Been there, it sucks but you'll be fine. Just make sure when you file weekly claims you're actively looking for work because NYS Department of Labor requires job search activities. Keep a log of where you apply. And if you have trouble getting through to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling busy phone lines.

ugh the whole unemployment system is such a nightmare to navigate even when you ARE eligible. I was laid off last year and it took WEEKS to get my first payment because of some stupid adjudication hold that nobody could explain to me. Good luck getting anyone on the phone at NYS Department of Labor!

One more thing to check - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months or had any 1099 income, that can sometimes cause verification delays. Also if your employer is disputing the claim for any reason, that would explain why it's taking so long. The adjudication process for disputed claims can take 6-8 weeks easily.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in mid-December and still stuck in "under review" status with no explanation. It's incredibly frustrating when you've done everything they asked and still get radio silence. I've been documenting everything (screenshots, call logs, submission confirmations) just in case I need to escalate this later. Has anyone had luck reaching out to their local state representative's office? I've heard they sometimes have direct contacts at the Department of Labor who can actually look into specific cases.

One thing that helped me understand my disqualification was requesting my complete claim file from NYS Department of Labor. You can see exactly what information they used to make their decision and it might reveal errors or misunderstandings that you can address in your appeal.

I went through something similar and the appeal process is definitely worth pursuing if you believe there's an error. The key is to gather all your documentation - pay stubs, termination letters, anything that proves your work history and the circumstances of your job separations. I was initially denied for "voluntary quit" but it turned out my former employer had reported incorrect information. After appealing with proper documentation, I was approved and received all my back benefits. The appeal hearing lets you present your side of the story directly to a judge, and you can have witnesses testify on your behalf. Don't give up without trying - the worst that can happen is they uphold the original decision, but you might discover there was a mistake in your case.

try contacting your state representative or assemblyperson! sounds crazy but they can actually help with unemployment issues. i was stuck with verification problems for months, called my assembly member's office, and they had it fixed in 2 days. they have special contacts at nysdol.

I went through this exact nightmare last month! After weeks of failed attempts, here's what finally worked for me: 1) Make sure you're using the EXACT same name format across all documents (including middle initial vs full middle name), 2) Take your selfie in natural daylight near a window - the lighting makes a huge difference, 3) If you have any old addresses associated with your credit report, ID.me might be pulling those for verification questions. I had to temporarily lift my credit freeze like someone mentioned above, and that was the key! Also try using a different device entirely - sometimes their system gets glitchy with certain browsers/phones. Don't give up, it's incredibly frustrating but there IS a solution that will work for your specific situation.

This might sound crazy, but try tweeting at the DOL. I did that out of frustration and surprisingly got a response pretty quickly.

I went through the exact same thing last year! The adjudication closed with radio silence for almost 2 weeks. Turns out there was a glitch in their system and my decision letter got stuck in processing. What finally worked for me was calling the technical support line instead of the regular claims line - they have a separate number for system issues. The wait was still brutal but at least I got through. Also, make sure you're checking your online account AND the separate "correspondence" section - sometimes documents show up there first before being mailed. Don't lose hope, it will get resolved eventually!