One thing to keep in mind is that if you do end up needing to file for unemployment, don't wait! You should file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed because there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits begin, and benefits are only paid from the date you file your claim (not retroactively to when you lost your job). Also, since you mentioned you've been at your current job for 8 months, make sure you have all your wage information ready - pay stubs, W-2s, etc. The Department of Labor will verify your earnings with your employer, but having your own records can help speed up the process if there are any discrepancies.

Just to add some clarity on the base period calculation that others mentioned - since you started working in May last year and it's now late May, your base period would likely include Q2 2024 (April-June), Q3 2024 (July-September), Q4 2024 (October-December), and Q1 2025 (January-March). So you'd have earnings from about 6-7 months in your base period if you filed now. The key is that your highest quarter earnings get divided by 26 to determine your weekly benefit rate, with a minimum of $104/week and maximum of $504/week in NY. Given your consistent $600/week earnings, you're looking at roughly $300-320/week as others estimated.

I've been documenting my job searches in a simple Word document and it's worked fine during my claim reviews. Just include: date, company name, position title, how you applied (website, email, in-person), and contact info if available. Don't overthink it - NYS Department of Labor just wants to see you're making genuine efforts. Also, attending virtual job fairs and career webinars count toward your 3 weekly activities, which helped me when physical applications were slim. The key is consistency in your record-keeping format.

Just want to add that if you're using LinkedIn for job searching, make sure to document those applications too! I've been applying through LinkedIn Easy Apply and it definitely counts toward the 3 weekly requirements. I include the LinkedIn job posting URL in my log along with the standard info (company, position, date). Also, don't forget that updating your resume or LinkedIn profile can count as a job search activity - I learned this from a NYS Department of Labor rep. It's helpful when you're having a slow week with actual applications but still need to meet the requirement.

Wait are we talking about the same thing? I thought payment released meant it was already in your account? I'm so confused by all this unemployment terminology. My claim status says pending but I filed my weekly claim on Sunday like always.

Don't panic! I've been on unemployment for about 6 months now and the timing can definitely vary. If your payment was released yesterday and you have direct deposit set up, you should see it by tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Banks typically process unemployment deposits in the early morning hours, so check your account first thing when you wake up. Since you mentioned rent is due soon, you might also want to reach out to your landlord to let them know there could be a day or two delay - most are understanding about unemployment timing issues. Keep an eye on your bank account and if you don't see anything by Friday evening, then I'd start making calls to your bank.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been 4 days since I completed the ID.me verification and still no confirmation email or status update in my unemployment account. The whole process is so unclear - you'd think they'd have better communication about something this important. Thanks for posting this question because the responses here have been really helpful. I'm going to try checking the Claims Status section like someone mentioned, and if that doesn't show anything I might have to bite the bullet and use one of those callback services to actually get through to a human.

I went through ID.me verification for NY unemployment about 6 months ago and had a similar experience - no immediate confirmation and lots of uncertainty about whether it worked. Here's what I learned: the system can take up to 5 business days to fully sync between ID.me and NYSDOL, which is way longer than it should be. The most reliable way to check is definitely the "Claims Status" section that others mentioned - that's where you'll see "Identity Verified" if it actually went through. Also, make sure you completed the final authorization step where ID.me asks permission to share your verification with NYSDOL - that's a separate click that's easy to miss. If it's been more than a week and you still don't see verification status updated anywhere, don't keep trying the verification process repeatedly. The system can flag you for multiple attempts. At that point you really need to speak with an agent who can check what happened on their end. The callback services people mentioned here are legitimate and honestly worth it when you're stuck - I wasted way too much time trying to get through the regular phone lines before I realized there were better options.

just wanted to say I hope your husband heals up quickly. construction injuries can be really serious and it sounds like you're dealing with a lot of stress right now.

I work in benefits administration and want to clarify a few things that might help. While it's generally true you can't collect both simultaneously, there are some nuances worth understanding. First, if your husband's workers comp case gets settled or closed, he could potentially become eligible for unemployment if he's then able and available for work. Second, some people don't realize that workers comp settlements can sometimes be structured to allow for a return to the workforce sooner. I'd strongly recommend contacting both his workers comp carrier and NYS Department of Labor directly to discuss his specific medical restrictions and work capacity. Document everything - dates, who you spoke with, what they said. This will be important if there are any disputes later. Also consider reaching out to a workers comp attorney for a consultation, as many offer free initial consultations and can help navigate the system more effectively than trying to figure it out alone.