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The whole system is rigged against small business owners anyway. We pay all these taxes for years and then when we need help the most they make it impossible to get benefits. Typical government BS if you ask me.
I'm going through something similar right now - had to close my consulting business after losing my biggest client. From what I've researched, it really comes down to how you structured your business and paid yourself. If you were an LLC or corp and took W-2 wages with unemployment taxes withheld, you might qualify since you technically had an employer-employee relationship with your own business. The key is proving you were an "employee" of your business, not just the owner. I'd definitely apply - the application process will help clarify your eligibility and you'll get a definitive answer from NYS DOL.
Also bring your alien registration number if you're not a US citizen - they need that for work authorization verification. And if you have any union information that's helpful too since it affects your benefit calculation.
One thing people forget is if you had any severance pay or vacation payout when you left your job, NYS Department of Labor needs to know about that too. It can affect when your benefits start.
Good point! I did get a small vacation payout. Do I need documentation for that or just need to report it?
Wow, reading through all these comments gives me hope! I've been dealing with this same ID.me verification loop nightmare for about a week now and was starting to panic. Seeing that so many people got it resolved by actually reaching a human agent makes me feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel. I'm definitely going to try claimyr.com after seeing multiple success stories here. It's insane that we have to pay a third party service just to access our own benefits, but honestly at this point I'll try anything. The stress of not being able to certify for my weekly benefits is killing me - I've got bills piling up and can't afford to wait much longer. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions! 🤞
I feel you on this! Just went through the exact same thing last month and it was absolutely maddening. The ID.me verification loop is like being trapped in digital purgatory. What finally worked for me was getting through to a live agent who explained that there was a tiny formatting difference in how my name appeared in their different systems - something I never would have figured out on my own. The agent was able to manually sync the records and I was back in within 10 minutes. Definitely try the claimyr service that others mentioned - I was skeptical at first but they really do get you connected to someone who can actually help. Don't give up, this is totally fixable once you get the right person on the phone! Keep all your documents handy when you call.
Just got my hearing date! April 15th, so about 3 weeks from now. They sent instructions for the phone hearing and said both me and my former employer will be called. I'm nervous but feeling more prepared thanks to everyone's advice here. I've gathered all my evidence and am rehearsing how to clearly explain what happened. Will update after the hearing!
Great news! Make sure you're in a quiet place with good phone reception for the hearing. Have your documents organized and in front of you. Write down key points you want to make. If the employer says something untrue, wait for your turn to speak rather than interrupting. The judges appreciate organized, fact-based presentations. Good luck!
I went through this exact situation back in 2023 and won my appeal! The key thing that helped me was getting a letter from HR confirming the layoff was due to company restructuring, not voluntary resignation. If your company has HR, reach out to them ASAP - they often have standard forms for this. Also, don't panic about the 30-day deadline - you have time to gather evidence properly. I'd recommend writing a brief timeline of events leading up to your termination and any witnesses who can verify you were laid off. The appeal hearing was actually less intimidating than I expected - just answer questions directly and honestly. You've got this!
This is really helpful advice! I wish I had thought to contact HR earlier - I was so focused on gathering the documents I already had. Unfortunately my company's HR department was also laid off during the restructuring (small company), but I do have that termination email from my manager that specifically mentions "position elimination due to restructuring." I'm hoping that plus the text message screenshots will be enough evidence. Your point about writing a timeline is great - I'm going to do that this weekend to organize my thoughts before the hearing. Thanks for the encouragement!
Dallas Villalobos
Just to add some practical advice - keep filing your weekly claims even if you haven't been approved yet. If you miss filing weeks, you can lose benefits for those periods even after approval. Also check your online account regularly for any requests for additional documentation.
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Isabella Brown
Based on my experience filing last year, the 2-3 week timeframe is pretty accurate for straightforward cases. One thing that helped me track progress was logging into my.ny.gov account every few days - they'll post updates there before you get any mail or calls. Also, if you're really stressed about rent, consider reaching out to local assistance programs while you wait. Many counties have emergency rental assistance that can bridge the gap. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but try to stay patient with the process.
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