Glad you got it sorted out! The VPN issue is actually pretty common with ID.me - their system flags VPN traffic as potentially suspicious which can cause verification to stall. For anyone else reading this thread who might be stuck at the same spot, here's a quick checklist that usually helps: ✓ Use Chrome or Firefox (avoid Safari/Edge) ✓ Set browser zoom to 100% ✓ Disable VPN and any privacy extensions temporarily ✓ Use natural lighting or a bright lamp ✓ Make sure all four corners of your ID are visible in the photo ✓ Clear browser cache before starting If you're still having issues after trying these steps, the video verification call option through ID.me support is usually the fastest backup solution. The whole process has definitely gotten more reliable over the past year, but these technical hiccups still happen occasionally.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in tech support - the ID.me verification issues you experienced are super common and it's great that you got it resolved! For future reference, another thing that can cause problems is having multiple tabs open with the same site. ID.me sessions can conflict with each other if you have the NY unemployment portal open in multiple browser tabs. Also, if anyone is still having trouble after trying all the browser fixes mentioned here, you can actually call ID.me support directly at 1-855-438-3291. Their phone support is usually faster than the chat option, especially during business hours. They can walk you through the verification process step by step or set up the video call verification immediately. The whole system definitely needs to be more user-friendly, but at least there are workarounds when it gets stuck!

The whole system is a mess honestly. I've been unemployed for 2 months and still dealing with adjudication issues. Even when the system is 'open' half the time it doesn't work properly.

I've been dealing with the same frustration! One tip that helped me - if you're getting errors during the Sunday morning maintenance window (2-6 AM), try using the mobile app instead of the website. Sometimes one works when the other doesn't. Also, make sure you're using the correct login credentials - I had issues because I was mixing up my NY.gov account with my old unemployment login. The system can be really picky about browser settings too, so try clearing your cache or using incognito mode if you keep hitting walls.

One more thing - your benefit year is exactly 52 weeks from when you first filed, but you can only collect for up to 26 of those weeks. So if you find work and then get laid off again within that same benefit year, you might be able to reopen your claim instead of filing a new one. Just something to keep in mind for planning purposes.

Just to add to what everyone's saying - make sure you also know about the waiting week! In NY there's usually a one-week waiting period before you start receiving benefits, so your first payable week is actually the second week after you file. Also, if you're in construction like the original poster, you might want to look into whether your union has any additional resources or job placement services that could help with your search requirements. The building trades often have their own networks that can count toward your job contacts.

Yes, attending job fairs absolutely counts as a work search activity! Other qualifying activities include: • Submitting job applications/resumes • Having job interviews • Registering with employment agencies • Meeting with career counselors • Taking civil service exams • Networking events specifically for job search • Creating profiles on job boards like Indeed/LinkedIn • Taking workshops through NY Career Centers Just make sure you document everything with dates, names of events/companies, and any contacts you made.

Just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year - make sure to save confirmation numbers for EVERYTHING. When you file your initial claim, save that confirmation number. When you certify weekly, screenshot the confirmation page. When you do work search activities, keep records with dates and details. I had a friend who had issues with their claim and the DOL asked for proof of when they certified for certain weeks. Having those confirmation numbers saved her from weeks of back-and-forth trying to resolve the issue. The system can be glitchy sometimes and having your own records is a lifesaver. Also, if you're tech-savvy, consider setting up calendar reminders for your weekly certifications. Missing even one week can cause delays in your payments that are really hard to fix later.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at NYSDOL! You all were right about effective days increasing as benefits are used, but there WAS actually an error in my case. Somehow the system had duplicated several of my weekly certifications, counting them twice. The representative fixed it and my effective days are now showing correctly at 44. Thank you all for your help - I never would have known to check without this forum!

Wow, this is such a helpful thread! I've been on NY unemployment for about 6 weeks now and had no idea what the effective days counter meant. Mine is showing 24 which makes sense now - 6 weeks x 4 days = 24. I was actually worried it meant I only had 24 days left total! It's crazy how confusing their system is and how they don't explain any of this clearly on the website. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps newcomers like me understand what's normal vs what needs attention.