Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I've made a checklist of everything I need to do tomorrow: 1. Talk to HR about NYS Disability Benefits and get the DB-450 form 2. Make appointment with my OB to get their portion completed ASAP 3. Look up my local WIC office and application process 4. Contact DSS about any other assistance programs 5. Ask hospital about meeting with social worker during my stay I'm still shocked at how low the disability benefit is, but at least it's something. I'll update after I talk to HR tomorrow. Fingers crossed this all works out!

Also wanted to mention - don't forget to check if you qualify for HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and see if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs. When I was in a similar situation, these programs helped me keep the lights on and avoid eviction during those tough first few months. The income limits are usually pretty reasonable for new families. You can usually apply for HEAP through the same DSS office. Also, if you're planning to breastfeed, WIC provides extra food allowances for nursing mothers which can really help stretch your grocery budget. Wishing you the best with everything - you've got this! 💪

Glad to hear you're feeling better! Just remember that even after the 5 paid days from your employer, you need to follow up on your state benefits application. They don't automatically kick in - the two systems are separate. And don't return to work until you're fully cleared, even if there's pressure from your job. Your health comes first!

Hope you recover fully soon! One thing I wanted to add that might help others reading this - if you're having trouble getting your employer to provide the required COVID sick pay, you can also contact the New York State Attorney General's office. They have a worker protection unit that handles violations of the COVID sick leave law. I had to use this when my previous employer tried to claim they "didn't know" about the requirement. The AG's office got them to pay up within a week. Just another resource to keep in mind if anyone runs into employer pushback on this.

Update: My payment from Tuesday did go to KeyBank! But now I'm anxiously waiting for the card. Called the KeyBank number and they confirmed it was mailed yesterday, so hopefully I'll have it by next week. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to hear you got it sorted out! Just a heads up - once you get the KeyBank card, you can also set up online access at keybank.com to check your balance and transactions without having to call. Makes it way easier to track when future payments hit your account. Hope your card arrives quickly!

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 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.