Glad you got it resolved! For anyone else reading this thread in the future: there's a difference between resetting your NY.gov ID (which controls access to all NY state services) and resetting your PIN (which is specific to unemployment claims). Make sure you know which one you need help with before calling.

Great advice about keeping track of different government logins! I use a password manager now after getting locked out of multiple accounts last year. One tip I learned the hard way - if you're dealing with both federal (IRS) and state (unemployment) stuff at the same time, open them in different browsers or use incognito mode. It helps prevent the confusion that @NebulaNinja experienced. Also bookmark the specific login pages so you don't accidentally end up on the wrong site!

Been there myself with a knee injury while unemployed. Key things: 1) Report the disability income on your weekly claims, 2) Make sure your job search focuses on positions you can actually do with your restrictions, 3) Keep all medical documentation, 4) Be honest when certifying for benefits. NYS Department of Labor processed mine without issues because I was upfront about everything from the start.

This is a great question and you're smart to ask before potentially creating issues. I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. The key distinction is between being "totally disabled" versus having work restrictions. Since you can perform desk work and light duty, you're not totally disabled from all work. You absolutely must report your disability payments when filing weekly claims - NYS Department of Labor will likely reduce your unemployment benefits by the amount of disability income you receive. Keep detailed records of your job search efforts focusing specifically on positions that accommodate your restrictions (administrative, customer service, data entry, etc.). Your doctor's note about light duty work will be important documentation. Many people successfully navigate this situation, but transparency with NYSDOL from the start is crucial to avoid overpayment issues down the road.

Update: I was able to get my 2019 denial letter! For anyone who might need this in the future, I ended up using Claimyr to get through to an agent (took about 15 mins instead of hours of waiting). The agent was able to see my 2019 claim in their system and emailed me the determination letter within a few hours. My mortgage broker accepted it and we're moving forward. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to see this got resolved! For future reference for anyone else in a similar situation, it's also worth noting that some mortgage lenders will accept alternative documentation if you explain the situation. I had a client who couldn't get their old unemployment records in time, so we provided a signed affidavit explaining the denial along with bank statements from that period showing no unemployment deposits. The underwriter accepted it after some back and forth. Obviously getting the official letter is always best, but don't panic if you hit roadblocks - there might be other options your loan officer can explore.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status, I had luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to an actual agent without sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration when my claim was stuck in processing.

Just went through this myself last month. No waiting week but took exactly 18 days from filing to first payment hitting my account. Make sure you have direct deposit set up or it takes even longer with the debit card they mail out.

Just went through this whole process myself! Got my hearing scheduled after about 5 weeks of waiting. It was definitely nerve-wracking but the phone format made it less intimidating than I expected. For timeline - my hearing was about 50 minutes, got the decision letter 10 days later (approved!), and first payment showed up in my account 5 days after that. The backpay covered everything from when I first filed. One thing nobody mentioned - make sure your phone is fully charged and you're in a quiet spot with good reception. My neighbor's dog started barking halfway through and I was mortified lol. Judge was understanding though. Also agree with everyone saying to have your documents organized. I made a simple timeline of events and it really helped me stay focused when answering questions. Good luck @Mateo!

Been through this recently too! My hearing took about 9 weeks to get scheduled, but that was during peak time. Phone hearing lasted about an hour and the judge was pretty straightforward - just stick to facts and stay organized. Payment wise - once approved, first payment hit my account within a week and then backpay followed a few days after. The whole backpay process was actually smoother than I expected. Big tip: test your phone connection beforehand! I did a test call with a friend to make sure audio was clear. Also keep a glass of water nearby - you'll be talking a lot and your mouth gets dry from nerves. The hardest part is just the waiting honestly. Once you're actually in the hearing it goes by quick. Stay confident and prepared @Mateo - you got this! 💪