I'm currently in a similar situation - doing outpatient treatment while on unemployment. What helped me was being very clear about my availability when filing weekly claims. I always mark "yes" that I'm able and available for work, and I've been actively job searching around my treatment schedule. The treatment has actually made me more motivated to find stable employment. Just make sure you're genuinely available for work on your non-treatment days and keep documenting your job search efforts. You're doing the right thing by getting help - don't let fear of losing benefits stop you from taking care of yourself.

I work as a benefits counselor and can confirm that outpatient treatment should not disqualify you from unemployment benefits in NY. The key criteria is "able and available for work" - and since your program is only 12 hours per week, you clearly meet this standard. When you certify weekly, you'll answer yes to being available for work. If questioned, explain it's medical treatment that doesn't interfere with full-time employment. Many people receive unemployment while managing medical appointments, therapy, or other health needs. The fact that you're proactively addressing your health actually demonstrates responsibility that most employers would respect. Focus on your job search during your available hours and keep good records. You're making a positive choice for your future - don't let benefit concerns delay getting the help you need.

CALL THEM!!! Seriously, sitting around waiting won't fix it. My claim was stuck for 3 months until I finally got through. Use claimyr.com if u keep getting the busy signal

Hey NebulaNova! I went through almost the exact same thing last year - approved in July but didn't see a penny until November. Turns out there was an identity verification issue they never told me about. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Log into your account and check if there's any pending correspondence or questionnaires 2. Look for any "eligibility review" notices 3. Make sure your direct deposit info is correct 4. Call the claims center early morning (like 8:01 AM sharp) The good news is YES you'll get all your backpay once they resolve whatever's holding it up. I got like $2,800 dropped into my account all at once. Keep certifying every week no matter what - that's super important for getting your full backpay. Don't give up, you're not alone in this! 💪

The unemployment rate stuff is all political anyway. They manipulate the numbers to make things look better than they are. I've been looking for work for 4 months and there's nothing out there that pays decent wages.

Just wanted to add that even though NY's unemployment rate is relatively low at 4.2%, don't let that discourage you from your search. The rate measures people actively looking for work, but it doesn't capture underemployment or people who've given up searching. Keep documenting those 3 weekly job contacts properly - I learned the hard way that they do spot-check compliance. Also, start thinking about backup plans for after week 26 since extended benefits are unlikely with current rates. Maybe look into workforce development programs or training opportunities that might be available through your local One-Stop Career Center while you're still collecting.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - down to my last week of benefits with months left until my BYE date. From what I've researched and heard from others here, it sounds like we're basically stuck until either we qualify for a new claim (which requires significant work history since filing) or wait until the BYE date. Has anyone had success with getting temporary assistance programs to bridge the gap? I'm worried about the time it takes to get approved for things like SNAP and rental assistance. Also wondering if there are any local programs in NYC specifically that might help during this transition period. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - this whole system is so confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with job search anxiety!

I'm in a very similar boat - just got down to my last 2 weeks of benefits and my BYE date isn't until June. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful, especially about the 10x weekly benefit rule for qualifying for a new claim early. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my local workforce development center: if you do have some work history since filing but aren't sure if it's enough to qualify, DON'T guess! They told me that filing a new claim when you don't actually qualify can create a mess in the system that takes forever to untangle. Also, for anyone in a similar situation - I started the SNAP application process last week and they have an online pre-screening tool that gives you an idea if you'll qualify and for how much. It at least helps with planning while you wait for the full application to process. This whole system really needs to be clearer about what happens when you exhaust days before your BYE date. It's stressful enough being unemployed without having to decode all this bureaucracy! 😤

Update on the ID.me verification process in 2025: The NYSDOL system integration has improved somewhat from previous years. Most accounts now update within 48 hours, but there are still occasional delays during high-volume periods (like the beginning of each month). One thing to note is that after ID.me verification, your account security level changes, which sometimes requires a password reset. If your account is unlocked but you still can't access it, try the "Forgot Password" option and create a new password with the enhanced security requirements.

Glad to hear your account finally unlocked! For anyone still dealing with this issue, I went through the same thing a few months ago. Here's what I learned from my experience: The ID.me verification delay is usually on NYSDOL's end, not ID.me's. They have to manually sync the verification data with their legacy system, which is why it takes longer than the advertised 24 hours. A few additional tips: - Don't attempt to verify multiple times if it's taking long - this can actually delay the process further - Make sure your NY.gov account email matches exactly what you used for ID.me - If you changed your phone number recently, that can sometimes cause sync issues The system definitely needs improvement, but hang in there - it does eventually work. Most people I know had their accounts unlock within 2-3 days max.