I had this EXACT same issue a few months ago and it drove me absolutely insane! After weeks of frustration, I finally figured out what was wrong. The NY unemployment system has some weird quirk where it doesn't play nice with certain types of accounts. In my case, I was trying to use my main checking account that I've had for years, but it turns out the system was flagging it because it was linked to some kind of overdraft protection or savings transfer feature. I ended up having to open a completely basic checking account with no bells and whistles attached, and that one worked immediately. It's ridiculous that they don't tell you this anywhere, but apparently their system is super picky about account types. Might be worth asking your bank if your account has any special features that could be causing the rejection. Good luck - I know how maddening this is!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to set up direct deposit for over a month and the system keeps rejecting my routing number even though I've used this same account for everything else including my stimulus payments and tax refunds. What's really frustrating is that I can see other people in the comments mentioning Claimyr - I actually tried them last week and they were able to get me connected to a real person at NYSDOL within about an hour. The agent told me there was some kind of "system flag" on accounts that had previous unemployment claims, and she had to manually override something on their end. My direct deposit finally went through 3 days later! It cost like $20 to use Claimyr but honestly it was worth every penny after wasting weeks trying to fix this myself. For anyone still struggling with this, I'd definitely recommend giving them a shot - their service actually works unlike the broken phone system.

NYS Department of Labor is definitely the right agency but good luck actually getting help from them when you need it!! Their phone system is a nightmare and the website crashes all the time. Been fighting with them over an adjudication issue for weeks now.

@Lilly Curtis - Yes, exactly! "UI" stands for Unemployment Insurance, which is administered by the NYS Department of Labor. You might also see it referred to as "unemployment benefits" or just "unemployment" in casual conversation, but it's all the same program. When you file your claim, you'll be dealing directly with NYS DOL through their online system. Just make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and your most recent employer's information ready when you apply.

have u tried the automated system? sometimes u can verify through there

Ugh this is so frustrating! I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now. My ID.me got suspended out of nowhere and I can't get any help. The unemployment office keeps saying they can't do anything about ID.me issues and ID.me support is basically nonexistent. How is this even legal that they can just lock us out of our benefits like this? Really considering trying that claimyr thing Romeo mentioned because I'm desperate at this point 😩

Don't stress about it too much. The whole NYS Department of Labor system is confusing at first but once you get your unemployment insurance number assigned, everything becomes clearer. Just make sure to save that number somewhere safe because you'll be using it constantly.

I had the exact same confusion when I first applied! Just to add to what everyone else has said - once you get your unemployment insurance number, write it down and keep it handy. You'll need it every single week when you certify for benefits, and if you ever have to call NYS Department of Labor about anything related to your claim. It's basically your ticket to accessing all your unemployment services. The good news is that once you have it, the weekly certification process becomes pretty straightforward.

Good luck with your hearing! The judge was pretty fair in my case. Just tell the truth and don't let your employer intimidate you with their HR person or lawyer if they bring one.

I just went through this process a few months ago and I totally understand your nervousness! Here's what helped me prepare: 1) Write down a clear timeline of exactly what happened leading up to your separation from work, 2) Gather any emails, texts, or documents that support your version of events, 3) Think about any witnesses who could back up your story (coworkers, supervisors, etc.), and 4) Practice explaining your situation clearly and calmly. During the hearing, the judge will ask you to tell your side first, then your employer gets to respond, and then there might be follow-up questions. Stay calm, stick to the facts, and don't get defensive even if your employer says things that upset you. The judge has heard it all before and they're pretty good at spotting when employers are stretching the truth. You've got this!