That's great progress! The "pending employer verification" issue is quite common, especially with larger companies that have centralized HR departments. Now that the agent has flagged it for urgent follow-up, the system will move your claim forward even if your employer doesn't respond within the new timeframe (they're only required to make two good-faith attempts to contact the employer). Make sure you keep certifying weekly while you wait. And just a tip - take notes of any conversations with NYSDOL including the agent's ID number if they provided one. This helps if you need to reference the conversation in any future communications.

Wow, reading through this whole thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation - filed in early October and still waiting. @Dmitry Petrov glad to hear you finally got some answers about the employer verification issue! For anyone else still struggling, I wanted to add that I found the NY.gov mobile app sometimes shows different information than the website. Worth checking both if you're looking for updates. Also, if you're self-employed or had multiple jobs, make sure ALL your employers are listed correctly in your claim - I discovered one of mine was missing which was causing delays. Keep fighting everyone - the system is frustrating but persistence does pay off eventually!

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job instead of being laid off, you probably won't qualify. They're pretty strict about that. But since you said you were laid off due to slow business, that should be fine. Also make sure you have your employer's info handy when you apply because they'll need details about your last job.

@QuantumQueen Based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify! Working 8 months at the restaurant and being laid off (not fired for cause) checks the main boxes. The wage requirements that Aisha mentioned are pretty reasonable - if you made around $15k total, you're likely well above the minimums. I'd recommend applying sooner rather than later because there can sometimes be delays in processing, and your benefit period starts from when you first file, not when you get approved. Also, don't stress too much about the job search requirements right away - you'll get more info about that once your claim is processed. Good luck!

You can verify your payment method by logging into my.ny.gov and going to the 'Payment Method' section under your unemployment services. If you have direct deposit set up, you'll see your bank info (last 4 digits). If it shows debit card, the KeyBank card typically arrives within 7-10 business days after your first payment is issued. Make sure your mailing address is current because that's the most common reason for payment delays.

The whole NYS Department of Labor payment system is such a mess. I've been dealing with unemployment for 6 months and every step is a nightmare. First the adjudication takes forever, then they approve you but don't tell you how payments actually work. Why can't they just send a clear email explaining the next steps?

The whole system is set up to deny people benefits honestly. They'll find any excuse to say you're not eligible. Being injured just gives them another reason to reject your claim.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - hurt my back at my retail job and was told I can do light duty work but my employer couldn't accommodate it so they terminated me. I called the NYS Department of Labor and they told me that as long as you can perform SOME type of work (even if it's different from your previous job), you can potentially qualify for UI benefits. The tricky part is you have to actively search for work that fits your medical restrictions and document those job search efforts. They also said to make sure your doctor's note is very specific about what you CAN do, not just what you can't do. Hope this helps!

yeah this stuff is so confusing!! why can't they make the rules clearer? seems like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place when you're injured

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago after a workplace injury. The key thing I learned is that you need to be very honest about your work restrictions when filing for UI. I was cleared for sedentary work but couldn't do my regular job, so I was able to qualify for unemployment while my workers comp case was pending. However, you have to actively search for work you CAN do within your restrictions and report that in your weekly certifications. I'd strongly recommend calling the Department of Labor before filing anything - yes the wait times are terrible, but getting it wrong can create a huge mess later. Also document everything your doctor says about what work you can and can't do.