I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Lost my wallet in a recent move and they're asking for all these documents I don't have. Reading through these comments is giving me hope though - sounds like they'll accept way more alternatives than they make it seem. I found my old work badge that has my photo and I think I can get my landlord to email me something official with my address. For SSN I'm going to try requesting my tax transcript from the IRS website like someone mentioned. The key seems to be uploading SOMETHING and then calling to explain (even if you have to use one of those callback services people keep mentioning). Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is more helpful than anything on the official DOL website!

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Just got the verification email yesterday and panicking because I also lost my wallet recently. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea they would accept things like expired passports or work IDs with photos. I think I can piece together what I need: I have an old student ID with my photo, my lease agreement for address proof, and I'm going to try downloading that IRS tax transcript someone mentioned for my SSN. It's reassuring to know so many people have gotten through this with creative document combinations. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official system feels impossible to navigate!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my new claim about 16 days ago and my balance is still showing $0 even though I got approved with a new benefit year end date. It's so stressful not knowing if this is normal or if something went wrong with my application. I've been certifying every week like everyone suggests, but seeing that zero balance is really anxiety-inducing when bills are piling up. Has anyone here had success with just waiting it out versus calling? I'm torn between being patient and worrying that there's actually a problem that needs to be fixed. Thanks for posting this - it helps to know others are going through the same thing!

I'm in the same boat as many of you here! Filed my new claim about 19 days ago and still showing $0 balance, but I did get the updated BYE date. The waiting is honestly the worst part because you never know if it's just slow processing or if there's actually an issue that needs attention. I've been religiously certifying every week even with the zero showing, and checking my inbox daily for that monetary determination letter everyone mentions. Still nothing yet! Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful - sounds like anywhere from 2-4 weeks seems to be the norm, which is longer than I expected but at least gives me a realistic timeline. I think I'll give it until the full 3 week mark before considering other options. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it definitely helps with the anxiety of not knowing what's normal!

I went through this exact situation when I had to shut down my small plumbing business due to a shoulder injury. The garden center job you mentioned is definitely your key to eligibility! NYS Department of Labor will calculate your benefits based on those W-2 wages, not your self-employment income. I'd recommend applying online as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start. Make sure you have your Social Security number, all W-2s from the past 18 months, and the exact dates you worked at the garden center. The system is actually pretty good at walking you through the questions about mixed employment. Even if your weekly benefit amount ends up being modest based on part-time wages, it can still provide crucial support while you're recovering. I was surprised that my part-time retail job from over a year ago was enough to qualify me for benefits when my main business had to close.

I just want to add my voice to everyone encouraging you to apply! I was self-employed as a freelance graphic designer and had to stop working due to severe migraines that made it impossible to look at screens for months. Like you, I had worked part-time at a local print shop while building my client base. That W-2 employment was exactly what made me eligible for unemployment benefits. The key thing I learned is that NYS Department of Labor doesn't care about your self-employment income at all - they only look at wages from employers who paid into the unemployment insurance system. So that garden center job is definitely worth pursuing! I'd suggest applying online during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when the system is less busy. The application will ask about all your employment in the past 18 months, so just be thorough and honest about both your self-employment and your W-2 work. Even if the weekly benefit isn't huge, it can be a real lifeline when you're unable to work due to injury.

This thread is such a great resource! As someone new to this community, I'm really impressed by how detailed and supportive everyone's responses are. The original poster's situation is unfortunately very common - I think a lot of people assume they'll find work quickly and delay filing for unemployment benefits. What strikes me most is how the community not only provided practical advice about NY's backdating policies and filing procedures, but also emotional support during what's clearly a stressful time. The follow-up posts showing the successful resolution with 3 weeks of backdating approved gives hope to others who might be in similar situations. For anyone else reading this, the key lessons seem to be: - File immediately when you become unemployed, even if you think it's temporary - NY allows backdating up to 4 weeks with "good cause" - Keep detailed records of your job search activities for weekly certification - Set up reminders for weekly benefit certification to avoid missing payments Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is invaluable for navigating these complex systems!

As someone who just joined this community, I have to say this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Reading through everyone's experiences with NY unemployment filing really highlights how important it is to have knowledgeable people willing to share what they've learned the hard way. The original poster's situation resonates with me because I think many of us would make that same mistake - assuming we'll find work quickly and not wanting to "burden the system" if we don't really need it. But it's clear from everyone's responses that unemployment benefits exist for exactly these situations, and there's no shame in using them when you're eligible. What really stands out to me is how this community provided both practical information (the 4-week backdating rule, good cause requirements, weekly certification reminders) AND emotional support throughout the process. The follow-up showing that 3 out of 6 weeks got approved proves that even when you make mistakes, acting quickly based on good advice can still salvage a difficult situation. For anyone else who might stumble across this thread in the future: don't wait! File immediately, be honest about why you delayed, and make sure to certify every single week going forward. This community has created a really valuable resource here.

This whole system is so backwards though. Like why should employers have to pay for unemployment when half the time people get fired for legitimate reasons? Just creates more costs for businesses trying to operate.

Thanks everyone for clarifying this! I had the same confusion when I started my first job. One thing to add - if you're ever unsure whether your employer is properly registered and paying UI taxes, you can also check your pay stub. While you won't see a deduction for unemployment insurance (since you don't pay it), legitimate employers will often list it in the "employer taxes" section or have it noted somewhere. Also, keep all your pay stubs - you'll need them if you ever have to file for unemployment benefits to prove your wages and work history.