This thread is absolutely amazing - what a perfect example of how this community can solve problems that seem impossible when you're dealing with them alone! I just went through something similar last year with my triple-barreled last name (thanks to keeping both my maiden name AND my husband's hyphenated name from his parents' divorce - it's 21 characters total). The key insight from reading everyone's experiences is that there ARE solutions, but they're buried in bureaucratic procedures that frontline staff often don't know about. The fact that Code 117-N and "name field exception" terminology worked so quickly for @Natalia Stone shows these systems have workarounds - they're just not publicized. For anyone else dealing with this: document EVERYTHING. I kept screenshots of every error message, saved all my failed login attempts, and created a timeline of calls made. When I finally got through to someone who could help, having all that documentation made it clear that this was a system limitation, not user error. Also want to echo what others said about persistence - I probably called 30+ times over two weeks before getting someone who knew about these internal procedures. The system is definitely broken, but this community's collective knowledge is the best tool we have to navigate around those limitations!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who works in tech and has dealt with legacy government systems, I can tell you that these character limit issues are unfortunately very common. Most of these systems were built decades ago with fixed database field lengths that weren't designed for our increasingly diverse population. What's amazing is seeing how this community has collectively reverse-engineered the internal procedures that government workers use. Code 117-N, "name field exception," the identity verification line, even the Claimyr service - this is insider knowledge that would take most people months to figure out on their own. @Natalia Stone - your success story is going to help so many people! The fact that you went from denial to approval in just a few days once you had the right terminology proves that solutions exist, they're just hidden behind bureaucratic language. For anyone bookmarking this thread: I'd also recommend screenshotting the key details (phone numbers, codes, exact wording) because forum posts can sometimes disappear, but you'll want this information accessible when you're on hold with unemployment offices. This thread is honestly worth its weight in gold for anyone with a non-standard name situation.

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been super educational! I'm not dealing with a W9 situation myself, but I'm bookmarking this conversation because the explanations about timing (when work was performed vs when you get paperwork) are really clear. It seems like the key takeaway is that as long as you're honest on your initial application about past income, receiving tax forms later won't impact your ongoing weekly claims. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really helpful for those of us navigating this system for the first time!

I went through this exact same worry a few months ago! Got a W9 from some contract work I did over the summer, but I didn't start collecting unemployment until October. I called the NYS Department of Labor (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that W9s for work completed before your claim started have absolutely no impact on your benefits. The form is purely for the company's tax reporting - they need your info to send you a 1099 next year. Since you already included that $800 freelance income in your initial application, you've done everything correctly. The DOL has that info and it's already factored into your benefit calculation. Just fill out the W9 and send it back - your weekly certifications will continue as normal. The important distinction is between work performed WHILE claiming benefits (which must be reported weekly) versus receiving paperwork for work you did BEFORE claiming benefits. You're in the clear!

I was in almost the exact same situation as you last year - started a new job and within 2 months my employer started cutting hours dramatically before eventually letting me go. The good news is that NYS unemployment eligibility is based on your work history over the entire "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), not just your current job. Your 2 years at your previous job should definitely help you meet the monetary requirements. When I filed, I had to provide wage information from all my employers during that period. If your hours do get cut significantly, you may even qualify for partial unemployment while still employed. I'd recommend starting to document the hour reductions now - dates, original vs. reduced schedules, any written communication from your employer about the cuts. This documentation was really helpful when I filed my claim. The NYS DOL system can be frustrating to navigate, but don't let that discourage you from applying if you need to.

I'm currently going through something similar and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I wanted to add that when you do file (if it comes to that), make sure you have your banking information ready for direct deposit setup - it can speed up the process significantly. Also, I learned that NYS DOL typically processes claims faster if you file online rather than over the phone, though I know the website can be challenging to navigate. One thing that caught my attention in the responses here is the mention of partial unemployment benefits - I had no idea you could qualify for that while still working reduced hours. That could be a real game-changer for people in situations like ours where employers are cutting hours but not completely letting people go. It's unfortunate that so many of us are dealing with unpredictable work situations, but at least knowing our previous work history counts toward eligibility provides some peace of mind.

I've been dealing with this same nightmare for almost three weeks now! Reading through this thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that timing could make such a huge difference. I've been trying to upload during my lunch break around noon, which is probably the worst possible time based on what everyone's saying about server load. I'm definitely going to try the early morning approach (around 6:30am) this weekend using Chrome with cleared cache and properly named PDFs under 5MB. It's so frustrating that we have to become tech troubleshooting experts just to submit basic documents to a government agency, but I'm grateful this community exists to share real solutions. The secure message center backup option gives me peace of mind too - at least there are multiple ways to get this done. Thank you everyone for being so detailed about what actually worked instead of just saying "keep trying" like the official help resources do!

I just successfully submitted my documents this morning using the early morning strategy everyone's been talking about! Woke up at 6:15am, used Chrome with cleared cache on my personal laptop, and uploaded each PDF one at a time with descriptive file names like "Smith_W2_2023.pdf" and "Smith_Paystubs_Dec2023.pdf". The whole process took about 8 minutes and I got confirmation emails for each upload within 30 minutes. The difference in system performance at that hour versus my previous attempts during lunch breaks was night and day - no timeouts, no error messages, just smooth uploads. For anyone still struggling, the early morning timing really is the secret weapon here. Also made sure my profile info was current first like Fatima suggested, which probably helped with getting those confirmation emails quickly. This thread saved me so much frustration - thank you all for sharing what actually works!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really resonates with me. Reading through all the responses here has been incredibly informative - there's clearly a lot of experience and knowledge in this group! What I'm taking away from everyone's advice is that you absolutely should file your unemployment claim right away, and that having a medical reason for marijuana use (even without an official card) could actually be a significant factor in your favor. The key seems to be that the NYS Department of Labor has to prove "willful misconduct" rather than just policy violation. I'd encourage you to start documenting everything now - your work performance history, any medical records related to your chronic pain, attendance records, anything that shows you were a responsible employee who wasn't impaired on the job. Even if you face an initial denial, it sounds like the appeals process is where you can really present your full story. The worst thing that can happen if you file is the same result as not filing at all (no benefits), but filing gives you a real shot at getting the support you need while job hunting. Don't let this setback discourage you - you deserve to have your case evaluated fairly!

I just wanted to add my support to all the excellent advice you've received here. As a newcomer to this community, I'm really impressed by how knowledgeable and helpful everyone has been with your situation. The consensus seems clear - file your unemployment claim immediately and don't let the drug test failure discourage you from seeking benefits you may be entitled to. What really stands out to me is that multiple people have shared actual success stories of winning appeals in similar situations, which shows this isn't hopeless at all. Your chronic pain condition is a crucial detail that differentiates your case from recreational drug use. I'd recommend creating a timeline of events and gathering all your documentation now while everything is fresh - performance reviews, medical records, anything that shows you were managing your condition responsibly while being a reliable employee. The NYS Department of Labor has to prove willful misconduct, not just policy violation, and having a legitimate medical reason for marijuana use could be a game-changer in your case. Even if you face an initial denial, the appeals process gives you a real opportunity to present your full story to a hearing officer who can consider all the context. You've got nothing to lose by filing and potentially everything to gain - don't let fear of rejection stop you from pursuing benefits that could help you get back on your feet!