Have you tried accessing the my.ny.gov site during off-peak hours? I found that early morning (like 6-7 AM) or late evening after 9 PM tends to work better when fewer people are using the system. The servers seem to get overloaded during regular business hours. Also, if you're still having the SSN verification issue after trying the browser suggestions, you might need to contact them about a potential identity verification problem - sometimes there's a mismatch between what's in their system and your actual records that only a human can fix.

@Ana Rusula - I had similar issues with the my.ny.gov site last year! In addition to the browser tips mentioned above, I'd also suggest trying to file your claim on a weekday between 6-8 AM when server traffic is lowest. If you're still having problems after trying different browsers and the SSN format fix, there's also a local American Job Center in Rochester at 200 Midtown Plaza that sometimes helps people troubleshoot online filing issues. They can't file claims directly for you anymore, but the staff there are pretty knowledgeable about common website problems. Also, make sure your popup blockers are disabled - that was blocking some verification screens for me. Hope this helps and you get it sorted out soon!

Based on your work history, you should definitely qualify for a new unemployment claim! Working from September 2024 to April 2025 gives you wages in multiple quarters (Q3 and Q4 of 2024, plus Q1 of 2025), which easily meets NY's requirements. I was in a similar situation - had an old claim from 2022, then worked for about 8 months before getting laid off again in early 2024. I was nervous about reapplying but it turned out to be straightforward. The system automatically calculates which base period gives you the best benefit rate, so you don't have to worry about that part. When you file, use your existing NY.gov account and select "File a New Claim" rather than trying to reopen your old one. Have your employment dates and employer info ready, but don't stress too much about the wage amounts since they pull that data from employer reports anyway. The hardest part honestly is just getting past the anxiety of navigating their website - once you actually start the application it's pretty step-by-step. Good luck!

Hey Rami! I was in almost the exact same boat last year - got laid off in late 2023, collected benefits, then worked a contract job from August 2024 until February 2025 when it ended. I was super worried about whether I'd qualify again but it turned out to be no problem at all! Your work from September 2024 to April 2025 definitely qualifies you for a new claim. Since you worked across multiple quarters (Q3 2024, Q4 2024, and Q1 2025), you easily meet the requirements. The system will automatically use whichever base period gives you the higher benefit amount. When I filed my new claim, I used my existing NY.gov login and selected "File a New Claim" - don't try to reopen your old one from 2023. The application asked for all my employment info from the past 18 months, so have your temp job details ready (start date, end date, employer info, reason for separation). One thing that surprised me was how much faster the process was the second time around - I think because all my basic info was already in the system. Got approved within about 10 days and payments started right after that. Don't stress too much about the wage calculations or whether you'll qualify - your work history clearly meets the requirements. The hardest part is just getting through their confusing website interface! You've got this.

ugh the whole immigration/unemployment thing is such a mess. I know someone who was in limbo for months waiting for their green card and couldn't work OR get benefits. really puts you in an impossible situation

This is such a stressful situation to be in. I went through something similar when my OPT was about to expire and my employer was dragging their feet on my H-1B application. From what I learned, NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about the work authorization requirement - you need to be legally authorized to work to receive benefits. Even though you've been paying in for 3 years, the eligibility rules focus on your current ability to accept work. I'd suggest documenting everything with your employer about the extension delay and maybe consulting with an immigration attorney who might know about any nuances or exceptions. Some people have mentioned that pending applications might affect things differently, but you'll need expert advice on that. Really hope your employer gets their act together soon!

wait so if i got unemployment do i need to file taxes even if i didnt work? i thought you only filed if you made over a certain amount

Just want to add for anyone still confused - make sure you keep a copy of your 1099-G form and any other unemployment documentation. The IRS sometimes has issues matching up the forms, so having your records is crucial. Also, if you received unemployment from multiple states or programs, you'll need to report all of them. I made the mistake of only reporting my NYS benefits and forgot about some federal pandemic assistance I got early in the year.

One important thing to note: If you believe your KeyBank debit card was lost in the mail or you accidentally discarded it, you should contact KeyBank directly at 1-866-295-2955 to report it and request a replacement. Don't wait too long if you suspect this happened, as benefits will continue to accumulate on the account even if you don't have the physical card. Also, once you receive the card, I strongly recommend setting up direct deposit for future payments if you have a bank account. It's much more convenient and secure than the debit card system.

Just wanted to share my recent experience - I received my KeyBank debit card last week and it came in exactly the kind of plain envelope everyone described. What helped me was that I signed up for USPS Informed Delivery (it's free) so I could see a preview of all my mail online each morning. That way I knew to look for the KeyBank envelope even though it looked like junk mail. The card itself was in a standard white business envelope with just "KeyBank" in the return address corner - no mention of unemployment or NY DOL anywhere on the outside. Definitely would have been easy to miss if I wasn't expecting it!