Just went through this myself last month. File today if you can - the earlier you file, the earlier your effective date starts. Even if they determine you're not eligible initially, you can appeal and if you win the appeal, you'll get backpay from your original filing date. Don't wait!

I went through something similar when I was terminated for "performance issues" after reporting wage violations to HR. My advice: file immediately and be completely honest about the safety complaints you made. NYS DOL actually protects workers who report safety violations under whistleblower laws, so mentioning that complaint could actually help your case rather than hurt it. When I filed, I included all the details about my complaint and the timeline - it showed a clear pattern of retaliation. The adjudicator sided with me because the timing was too suspicious. Also, keep records of everything related to the unsafe conditions you reported - emails, photos, witness names, dates. This documentation could be crucial if your employer contests the claim.

I went through the same thing when I first got approved! The waiting week threw me off too - I kept checking my card balance expecting money that wasn't coming yet. Once you get past that first week though, the payments are pretty reliable. I've been getting mine every Wednesday for the past 6 months. Just make sure you have your direct deposit set up if you haven't already, it's way more convenient than the KeyBank card.

I've been on NYS unemployment for about 8 months now and can confirm what others are saying - it's weekly payments, usually hitting your account on Wednesdays if you file your weekly claim on Sunday. The one-week waiting period is standard for everyone's first payment, so don't panic when you don't see money right away. One thing I'd add is to make sure you answer all the weekly certification questions accurately - even small mistakes can trigger a review that delays your payments. And definitely consider switching to direct deposit if you haven't already - the KeyBank debit card has annoying fees and sometimes takes an extra day to load your benefits.

I went through this nightmare too a few weeks ago! After failing the photo verification about 12 times, I discovered that the issue was actually my internet connection being too slow. ID.me needs a stable, fast connection to process the facial recognition properly. I switched from my WiFi to my phone's hotspot and it worked immediately. Also, make sure you're holding your device completely still - even tiny movements can cause it to fail. The system is way more sensitive than it should be, but once you figure out the right combination it usually works. Don't give up!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same ID.me verification issues right now and it's been driving me crazy. I've tried probably 6 times over the past few days with no luck. Reading through everyone's solutions, I think my main problems are probably using Safari (I'll switch to Chrome) and not having clean enough lighting. I didn't realize glasses could be an issue either - I'll definitely try without them. One question though - for those who did the video call option, do you need to have all your documents ready beforehand or do they tell you what to get during the call? I want to be prepared if the photo thing still doesn't work after trying all these suggestions. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, it makes me feel less alone in this frustrating process!

Just report everything honestly when you do your weekly claim. The online system will calculate your reduced benefit automatically once you enter your work hours and gross pay. It's actually pretty straightforward once you get used to it.

@Andre Lefebvre - You're smart to ask about this upfront! I went through the exact same situation a few months ago. When you do your weekly certification on the NYS Department of Labor website, there's a specific section where they ask if you worked and how much you earned. Just enter your gross earnings for that week (before taxes). The system automatically calculates your reduced benefit. In your case with $270 weekly earnings, you'll still get a decent portion of your $504 benefit. The key is being consistent about reporting it every single week - don't skip even one week thinking "it's just part-time." That's where people get into trouble with overpayments later.

Call them. That's what I had to do. The website is useless for anything beyond basic stuff.

I had this exact same problem a few months ago! What finally worked for me was logging in early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy. The payment history section loaded much better and I was able to select the full year range. Also make sure you're using a desktop/laptop instead of mobile - the mobile site cuts off some of the options. If you still can't get the print function to work, try right-clicking on the page and selecting "Print" from your browser menu instead of using their print button. Hope this helps!