I remember being confused about this too when I filed. The separation date is important because it affects when your benefit year starts and how they calculate your base period wages. Getting it wrong could delay your first payment or mess up your benefit amount calculation.

I went through this same situation a few months ago when I was laid off from my warehouse job. The key thing to remember is that the separation date should match what your employer reports to NYS Department of Labor - they get a copy of your claim and can dispute if the dates don't align. If you're unsure, check your final paystub or any layoff paperwork they gave you, as it usually shows your last work day. December 12th sounds right based on what you described, but definitely keep any documentation just in case they ask for verification later.

I'm going through the same thing right now - been in adjudication for about 10 days and it's nerve-wracking not knowing what's happening. The advice here about continuing to file weekly claims even during adjudication is really helpful, I almost made that mistake too. Has anyone had experience with how they notify you once the adjudication is complete? Do they send an email or do you just have to keep checking the portal?

I went through this exact same thing last month - the uncertainty is the worst part! In my case, adjudication took about 4 weeks total. What helped me was setting up notifications on my phone to check the portal every morning and evening so I wouldn't obsess over it throughout the day. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have all your employment documentation ready (pay stubs, separation letter, etc.) in case they request anything. The good news is that layoffs due to company downsizing are usually pretty straightforward cases, so you're likely just waiting in the queue rather than dealing with a complicated review.

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating issue right now! Completed my ID.me verification 4 days ago, got all the confirmation emails and that green checkmark, but the phone system is STILL telling me I need to verify when I call. It's so stressful when you're depending on these benefits! This thread has been a lifesaver though - I had no idea this was such a widespread problem. I was starting to think I had somehow messed up during the verification process. Just tried the web portal at labor.ny.gov like everyone suggested and was able to certify successfully even though the phone system is still acting up. What a huge relief! It's honestly ridiculous that NY still hasn't fixed this ID.me integration issue when it's clearly affecting so many people on a regular basis. But I'm really grateful for this community sharing experiences and workarounds. Definitely bookmarking that technical support number (855-829-3674) in case I need it if this takes longer than the 7 business days they mentioned. Thanks everyone for making me feel less alone in dealing with this broken system!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Just completed my ID.me verification 2 days ago and I'm still getting that automated message when I call the unemployment line. It's so frustrating because I did everything correctly and got all the confirmation emails, but their system just won't recognize it. This thread has been incredibly helpful though - I was starting to panic that I had somehow messed up the verification process. Reading everyone's experiences is really reassuring that this is just a common glitch with NY's system. Just tried the web portal at labor.ny.gov like so many people suggested and I was able to certify successfully even though the phone system is still being stubborn! It's honestly crazy that this ID.me integration issue is still happening so frequently in 2025 when it's clearly affecting tons of people every week. But I'm really grateful for this community helping each other navigate these frustrating system problems. Definitely saving that technical support number (855-829-3674) just in case I need it if this takes longer than expected. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and making me feel less alone in dealing with this mess!

This sounds like it could be legitimate! I went through something similar last year where my benefits increased unexpectedly. It turned out that NY unemployment had received additional wage data from my previous employer that wasn't included in my original calculation. They automatically recalculate benefits when they get more complete wage information, which can result in higher weekly payments and increased maximum benefit amounts. That said, I'd definitely recommend getting confirmation from an agent just to be safe - I know it's nearly impossible to get through by calling normally, but like others have mentioned, services like claimyr.com can help you actually connect with someone. Better to verify now than deal with potential overpayment issues later!

I actually just went through something very similar! My weekly benefit jumped from $380 to $445 about a month ago with no explanation. I was paranoid it was an error too, but after finally getting through to someone (took forever), they explained that they do periodic recalculations based on updated wage data from employers. Apparently my previous job had submitted some corrected wage information that bumped up my benefit calculation. The agent confirmed it was legit and I didn't need to worry about paying anything back. Still nerve-wracking when it happens out of nowhere though! I'd definitely try to get confirmation just for peace of mind - even though the phone system is a nightmare.

Make sure your employer gives you all the right paperwork when they lay you off. Sometimes companies try to make it seem like you quit or got fired for performance issues to avoid their unemployment insurance rates going up. Document everything and keep copies of any layoff notices or communications about the reduction in force.

Hey Ellie, I went through this same situation last year and wanted to share a few tips that helped me. First, don't wait until your last day to gather your documents - start collecting pay stubs, your Social Security card, and employment records now while you still have access to everything. The NYS DOL website has a helpful checklist of what you'll need. Also, if your company offers any severance package, make sure you understand how that might affect your unemployment benefits timing. Some severance payments can delay when your benefits start. The good news is that retail workers definitely qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements, and 8 months should be enough work history. Hang in there - the process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not too bad once you get started.