Thanks for mentioning Claimyr @profile2, I just watched their demo video and it looks legit. Definitely going to try that tomorrow because I can't keep spending my whole day trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor on my own.

I went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago. The "outstanding issues" message is so vague and unhelpful. In my case, it turned out to be a simple verification issue - they needed me to confirm my identity with additional documents. What finally worked for me was sending a secure message through the my.ny.gov portal asking specifically what documentation was needed to resolve the outstanding issues. It took about 5 business days to get a response, but at least I got a clear answer about what they wanted. Also try checking if there's a "Required Actions" or "To Do" section in your account that might have more specific information. The waiting is definitely stressful when bills are due, but hang in there!

Before you go looking for physical offices, try calling the NYS Department of Labor technical support line early in the morning around 8 AM. They have separate numbers for different issues. Also, if your weekly claim certification is stuck, log out completely and clear your browser cache before logging back into my.ny.gov. Sometimes that resolves display issues where the system isn't showing pending adjudications properly.

I'm in a similar situation in upstate NY - been waiting 3 weeks for my certification to go through. From what I've researched, most of the physical NYS Department of Labor offices are now "American Job Centers" and they primarily handle career services rather than unemployment claims. The one in Syracuse requires appointments and they told me over the phone that they can't access individual claim files anyway. Your best bet might be trying to call right at 8 AM when the phone lines open, or using that callback feature on my.ny.gov if you can find it (it's buried pretty deep in the site). Also check if you have any messages in your correspondence section - sometimes there are requests for additional info that don't show up as alerts.

I had the exact same issue last month! It's so frustrating when you know you're entering the right information but the system keeps rejecting it. What finally worked for me was a combination of a few things: 1. First, I tried entering the maiden name exactly as it appears on old documents (birth certificate, etc.) - sometimes there are subtle spelling differences we don't remember 2. I also cleared my browser cache and cookies completely before trying again 3. Most importantly, I called the technical support line (not the regular claims line) and they were able to see that there was actually a glitch in my account that was causing the security questions to not update properly The tech support number is different from the main line and usually has shorter wait times. They were able to reset something on their end and I was able to get back in. Don't give up - this is definitely fixable! 💪

Oh my gosh, I'm dealing with this EXACT same issue right now! 😤 It's so maddening when you KNOW you're entering the right information but the system keeps telling you it's wrong. I've been locked out twice already and I'm terrified to try again. @Nasira Ibanez your comment about the tech support line is a game changer - I had no idea that existed! And the tip about checking old documents is brilliant. My mom got married in the 70s and I'm wondering if there might be some variation in how her maiden name was recorded back then vs what I remember. @Amina Diop the IT perspective is super helpful too. These old government systems are probably held together with digital duct tape at this point 😅 Has anyone else had success with the "all caps, no spaces" approach? I'm willing to try anything at this point before I attempt calling again. This whole situation is just adding so much stress to an already stressful unemployment situation!

Just want to add that you'll also need to register for work search activities after you file. The NYS Department of Labor requires you to look for work and document your job search efforts. They'll explain all this after you complete your initial claim but it's good to know upfront.

Just to add some practical tips from someone who recently went through this process - when you're filling out the application on labor.ny.gov, make sure you're on a stable internet connection because the system can be glitchy. Also, write down your confirmation number after you submit and take screenshots of important pages. You'll need to certify for benefits every week after your initial claim, so bookmark the site. The first payment usually takes 2-3 weeks after filing, so try to have some emergency funds if possible. Good luck with your application!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my benefits run out in March and I'm terrified. Been looking for work since December with no luck. The financial services sector is absolutely brutal right now. I've been considering taking any temporary work I can find just to have some income coming in while I keep searching. Has anyone had success with temp agencies or contract work in finance? Even if it's not ideal, it might help bridge the gap until something permanent opens up. Also wondering if anyone knows about emergency rental assistance programs that don't require you to be completely broke first - most seem to want you to be already behind on rent before they'll help.

I'm in a similar boat - my benefits are ending next month and I've been applying everywhere with no luck. One thing that's helped a little is signing up for gig work (Uber Eats, DoorDash) just to have some cash flow while job hunting. It's not much but at least covers groceries. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're registered with your local workforce development center - they sometimes have job leads that aren't posted publicly and can help with resume reviews. The whole situation is incredibly stressful but we just have to keep pushing through. Sending solidarity your way! 💪