New York Unemployment
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Can't reach New York Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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- Connect you to a human agent at the NYDOL
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- Redial until on hold
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What is the minimum amount of unemployment you can get from NYS Department of Labor?
I'm trying to figure out if it's even worth filing for unemployment benefits. I was only working part-time at a retail job for about 8 months making around $15/hour, maybe 20-25 hours a week. Does anyone know what the minimum weekly benefit amount is from NYS Department of Labor? I've heard there's some kind of floor but can't find clear info on their website. Just want to know if I'd qualify for anything substantial or if it would be like $50 a week or something.
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NY unemployment ID.me verification status - how to confirm it worked?
I just went through the ID.me verification process for my NY unemployment claim, but I'm not sure if it actually worked. The website kicked me back to the unemployment portal after I finished, but there's no confirmation message or status update anywhere. How do you know if you got successfully verified through ID.me? Is there supposed to be some kind of email or notification in your account? It's been 2 days and I'm worried my claim is just sitting there not being processed.
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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.
@Diego Fernández I just went through this exact same headache last week! The ID.me verification system is so poorly integrated with NYSDOL it s'ridiculous. What finally worked for me was logging directly into my ID.me account not (through the unemployment portal and) checking if my verification was actually complete there first. If it shows as verified on ID.me but not reflecting in your unemployment account, then it s'definitely a system communication issue on NYSDOL s'end. I ended up having to call and get an agent to manually refresh my account status. The whole process shouldn t'be this complicated for something so critical to people s'benefits!
@Diego Fernández I just went through this same frustrating experience two weeks ago! The ID.me integration with NYSDOL is honestly terrible - there s'zero clear communication about whether your verification actually worked. What saved me was following the advice someone gave earlier about checking the Claims Status section instead of the main dashboard. Mine showed Identity "Verified there" even though my dashboard looked exactly the same. If yours doesn t'show that after 5 business days, definitely don t'wait any longer - the system probably glitched during your verification. I ended up using Claimyr after wasting three days trying to get through on the phone myself, and honestly it was worth every penny to actually speak to someone who could help immediately.
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.
@Drake I totally understand the anxiety - I was in the exact same spot just a few weeks ago! Day 3-4 is definitely when you start to really worry about whether something went wrong. The good news is that if you remember clicking yes to share your verification with NYSDOL, you probably did complete that step correctly. That authorization screen is pretty hard to miss once you get to it. I'd definitely recommend checking that Claims Status section tomorrow morning like you planned - that's really the most reliable indicator. And don't feel bad about using a callback service if you need to - after going through this myself, I realized trying to save $20 by spending days on hold just isn't worth the stress when your benefits are at stake. Fingers crossed you see that "Identity Verified" status tomorrow!
@Drake I totally understand that anxiety! I went through the exact same waiting period and it's nerve-wracking when your benefits are on the line. Day 3-4 is when I started really panicking too. If it helps, the authorization step you described sounds right - there should have been a clear screen asking about sharing with NYSDOL. The fact that you remember clicking yes is a good sign. Definitely check that Claims Status section tomorrow, and don't feel bad about using a callback service if needed. When I finally got through to an agent (also used one of those services), they told me the verification delays are really common right now and not usually a sign that something went wrong. Hang in there!
How to file for partial unemployment through NYS Department of Labor - reduced hours situation
My restaurant cut my hours from 35 to 18 per week due to slow winter business. I'm still employed but making way less money. Can I file for partial unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor? I've never dealt with this before and don't know if working part-time disqualifies me from getting any help. The manager said hours might not pick back up until spring. How does this work exactly?
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One thing - you still have to meet the job search requirements even for partial unemployment. Keep track of your work search activities because they can ask for your log anytime during certification.
Wait, really? I thought if you're still working even part-time you don't have to do job searches since you already have a job. Are you sure about the work search requirement for partial claims?
Just went through this exact same situation at my job! The key thing is to file online at labor.ny.gov and when you do your weekly certifications, always report your gross earnings (before taxes). The system will automatically calculate how much partial benefit you get. Also keep all your pay stubs - they sometimes ask for proof of your reduced earnings. The whole process was way easier than I expected once I actually started it. Good luck!
@Heather Tyson The weekly certifications are pretty straightforward - just basic questions like did "you work this week? and" how "much did you earn? The" trickiest part is making sure you enter your gross pay correctly. For timing, my first partial payment took about 2 weeks after I filed my initial claim and completed my first weekly certification. Just make sure you certify every week even if you worked - that s'what I almost messed up initially!
@Heather Tyson The weekly certifications are pretty straightforward - they just ask if you worked, how much you earned, and if you were available for work. The trickiest part is making sure you enter your gross earnings correctly before (taxes and deductions .)For timing, my first partial payment took about 2-3 weeks after I filed my initial claim and completed my first weekly certification. Just make sure to do your weekly certifications on time every week or you could lose benefits!
Can substitute teachers get unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I've been working as a substitute teacher in upstate NY for the past two years, mostly getting called in 2-3 days per week during the school year. Now that summer break started, I'm wondering if I can file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor? I know teachers have different rules but I'm not sure if substitutes count the same way. Has anyone been through this process? I'm worried they'll say I don't qualify because my work was so irregular.
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Been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about this exact question but can never get through! The phone system is impossible. If anyone has tips for actually reaching a human being I'd really appreciate it. These automated messages don't help with specific situations like substitute teaching.
I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). They actually get you connected to NYS Department of Labor agents without the endless hold times. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get answers about my claim status.
That sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate at this point. Did they actually help you reach someone?
just filed last week and already got my first payment! make sure you file right away because theres a waiting week
That's encouraging! How long did your adjudication take? I'm worried about delays.
Mine took about 10 days which wasn't too bad. The key was having all my wage documentation ready when I filed. Since you worked regularly for two years you should be fine - just make sure you have your pay stubs or tax forms showing your substitute earnings. NYS Department of Labor processed mine pretty quickly once they had everything they needed.
What happens at NY unemployment mandatory RESEA appointment? Got my first one tomorrow
Just got notified about my first mandatory RESEA appointment with NY unemployment tomorrow. They said it could take up to 90 minutes! Has anyone gone through this yet? They'll apparently be reviewing my work-search efforts, going over my resume, and creating some kind of "customized reemployment plan." The notice says: "During your appointment, we will develop a customized reemployment plan based on your individual circumstances. When We call you, the number that will come up on your caller ID is 888-209-8124. To receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you are required to attend mandatory virtual Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments." I've only been receiving benefits for two weeks (applied on March 1st, 2025). What should I expect? Will they try to push me into jobs I don't want? I'm nervous!!!
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UPDATE: Just had my RESEA appointment and wanted to share how it went! It lasted about 55 minutes. The career counselor was actually really nice and helpful. She: - Verified my identity (asked for last 4 of SSN and DOB) - Reviewed my work search activities (seemed pleased with my documentation) - Asked about my skills and previous experience - Gave me feedback on my resume (suggested I quantify my achievements more) - Recommended two job boards specific to my industry - Assigned me to a LinkedIn optimization workshop next week Overall, it was much less stressful than I expected! She wasn't pushy about taking any job - she actually encouraged me to focus on positions that match my skills. Thanks everyone for your advice and helping me prepare!
Glad you got a good counselor! Mine was nowhere near as helpful. Did they tell you how often these appointments happen? I'm dreading my next one.
That's awesome that it went so well! I'm currently waiting for my first RESEA appointment to be scheduled and this gives me a lot of hope. Did they mention anything about how frequently these appointments happen? I'm wondering if it's a one-time thing or if they'll call me back periodically throughout my claim.
I just had my RESEA appointment last week and wanted to add a few tips that helped me prepare! Beyond having your work search records ready, I'd recommend preparing a brief summary of your job search strategy and any challenges you're facing. My counselor really appreciated that I came prepared with specific questions about my industry and was able to have a more targeted conversation. Also, don't stress too much about having every detail perfect - they understand that job searching can be overwhelming and they're there to help, not judge. The appointment actually motivated me to be more strategic about my search. One thing I wasn't expecting was that they asked about my availability for work and any scheduling constraints, so be ready to discuss your flexibility. Good luck to everyone still waiting for their appointments!
@Jamal Harris thank you
LunarEclipse
Just apply and see what happens. The worst they can do is deny you. I thought I wouldn't qualify either but ended up getting approved for $148/week. The application process on my.ny.gov is pretty straightforward, just make sure you have all your employer info ready including dates of employment and reason for separation.
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Yara Khalil
this!! i was so worried about not qualifying but turns out i did. better to try than assume you wont get anything
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Sean Flanagan
Based on your work history, you might actually qualify! With 8 months at $15/hour for 20-25 hours weekly, that's roughly $300-375 per week in gross wages. Over 8 months, you likely earned well over the $2,600 base period requirement. Your weekly benefit would be 50% of your average weekly wage during your highest quarter, so potentially around $150-180 per week rather than the $104 minimum. Definitely worth applying - you can do it online at my.ny.gov and it only takes about 30 minutes to complete the initial application.
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