Has anyone tried going to an actual unemployment office in person? Are they even open?

I feel your pain Emma! I was stuck in the exact same nightmare for 2.5 months. Calling hundreds of times, getting that same automated rejection message every single day. What finally broke the cycle for me was using Claimyr - I was skeptical at first because I'd tried everything else, but it actually worked. They handle all the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit there pressing redial all day. When they finally got me connected to a real person, my benefits were unlocked within 48 hours. Sometimes you just need that one actual conversation with a human to fix everything. Hang in there, there are ways to get through this broken system!

I was in a very similar situation last year! My benefits ended in February while I was working part-time at a retail job making about $580/week. I was nervous about applying for a new claim because I wasn't sure if my part-time wages would be enough to qualify. I ended up applying online and was approved for a new benefit year! The key things that helped me were: 1) I had been working consistently for about 4-5 months before my original benefits ended, 2) I made sure to have all my pay stubs organized before starting the application, and 3) I was completely honest about all my earnings. My new weekly benefit amount was lower than my original claim (since it's based on more recent, lower earnings), but it was still worth it given that I was only working part-time. Just make sure when you certify each week that you report your exact earnings - even being off by a few dollars can cause issues. The application process took about 3 weeks for me to get a decision, so try to be patient. Good luck - it sounds like you have a solid work history since November that should help your case!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! My benefits ended while I was working part-time making around $590 per week. I was really worried about applying for a new claim because I didn't understand how the base period calculations worked. Here's what I learned: Since you've been working since November 2024, you should definitely have enough quarters of earnings to qualify for a new claim. The NY DOL looks at your earnings from the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. With consistent part-time work since November, you should meet their requirements. A few tips from my experience: 1) Apply online as soon as possible - don't wait, 2) Have all your pay stubs ready and organized by date, 3) Be prepared for the one-week waiting period (it's unpaid), and 4) Your new benefit amount will likely be based on your recent part-time earnings, so it might be lower than your previous claim. The hardest part for me was actually getting through to speak with someone when I had questions, but the online application process itself was straightforward. You're definitely not alone in this situation - lots of people are working part-time while trying to transition back to full-time work. Best of luck with your application!

This is such valuable information for everyone in this community! I'm a newcomer here but have been dealing with unemployment issues in NY for months. Reading through this thread really opened my eyes to options I didn't know existed. I had no idea you could potentially file a new claim based on part-time work earnings during your benefit year - that's not explained clearly anywhere on the NYSDOL website. For others who might be in similar situations, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Check your benefit year end date first, 2) If you worked part-time during your claim and earned enough across multiple quarters, you might qualify for a special override, and 3) You'll likely need to speak to an actual agent since the online system can't handle these cases. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world knowledge is exactly what we need more of in these government services communities!

As someone who just joined this community, I can't thank you all enough for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm currently 8 months into my unemployment claim and getting nervous about potentially exhausting my benefits before finding work. Reading about the part-time work option is eye-opening - I had been avoiding any work because I was scared it would complicate my claim, but now I see it might actually be smart to pick up some hours while I can. One question for those who've been through this: when you report part-time earnings, does NYSDOL automatically track whether you're building up enough quarters/earnings for a potential future claim, or is that something you have to monitor yourself? I want to make sure I'm strategic about any work I take on so I don't end up in the same scary situation of having no options when my benefits run out.

Don't forget you also can't be receiving other types of compensation that might affect your eligibility. Things like severance pay, vacation payouts, or disability payments can impact when you can start collecting or how much you get. Make sure to report all income when you file your initial claim.

Just wanted to add that the waiting week requirement has been waived in New York, so you can potentially start receiving benefits immediately after your claim is approved if you meet all other requirements. Also, make sure you file your claim online through the NY.gov portal - it's faster than calling and you'll get confirmation of your submission. The system will walk you through calculating your base period wages, so have your pay stubs or W-2 ready when you apply. Good luck with your claim!

Just want to add that if you're really strapped for cash while waiting, check if NY has any emergency assistance programs available. I know some people who got help through local food banks and utility assistance programs while their unemployment was stuck in processing. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you to local resources. It won't solve the unemployment issue but might help with immediate bills while you wait for this bureaucratic nightmare to sort itself out.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I see you found that employment verification notification! I had the exact same thing happen - ID.me went through fine but then I was stuck for weeks. Turns out they needed my employment docs too but the notification was buried in a tiny corner of the dashboard. Once I uploaded my W-2 and last few paystubs, it took exactly 8 business days for everything to activate and my first payment to process. The weekly certification button appeared first, then about 3 days later the actual money hit my account. Make sure you certify every week even while waiting - you can backdate missed weeks but it's easier to stay current. The whole process is incredibly frustrating but you're on the right track now!