Final advice: When you do get through to someone, request that they place a "fraud alert" flag on your file in their system. This will prevent any future claims from being automatically processed under your SSN without additional verification steps. Also, for future reference, you can set up an account on the NYSDOL website even if you're not currently claiming benefits - this allows you to monitor if anyone tries to file using your information again.

I went through something similar last year and it was absolutely terrifying at first. The key thing that helped me was realizing this is actually pretty common with identity theft cases. Don't panic - you have rights and there are clear steps to resolve this. A few things that helped me specifically: - When you call, ask to speak to a "Benefit Payment Control" specialist - they handle overpayment disputes - Request a "wage crossmatch report" which shows what employers reported wages under your SSN during those weeks - If you have any bank statements from March-April 2025, gather them now to prove you weren't receiving UI deposits The identity theft angle is definitely your strongest defense here. The fact that you haven't been collecting benefits makes this pretty cut and dry once you get the right person to look at your case. Hang in there - I know it feels overwhelming but once you get through to someone who can actually help, these cases usually get resolved faster than you'd expect. The system is broken but the individual workers I dealt with were actually pretty helpful once I could reach them.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS! I waited 7 weeks for my claim to get approved and when I finally got through to someone they said there was a 'computer glitch' that held up my case. Meanwhile I'm behind on rent and can barely afford groceries. NYS Department of Labor needs to get their act together!

To answer your earlier question about adjudication - it can be triggered by several things: if you were fired vs laid off, if there are discrepancies in your work history, if you had multiple employers, or if your employer contests your claim. The good news is that most claims do get approved eventually, it just takes patience unfortunately.

oh wow i need to file soon too, my last day is next friday. good to know it might take a while. do you have to wait until after your last day to file or can you do it before?

I filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and just got my first payment last week, so it was right around that 2-4 week timeframe that Clay mentioned. One thing that helped speed up my process was making sure I had all my employment documentation ready - like pay stubs and your separation notice from your employer. Also definitely set up direct deposit if you haven't already, it's faster than waiting for a check in the mail. Hang in there, I know the waiting is stressful but it does come through eventually!

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have this system where they call for you and get you through the phone queue - saved me hours of being on hold. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth it if you need to speak to someone about your claim.

The whole system is so slow it's ridiculous. They expect people to survive with no income while they take their sweet time processing paperwork. I waited 5 weeks for my first payment because of some stupid verification issue.

I went through something similar a few months ago! One thing that helped me was also trying to reach out through their online contact form on the DOL website - sometimes they respond faster to written requests than phone calls. Also, if you have any local workforce development offices in your area, they might be able to help escalate your case or provide guidance on getting through to the right department. Don't give up, you'll get through this!

I had this exact same issue last month! My Google Authenticator got out of sync after I got a new phone. What worked for me was going to my local CareerCenter (they're part of the workforce development system) - they have a direct line to DOL tech support that bypasses the regular phone queue. The staff there was super helpful and got me connected within like 20 minutes instead of the hours I was spending on hold. You can find your nearest location on the DOL website. They also helped me set up SMS backup so I won't get stuck like this again. Definitely worth a shot if calling directly isn't working!