THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!! I've been waiting for my unemployment for over a month and NYS Department of Labor just keeps giving me the runaround. They approved my claim then suddenly there's some mysterious hold that nobody can explain.

Check if you have any outstanding issues in your claim. Sometimes NYS Department of Labor puts a payment hold while they verify employment or resolve adjudication issues, but the system doesn't always show this clearly on the main dashboard.

make sure you keep track of your job search activities too!! they can ask for proof anytime and if you dont have it they'll stop your payments

Just went through this same process last month! The key things are: 1) File your weekly claims every Sunday-Saturday for the previous week, 2) Set up direct deposit in your my.ny.gov account (takes 1-2 business days to activate), and 3) Keep detailed records of your job search activities. I was also confused at first but once you get into the routine it's pretty straightforward. Your first payment should come within a few days of filing your weekly claim as long as everything is set up correctly.

This is such a common problem with the NY system! I had the exact same issue last month - logged in fine, then got locked out with "incorrect password" errors even though nothing changed. What finally worked for me was using an incognito/private browser window. Something about their session management gets confused when you log out and back in quickly. Also, if you're still having trouble, try logging in during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) - the system seems more stable then. Hope you got your certification done on time!

Ugh, I've been dealing with this exact same issue for weeks now! The NY unemployment system is seriously broken. What's worked for me is actually logging in through a completely different device - like if you've been using your phone, try a computer instead, or vice versa. Also, I noticed that sometimes the system gets "stuck" on your old session info, so waiting at least 2-3 hours before trying again helps. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through these hoops just to access our own accounts! I've started keeping a backup browser ready just for unemployment stuff because this happens so frequently.

That's excellent! Make sure to keep an eye on your payment history page over the next few days to confirm the payments process correctly. If you don't see movement within the 3 business days, follow up with another call using the same method that worked for you.

Congrats on getting through! That's such a relief after dealing with this for so long. I'm actually in a similar situation - my benefits have been pending since early March and I can't get anyone on the phone. Going to try that exact button sequence you mentioned tomorrow morning at 8am sharp. Quick question - when you say there was an identity verification flag, did you get any notification about that in your online account or was it completely invisible to you as the claimant? I'm wondering if I might have the same issue since I also submitted all my ID documents when I first applied but haven't heard anything back.

Hey Chris! I went through this exact same situation last year and it's so frustrating. Just to confirm what others have said - once you've exhausted your 26 weeks of benefits, you're done until your benefit year ends in May 2024. Filing a new claim now won't work because you're still in your current benefit year. The system is designed so you can only get one set of benefits per benefit year, regardless of whether you use them all at once or spread them out. Since you've been collecting since June 2023, you've likely hit that 26-week maximum. My advice: 1) Don't file a new claim yet - wait until after May 2024, 2) Document any part-time work you do between now and then as it might help you qualify for a new claim later, 3) Look into other assistance like SNAP, rental assistance, etc. to bridge the gap, and 4) If you really want confirmation from DOL, use one of those callback services people mentioned to actually get through to someone who can look at your specific account. It sucks but you're definitely not alone in this situation. The wait until May feels long but at least you'll know exactly when you can file again if you meet the work requirements. Hang in there! 💪

I'm in a similar boat and just wanted to share what I learned after finally getting through to someone at DOL. When your benefits are exhausted during your benefit year, you're basically in limbo until that year ends. The confusing part is that the system will still show your benefit year as "active" even though you can't collect anything more. One thing that might help while you wait - if you do any gig work or part-time employment between now and May, make sure those employers report your wages properly. When you file your new claim in May, having recent work history could make the difference between qualifying or not. Also, don't feel bad about applying for other assistance in the meantime. I know it feels weird after being on unemployment, but programs like SNAP are there for exactly this kind of gap. The application is actually pretty straightforward online. The waiting game sucks but at least you have a clear timeline now - May 2024 is when you can potentially file again. Just focus on job searching and documenting everything in case you need it later!