Just make sure your employer is classifying you correctly as an employee and not trying to call you a contractor to avoid paying UI taxes. That's unfortunately common and would leave you without coverage.

@NeonNomad You're all set! No forms needed from your end. Your employer automatically registers you when they start paying UI taxes on your wages. Just keep your pay stubs and employment records in case you ever need to prove your work history for a claim. The system tracks everything based on your SSN and employer reporting.

I agree with everyone saying to file immediately - don't wait! I was in a similar situation last year where I hesitated for a few weeks thinking the job market might turn around quickly, and I ended up losing out on those weeks of benefits. The unemployment rate going up or down doesn't change your eligibility or how fast they process claims. What matters is that you lost your job through no fault of your own. File today and start your weekly certifications as soon as you're able to. The sooner you get in the system, the sooner you can start receiving benefits while you look for your next job.

From someone who works in HR and has helped employees through layoffs - definitely file immediately! The unemployment rate in your area or statewide has zero impact on your individual claim processing time or approval odds. Your eligibility is based on your work history and the reason you lost your job, not economic trends. I've seen people lose out on thousands of dollars because they waited "to see what happens" with the job market. The NYS DOL system processes claims in the order they're received, and your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your wages in the base period regardless of current unemployment statistics. File today and focus your energy on your job search instead of worrying about things outside your control.

I just went through this exact same situation two weeks ago! Got the ID.me verification notice after collecting for 4 months without any issues. I was super suspicious at first but it's definitely legitimate - NY has been doing random identity checks to prevent fraud. The process itself wasn't too bad once I got started: - Took about 15 minutes using my phone - Make sure you have your driver's license ready and use good lighting - The selfie verification worked fine for me but I've heard some people get kicked to video calls - Used the exact same email I originally registered with (this is crucial!) My payments resumed exactly 8 days after I completed the verification, and I got all my back payments automatically - no extra steps needed. The missed week showed up as a separate deposit a day after my regular payment. Definitely don't wait on this - the 14-day deadline is real and they will cut off your benefits if you don't complete it. But once it's done, everything goes back to normal pretty quickly. Good luck!

I went through this same ID.me verification process about 6 weeks ago after being on unemployment for 3 months with no issues. It's definitely legitimate - NY has been doing these random identity checks more frequently since all the fraud issues during the pandemic. Here's what worked for me: - Did it on a weekday morning around 10am to avoid long wait times - Used my phone instead of computer - the camera quality was better for the facial recognition - Made sure my driver's license was clean and flat with no glare or shadows - Had good natural lighting from a window - Double-checked I was using the exact email address from my original unemployment application The whole process took about 12 minutes and was pretty straightforward. I got a confirmation email right after completing it, which I screenshotted for my records. My payments resumed after 9 days and the missed week came through as back pay automatically. The 14-day deadline is real, so definitely don't put this off. But once you complete it, everything should go back to normal pretty quickly. The notice you received looks identical to what I got, so you're dealing with the legitimate process. Just make sure when you click the link that it takes you to an actual .gov domain for extra peace of mind!

UPDATE: I managed to get through to a real person! I used the Claimyr service that @user3 recommended, and it worked perfectly. Turns out there was an "identity verification flag" on my account that I was never notified about! The agent cleared it and said I should receive all my backpay within 2-3 business days. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Congratulations on finally getting through! This is such a common issue and your experience will definitely help others in similar situations. The identity verification flag seems to be happening to a lot of people lately - it's frustrating that they don't send any notification about it. I'm bookmarking that Claimyr service for future reference. Fingers crossed your backpay comes through quickly!

Just want to add that even if you quit for good cause, there's usually a waiting period before benefits start. Also make sure you're actively job searching and meeting all the weekly claim requirements once you do file. The job search log is super important and they do check it sometimes during adjudication.

Before you make any decisions, I'd strongly recommend documenting everything that's happening with your manager right now. Keep detailed records of incidents, dates, times, and any witnesses. Save all emails and text messages. If possible, follow up verbal conversations with emails summarizing what was discussed - this creates a paper trail. Also consider filing a formal written complaint with HR if you haven't already, even if they've been unhelpful before. Having that official complaint on record could be crucial if you need to prove good cause later. The NYS Department of Labor takes workplace harassment seriously, but you need solid evidence to support your claim.