The unemployment system in this state is ridiculous. You pay into it your whole working life and then when you actually need it they make it impossible to get help. Half the time the website doesn't work and good luck ever reaching a human on the phone. But yeah OP you should definitely file - just be prepared for potential headaches with the process.

Hey Chloe, definitely file right away! I'm a union electrician and go through this every winter. Getting laid off absolutely qualifies you for unemployment - it's not your fault and that's exactly what the system is designed for. Don't wait to see if they call you back because you could be missing out on weeks of benefits. You can apply online at labor.ny.gov and you'll need your SSN, driver's license, and info about your employer and wages from the last 18 months. The process takes about 30 minutes online and is way easier than calling. Construction seasonal layoffs are super common so they're used to processing these claims. Just make sure to file your weekly certifications on time once you're approved.

just remember to file your weekly claims even if your claim is still processing. you can get backpay for those weeks once everything gets approved

Make sure your employer files the correct paperwork with NYS Department of Labor indicating it's a seasonal layoff - this can really speed up the process. When I worked for a tree service company, my boss would file what they called a "mass layoff notice" every fall for all the seasonal workers. It helped our claims get processed much faster than individual layoffs. You might want to ask your landscaping company if they do bulk seasonal filings. Also keep all your pay stubs from this season as proof of your work history, just in case they ask for documentation later.

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in the exact same situation 6 months ago. You definitely need to do one final certification and report your work days. When I started my new job, I was nervous about messing something up too, but the process is actually pretty straightforward. Just be honest about your work status on the weekly certification form. The system will automatically close your claim once you report full-time employment. Better to follow the proper procedure than risk any issues down the road. Good luck with your new job!

Hey there! Congrats on the new job! 🎉 I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and was just as confused. Definitely do one more certification next week - when you log in to certify, there will be questions asking if you worked during the week and how many days. Just answer honestly that you worked full-time and the system will automatically close your claim. I was worried I'd mess something up too, but it's actually pretty straightforward. The key is just being honest on that final certification rather than just disappearing from the system. That way everything gets closed out properly on their end and you won't have any issues later. The whole process took maybe 5 minutes online and then I was done with unemployment for good (hopefully!). You've got this - enjoy the new job!

this sucks i ran out of benefits too and nobody at labor dept will answer the phone!! been trying for weeks to find out if i can apply again. the whole system is broken

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits ran out a few weeks ago and I'm really confused about the whole process. From what I've been reading online, it seems like there might be some emergency assistance programs or food stamps that could help bridge the gap until you can file a new claim. Has anyone looked into those options? Also, I've heard that some people qualify for extended benefits depending on the unemployment rate in their area, but I'm not sure how to check if that applies to us in New York. This whole thing is so stressful when you're already dealing with job hunting.

This whole thread is incredibly helpful - I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now (week 3 of verification limbo). I've tried calling both NYSDOL and ID.me multiple times but keep getting the runaround. Based on what everyone's shared here, I'm going to try the claimyr.com route first since multiple people have had success with that, and I'll use those specific phrases about "manual verification override due to ID.me integration failure." If that doesn't work, I'll escalate to my state rep's office. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops for a system that's clearly broken, but at least now I have a game plan. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that actually helps people navigate this mess!

This is such a widespread issue and it's infuriating that people have to become system experts just to get benefits they're entitled to. I'm bookmarking this thread because the collective knowledge here is better than anything you'll get from official support channels. The fact that multiple people have had success with claimyr.com and those specific technical phrases tells you everything about how broken the regular process is. For anyone else reading this - document EVERYTHING, be persistent, and don't let them bounce you back and forth between systems. Your cousin shouldn't have to wait months for money he's already qualified for. Hope one of these approaches works for him soon!