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I went through a similar appointment about 3 months ago. Definitely echo what everyone else said about bringing copies of everything - ID, Social Security card, all pay stubs, any termination paperwork. One thing I'd add is to bring your cell phone with access to your email in case they need you to show them any electronic correspondence on the spot. Also, arrive about 15 minutes early because parking can be tricky at some of these offices and you don't want to be stressed rushing in. The caseworker I met with was actually really understanding and walked me through exactly what was holding up my claim. Write down any questions you have beforehand so you don't forget to ask them during the meeting!
Just had my appointment last week and wanted to share what worked for me! In addition to all the great document advice already mentioned, I'd suggest writing down a clear timeline of events leading to your unemployment - dates of hire, layoff, any relevant details. The caseworker really appreciated having everything organized chronologically. Also, if you've been doing any freelance or temporary work while unemployed (even if it's minimal income), bring records of that too. They need to see the full picture of your employment situation. The whole process was actually less intimidating than I expected once I got there. Wishing you luck with your appointment on Tuesday!
That's a really smart approach with the timeline! I wish I had thought of organizing everything chronologically before my appointment. It probably would have made the whole process go much smoother. The point about documenting any freelance work is crucial too - I've heard they can get really strict about unreported income, even if it's just a few dollars here and there. Thanks for sharing your experience and making this feel less scary for those of us still waiting for our appointments!
@Jade Santiago That s'amazing you got it resolved! I m'in the exact same boat - been fighting with ID.me for over a week and getting nowhere. The video chat queue keeps timing out on me too. How much did Claimyr charge? I ve'been hesitant about paying for help but honestly at this point I m'willing to try anything. The stress of missing payments is killing me!
@Jade Santiago So glad you got through! I m'dealing with the same ID.me mess right now. For anyone else stuck - I just tried the in-person office visit that @Caleb Stone mentioned and it worked! Went to the Brooklyn office on Livingston Street, waited about an hour, but the rep was able to manually verify my identity and clear the ID.me block. They said it should be resolved within 2-3 business days. Worth trying if you have an office nearby!
For anyone still struggling with ID.me - I went through this nightmare last month and here's what finally worked: First, make sure you're using a desktop/laptop with Chrome browser (mobile cameras often cause issues). Second, the lighting is CRUCIAL - I had to try like 6 different spots in my house before finding one with even, natural light. Third, clear your browser cache completely before starting. And most importantly - if your ID has any wear, scratches, or the photo is faded, it will likely fail. I had to get a replacement license even though mine wasn't technically expired because the photo was too worn. The whole process is frustrating but once you get the right setup it usually works on the first try.
Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! My former employer claimed I was terminated for "insubordination" when really I was just asking questions about unsafe working conditions. The hearing was less intimidating than I expected - it was done over the phone and lasted about 30 minutes. The judge asked me to explain my side first, then my employer presented their case. I had screenshots of our text conversations and my original job description which helped prove I wasn't being insubordinate. Won the case and got all my back benefits. The key is having documentation and staying calm during questioning. Good luck with your hearing!
That's really encouraging to hear! I'm glad you were able to document everything with texts and job descriptions. I'm realizing I should probably gather up any emails or messages I have from my manager about my performance. Did you have a lawyer or represent yourself? I'm trying to figure out if I need legal help or if I can handle this on my own like you did.
I went through something similar last year with a retail chain that contested my claim. What I learned is that some companies have automated systems that flag ANY termination for a contest, regardless of the actual circumstances. They're banking on people not showing up to defend themselves. For your hearing, focus on the fact that your termination letter specifically says "poor performance" - that's actually great documentation in your favor since poor performance typically doesn't constitute misconduct under NY law. The burden is on them to prove you committed willful misconduct, not just that you weren't meeting expectations. Document everything you can remember about your final weeks there and any conversations with management. You've got this!
hi everyone quick question thats kind of related but a bit different... if i only certified for unemployment for 1 day of work missed instead of the whole week, can i go back and fix that? sorry to hijack the thread but figured someone here might know
Update: I finally got through to NYSDOL after using Claimyr (thanks for the recommendation!). The agent reviewed my case and said they would allow me to certify for the missed weeks because I had documentation showing I was waiting for an eligibility determination and missed the notification. They're backdating 9 weeks! I have to wait 2-3 weeks for processing but at least it's approved. For anyone else in this situation - definitely call, have documentation ready, and be polite but persistent!
Great outcome! This is exactly why it's always worth pursuing these issues with NYSDOL rather than assuming nothing can be done. Documentation is absolutely key in these situations.
Isabella Oliveira
I've been getting NYS unemployment through Ally Bank for about 2 months now and mine consistently shows up around 5-6 AM on Tuesdays. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when rent is due - I completely feel your stress! Since your claim shows processed, you're definitely going to get paid. One thing that helped me was setting up account alerts for deposits over my unemployment amount so I'd get a text the moment it hit instead of constantly refreshing. Also, many banks have a "pending deposits" or "scheduled transfers" section where you can see ACH payments before they officially post. I'd also suggest giving your landlord a quick heads up about the Tuesday morning timing - most are pretty understanding about unemployment payment schedules. NYS Department of Labor is actually one of the more reliable states once you're in the system, even though everything else about unemployment is a nightmare to navigate!
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Isabella Brown
•Thanks for mentioning Ally Bank's timing! It's so helpful to see the consistency across different banks - seems like 4-6 AM is the sweet spot for most. I just set up deposit alerts on my phone after reading everyone's suggestions and I already feel less anxious. The pending deposits section tip has been a lifesaver too - I can actually see my payment queued up now! It's amazing how much better this whole process feels when you know what to expect. Really appreciate you and everyone else sharing your experiences - makes me feel way less alone in this unemployment journey.
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Mohammad Khaled
I bank with USAA and my NYS unemployment deposits hit around 3:30-4:00 AM every Tuesday morning - it's been super consistent for the 5 months I've been collecting. Since your claim shows processed, you're golden! I totally get the rent anxiety though. Here's what helped me: first, enable push notifications for deposits in your banking app so you're not constantly checking. Second, most banks have a customer service line that's open 24/7 - you can call them and ask if they see any pending ACH deposits even if it doesn't show in your app yet. And honestly, don't feel bad about checking every hour - we've ALL done that! The first few weeks are nerve-wracking but NYS Department of Labor is actually pretty reliable once you're in their system. If you're really stressed about timing with rent, shoot your landlord a quick text letting them know you're expecting the deposit Tuesday morning. Most landlords understand unemployment payment schedules. You've got this!
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Fatima Al-Farsi
•USAA at 3:30-4 AM is amazing timing! That's even earlier than most of the other banks people mentioned. I'm definitely going to call my bank's 24/7 line tonight to see if they can tell me about pending deposits - that's such a smart workaround when the app doesn't show anything yet. It's honestly so comforting to hear from someone who's been doing this for 5 months that NYS Department of Labor really is reliable once you're established in the system. I was starting to spiral thinking I'd done something wrong, but it sounds like this first-time anxiety is totally normal. Thanks for the reassurance and the practical tips!
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