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!

Did you manage to get your certification done? The site was having maintenance issues last night.

Just wanted to add that if you're dealing with a busy interview schedule like the original poster, you can also certify online from your phone using the mobile site. I've done this between interviews when I couldn't get to a computer. The mobile interface is pretty straightforward and saves you from missing deadlines when life gets hectic. Good luck with the job search!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation - 7 weeks in adjudication and feeling completely helpless. The financial stress is overwhelming when you're doing everything right but the system just fails you. I've tried calling every day, sometimes multiple times, and either get disconnected or told they can't provide any updates. What's really frustrating is that there's no transparency about what's actually causing the delay or even a realistic timeline for resolution. I've been documenting everything like others suggested, but it feels like we're all just stuck waiting while bills pile up. Has anyone had success with escalating through supervisors when you do get through to someone?

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the 8 week wait is absolutely unacceptable, especially when you're facing eviction. While suing NYS DOL is extremely difficult (they have sovereign immunity protections), there are some immediate steps that might help. First, definitely contact your state senator and assembly member's offices - their constituent services can sometimes get DOL to respond faster. Second, try reaching out to legal aid organizations in your area - they often know specific advocacy tactics for unemployment delays. Third, consider filing a complaint with the New York State Comptroller's office about the processing delays. Document everything with timestamps and reference numbers. The system is broken, but most people do eventually get their benefits with back pay. Don't give up certifying weekly even while waiting - you'll lose those weeks if you stop. Hang in there!

I'm currently on day 3 of business days waiting for my employer to respond after being laid off from my hostess position at a local diner. They had to reduce staff because foot traffic has been really slow this winter. Reading through all these experiences from people in similar restaurant situations is giving me so much hope! It sounds like these types of layoffs due to business slowdowns are exactly what unemployment benefits are designed to cover, and the 10 business day rule seems pretty consistent based on everyone's timelines. I've already started doing my weekly certifications after seeing how important that is for getting full backpay once approved. The financial anxiety is definitely starting to set in, but this community has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines - it really helps to know so many others in the restaurant industry are going through this same process and that most legitimate layoffs seem to get approved once that employer deadline passes!

I'm currently on day 6 of business days waiting for my employer to respond to my unemployment claim. I was laid off from my line cook position when the restaurant had to cut kitchen staff due to dramatically reduced orders after the holidays. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! It's clear that restaurant industry layoffs like ours are typically straightforward cases for approval once that 10 business day employer deadline passes. I've been staying consistent with my weekly certifications after seeing how crucial that is for securing full backpay. The financial pressure while waiting is definitely stressful when you're trying to cover basic expenses, but this community thread has given me so much confidence that legitimate business-related layoffs like ours usually get resolved favorably. Thanks to everyone for sharing their detailed timelines and experiences - it really helps to see people at different stages of this same process and know that we're not alone in dealing with the anxiety of waiting for claim approval!

Just make sure you keep up with your job search log and weekly certifications. That's what actually matters for staying eligible. NYS Department of Labor is more concerned about whether you're actively looking for work than anything else.

This is really helpful information everyone! I was also wondering about this when I first applied. One thing I'd add is that if you're concerned about your specific situation, you can always call the NYS Department of Labor directly or check their FAQ section on unemployment eligibility. The main things they care about are that you're able to work, available for work, and actively searching for employment. The drug testing worry is totally understandable but as others have confirmed, it's not part of their standard process.