Ok everyone, I FINALLY got through this morning at 8:02am! The wait was only 17 minutes instead of 2+ hours. The issue was that they needed additional verification for my identity (exactly what you mentioned @user7). They're sending me a link to upload documents. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Congrats on getting through @Maya! That's such a relief after all that frustration. For anyone else still struggling - I've had success with the early morning strategy too. Also wanted to add that if you're dealing with identity verification issues, make sure your documents are recent (within the last 6 months) and that all text is clearly readable. I had to resubmit mine twice because the first photos were too blurry. The whole process took about 10 business days once I got the documents right.

One thing to add - make sure your cousin applies as soon as possible after his layoff. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get paid for that first week. Also, he'll need to have his employer information ready (like his last day of work, reason for separation, etc.) when he files online at labor.ny.gov. The sooner he gets his claim in, the sooner he can start receiving those 26 weeks of benefits. Construction workers often have good wage histories so he should qualify for a decent weekly benefit amount.

Just to clarify something that might help your cousin - the 26 weeks is based on when you first file your claim, not when you actually start receiving benefits. So even with that one-week waiting period, he still gets the full 26 weeks of payable benefits within his benefit year. Also, since he worked construction, he should know that seasonal workers sometimes have different considerations, but with 3 years of steady work at the same company, that shouldn't be an issue for him. The key is to file immediately and keep up with the weekly certifications even if his first payment is delayed.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if anyone else is reading this and facing the same problem, make sure you check if your state has any "good cause" exceptions for work search requirements. Sometimes life circumstances (like lack of transportation, caring for family members, or technical issues with job sites) can be valid reasons for not meeting the exact requirements. Also, I noticed some people mentioned using online services to get through to unemployment offices - just be careful about giving personal info to third-party services. The official NYSDOL website has a callback feature that might be safer to try first. Kaiya, I'm rooting for you in your appeal! The fact that you were genuinely trying to find work and have documentation should work in your favor.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might help others avoid this situation in the future. I learned the hard way that NY has very specific requirements about HOW you document your work search activities. It's not enough to just do them - you need to log them correctly in their system. When you certify for benefits each week, there's a section where you have to enter your work search activities. Many people (including me initially) would just check "yes" that they did their searches without filling in the detailed information for each activity. The system actually tracks whether you're providing specific details like employer names, dates, and method of contact for each search. Also, if you're applying through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, make sure to keep the confirmation emails or screenshots showing the date and time you applied. Some employers don't respond to applications through these platforms, so the DOL might question whether your application was actually received. The good news is that the appeals process really does work if you have your documentation together. I've seen people win even when they made honest mistakes about the requirements. The key is showing that you were genuinely trying to find work and not just gaming the system.

2 weeks is actually pretty normal from what I've seen. My sister just got approved last month and it took exactly 15 days from when she filed to when she got her first payment

I'm in the same boat - filed 3 weeks ago and still waiting. What helped me was creating an account on the NY.gov job search site and making sure I was registered there, even though they don't always tell you this is required. Also, if you were laid off or terminated, sometimes they need to contact your former employer to verify the reason for separation, which can add extra time. Hang in there, most people do eventually get approved and receive back pay for all the weeks they were waiting.

The waiting is the worst part honestly. I remember refreshing my account like every hour when I first applied. Just try to be patient and make sure all your information was accurate when you filed.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 8 days ago and still showing "under review." The anxiety is real when you're waiting on money you desperately need! From what I've been reading online, most people seem to get their determination within 2 weeks if it's a straightforward layoff situation. Try to stay positive and definitely follow the advice about filing your weekly claims even while waiting. I've been doing that since my first eligible week. Hang in there!