@OP - were you able to get through to someone? If you're still stuck, I also had luck emailing my local state assembly member's office. They have special liaisons at unemployment who can sometimes expedite these cases, especially when there's a technical issue like ID.me verification problems.

Great to see this got resolved! For anyone else who might face a similar name mismatch issue with ID.me verification, here's a quick summary of what worked: 1. Try the Claimyr service to actually reach an agent (seems to be the most reliable way based on this thread) 2. Have your legal name change documents ready when you call 3. The agent can update your name in the NYSDOL system and provide an ID.me workaround 4. Keep certifying weekly even while dealing with the issue 5. As backup options: contact ID.me support directly, try the technical support line at 1-855-528-5618, or reach out to your state representative The key seems to be getting past that initial phone barrier - once you talk to an actual person, they can usually resolve the name mismatch pretty quickly. Really helpful thread for anyone dealing with expired benefit years and verification problems!

Don't forget about New York State Disability Insurance if you're temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. It's separate from unemployment but might provide some income while you're recovering. You pay into it through payroll deductions so you might be eligible even if you don't qualify for UI.

I work in HR and deal with these questions a lot. The key thing to understand is that New York has two separate systems: unemployment insurance (UI) through NYS Department of Labor and temporary disability insurance (TDI). If you can't work due to health issues, TDI is usually the better option - it pays up to 50% of your average weekly wage for up to 26 weeks. You're eligible if you've been paying into the system through payroll deductions. For UI, you'd need to prove you can work within your medical restrictions and are actively seeking jobs you can physically perform. The confusion comes from people calling disability benefits "medical unemployment" when they're really different programs with different eligibility rules.

works fine for me! been using it to pay my roommate rent since i lost my job. no issues with DOL or anything

I've been using my KeyBank unemployment card with Cash App for about 3 months now with no problems at all. The setup was pretty straightforward - just added it like any regular debit card. One thing I noticed is that Cash App sometimes takes a small fee for instant transfers, so I usually just do the free standard transfer that takes 1-3 business days. Haven't had any issues with NYS Department of Labor either - they don't seem to care what you do with the money once it's on your card, as long as you're meeting your other unemployment requirements.

Keep filing your weekly claims even if your employer contests! A lot of people stop filing thinking they have to wait for the decision but you'll lose those weeks if you don't certify. You can always pay back overpayments later if needed but you can't go back and claim weeks you missed.

Just wanted to add that if your employer does contest the claim, don't panic! I went through adjudication last year and it took about 3-4 weeks to get a determination. The fact that you have documentation about the safety issues you reported could actually work in your favor - retaliation for reporting workplace safety violations is illegal and can strengthen your case. NYS Department of Labor adjudicators do consider the circumstances around terminations. Keep detailed records of everything and stay on top of your weekly certifications like Santiago mentioned. The process is stressful but manageable if you stay organized.

I've been dealing with this nightmare for over a month now! Tried everything - calling at different times, using multiple phone numbers, even had my mom try calling from her landline. The "higher than normal call volume" message is such a joke at this point. I'm seriously considering that paid service @Paige Cantoni mentioned because I'm losing my mind here. Has anyone tried showing up in person at a local office? I know they prefer phone calls but I'm desperate. Also wondering if there's a specific time of day that works better - like maybe right after lunch when some people might have given up for the day? This whole system is broken and we're the ones suffering for it. 😡

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying for almost 2 weeks and it's incredibly frustrating. I've been following some of the advice here - trying to call right at 8am, staying on hold even when it says long wait times, and being persistent. Yesterday I tried calling 28 times throughout the day with no luck. I'm seriously considering that paid service @Paige Cantoni mentioned because at this point my time and sanity are worth way more than $20. Has anyone noticed if certain days of the week are better than others? I was thinking maybe mid-week might be less busy than Mondays when everyone's trying to call after the weekend. This whole situation is just unacceptable - we shouldn't have to jump through hoops like this to access services we're entitled to!