I'm in a similar situation - filed 10 days ago and still showing pending. This thread is really helpful to read through all your experiences! It's reassuring to know that 2-4 weeks seems to be the normal timeframe and that most people eventually get approved. I've been panicking thinking something was wrong with my application. Going to keep filing my weekly claims and try to be more patient with the process. Has anyone had luck calling early in the morning to get through to an agent, or is it pretty much always busy regardless of when you call?

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my claim 12 days ago after being laid off and it's still showing pending. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually making me feel a lot better - I was starting to think there was something seriously wrong with my application. It sounds like the 2-4 week timeframe is pretty standard, especially with the high volume they're processing. I've been religiously filing my weekly claims even though everything shows pending, so hopefully that will pay off when it finally gets approved. The hardest part is just the uncertainty and not knowing if you need to do anything else on your end. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - it really helps to know we're not alone in this waiting game!

I gave up on calling after 2 weeks of trying and used claimyr.com instead. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast. They basically keep calling the unemployment line for you and then connect you when they get through to a human. Total lifesaver when you're dealing with confusing letters like this!

I went through this exact same confusion with NY unemployment about 6 months ago! The mixed messages are unfortunately super common - I got a denial letter one day and then approval paperwork the next. What I learned is that the denial was usually for a specific week or issue (like the waiting week that everyone gets denied for), while the approval covers the rest of your claim. The appointment is actually a really good sign - they don't schedule those unless your claim has at least some validity. It's basically just them making sure you understand the work search requirements and how to use their system properly. Don't stress too much about it, just bring documentation of any job searches you've done and your ID. The whole system is incredibly confusing but you're probably in better shape than you think!

honestly i think theyre too busy to check most ppl unless u give them a reason to look closer. just keep decent records and dont claim benefits while working under the table or anything obvious like that

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CATCH YOU! They have algorithms that flag suspicious patterns and they WILL audit you if something looks off. I know someone who got disqualified because they couldn't prove half their job searches. Keep everything documented or you're screwed!

To answer your original question more specifically - you need both the $2,600 minimum AND wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period. You can check your wage history by logging into my.ny.gov and looking at your unemployment services account. This will show exactly what quarters NYS Department of Labor has on record for you.

One thing that might help clarify your base period - it's usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would typically be January 2024 through December 2024. But if you don't have enough wages in that period, you might be able to use an "alternate base period" which would be the last 4 completed quarters. The my.ny.gov portal should show you exactly which quarters they're using for your calculation once you log in.

Wow, reading through all these responses really shows how broken the NY unemployment system is. I'm dealing with something similar - ID.me verified me back in June and I'm still stuck in "pending" hell. It's insane that we all have to become experts in navigating bureaucracy just to get benefits we've paid into. From what everyone's saying, it sounds like the ID.me verification is just step one, and there can be multiple invisible holds on your account that only phone reps can see. Since you got that email about potential identity theft, you probably have a fraud flag that needs manual review. I'm definitely going to try that claimyr service everyone keeps mentioning - seems like it's worth the cost if it actually gets you through to a human. Also had no idea about contacting state senators until reading this thread. OP, don't give up! The system wants us to quit but we're entitled to these benefits. Keep certifying weekly and try every avenue people have suggested. This thread has been more helpful than months of trying to navigate the DOL website. We're all in this together!

This whole thread is incredibly eye-opening and frustrating at the same time. I'm a newcomer here but going through something very similar - ID.me verified me back in early August and I'm still stuck in that "pending" status with zero communication from DOL. Reading everyone's experiences makes it clear this isn't just bad luck, it's a systematically broken system designed to wear us down. What really gets me is that we're all having to crowdsource solutions to access benefits we've literally paid into through our paychecks. The fact that ID.me verification is apparently just the first step, and there can be multiple invisible holds that only phone reps can see, is absolutely ridiculous. No wonder so many people give up. I'm definitely going to try the claimyr service and contact my state senator based on all the success stories here. It's wild that these "hacks" aren't officially communicated anywhere. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share detailed advice - this thread has been more helpful than months of trying to navigate the DOL website on my own. OP, I really hope you get this resolved soon. The eviction threat adds such unnecessary stress to an already impossible situation. Keep fighting - we're all rooting for you!