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 wanted to add another tip that helped me with ID.me verification - if you wear glasses in your driver's license photo, make sure you're wearing the SAME glasses (or very similar ones) when taking the selfie. I kept failing because my license photo had my old black frames but I was wearing different glasses for the selfie. ID.me's facial recognition is really picky about matching the photo exactly. Also, don't smile too much in the selfie if you weren't smiling in your license photo. These little details make a huge difference!

I went through this exact situation a few months ago and was worried about the same thing! What really helped ease my mind was learning that the employer notification is handled through their payroll/HR department, not individual managers. So even if you do apply back there later, the person interviewing you probably won't have any knowledge of your unemployment claim unless they specifically went digging through HR records (which would be pretty unusual). The whole process is way more private than I initially thought. Just make sure you're honest about your reason for leaving when you file - that's the one thing they can see and respond to if it doesn't match their records.

I was in a similar boat after getting laid off from a mid-size company last year. What really helped me was understanding that most employers get so many of these notifications (especially during layoff periods) that it's just routine paperwork for them. The HR person who handles unemployment claims probably processes dozens of these and it's completely separate from hiring decisions. I actually did end up reapplying to my former company about 8 months later and got the job - the hiring manager had no idea I'd filed unemployment and it never came up. The key thing is that unemployment is literally designed for situations like layoffs, so there's no stigma from the employer's perspective. It's just part of doing business. Don't let worry about this stop you from filing if you're eligible - you paid into the system and deserve the benefits.

I had success filing my self-employment claim but only after I got help reaching a NYS Department of Labor agent by phone. The online system kept rejecting my application and I couldn't figure out why. Turns out I was categorizing my income type wrong. If you're having trouble getting through to someone, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. Saved me weeks of calling and getting hung up on.

Just make sure you have your Social Security earnings record too. Sometimes there's a mismatch between what you reported and what's in their system, especially if you had some W-2 work mixed with self-employment.

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to get through for 3 weeks about a payment issue and it's beyond frustrating. Reading through all these suggestions is really helpful though. I think I'm going to try the multi-pronged approach - contact my state rep tomorrow morning, then try calling during those mid-morning hours that Aidan suggested, and if that doesn't work I'll look into the Claimyr service as a last resort. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to talk to someone about our own benefits, but at least there are some actual solutions here instead of just "keep calling." Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just wanted to add one more option that helped me get some movement on my case - I filed a complaint with the NY Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations through their website. It's under the "Report Fraud or Get Help" section. They're supposed to respond within 10 business days for payment issues. I submitted mine 3 days ago so still waiting to see if it works, but figured it's worth mentioning as another free option to try alongside the state rep contact and early morning calling strategies. The form asks for your claim details and specific issue, so have all your info ready. Really hoping one of these methods works for all of us dealing with this mess!

If it's just a weekly cert issue you might be able to fix it online through your my.ny.gov account. Check if there's a pending questionnaire or something you missed.

I had success getting through by calling the 888-209-8124 number right at 8:00 AM on a Wednesday. The key is to call exactly when they open - I actually started dialing at 7:59 AM. Still had to wait about 45 minutes but that's way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting when calling later in the day. Also make sure you have all your info ready - claim number, SSN, PIN, and details about what happened with your certification. The agent was actually really helpful once I got through and was able to see exactly why my cert was rejected (I had accidentally put the wrong dates for a part-time job). Good luck!