I work with disability cases (not a lawyer just admin) and you're gonna have an uphill battle with the timing issue. But it's not impossible! Gather all your medical records showing when the disability started, any attempts at treatment, and documentation of why you couldn't file earlier (medical appointments, surgeries, whatever). Then you NEED to speak with an actual agent who can look at your specific situation.

I went through something similar - had a work injury that took months to properly diagnose and by the time I realized I couldn't return to my job, I thought I'd missed the window. Turns out NY has provisions for "good cause" delays, especially when medical issues are involved. The key thing is you need to show that your delay was due to circumstances beyond your control (which dealing with a new disability diagnosis definitely qualifies as). When you call, emphasize that you were overwhelmed with medical care and didn't understand your options at the time. Bring documentation showing your diagnosis timeline, treatment schedule, anything that shows you were dealing with a serious medical situation. Also mention you're already in the SSDI process - that actually helps show the severity of your condition. Don't let people discourage you about the timing - I've seen people get approved for unemployment even after long delays when they had valid reasons. Your disability diagnosis and the time it took to understand your new limitations is absolutely a valid reason. Just make sure you can work in SOME capacity when you file (even if it's different from your mechanic job) because that's the requirement for unemployment vs disability benefits. Good luck! 🙏

For anyone still experiencing issues, the NYSDOL has acknowledged the technical difficulties on their official channels. They've stated: 1. No one will be penalized for missing certification deadlines due to today's system issues 2. The main issue has been identified and partially resolved (database connection problems) 3. They recommend using the mobile app instead of the website if possible 4. If you receive error codes, document them and the time of your attempt If you absolutely need to certify today and cannot access the system, calling the Telephone Claims Center is an option, though wait times may be long. For fastest service, try calling right when they open (8:00 AM) tomorrow.

Just wanted to share my experience from today - I was also locked out all morning but managed to get through around 2 PM using Firefox after switching from Chrome. What worked for me was clearing ALL browsing data (not just cache/cookies), restarting my browser completely, and then waiting about 20 minutes before trying again. The site was still really sluggish but I was able to complete my certification. For anyone still struggling, I also noticed that if you get logged out during the certification process, DON'T immediately try to log back in. Wait at least 15-20 minutes or it seems to trigger some kind of session conflict. Really hope they invest in better infrastructure soon because this stress is the last thing unemployed people need!

been there! took me 6 weeks to get my claim fixed because of some stupid paperwork issue. just keep calling and eventually youll get thru

I went through something similar a few months ago and it was incredibly frustrating. One thing that helped me was contacting my local state assembly member's office - they have caseworkers who can sometimes expedite issues with state agencies like the Department of Labor. Also, if you haven't already, try logging into your account from a different browser or clearing your cache, sometimes technical glitches prevent you from seeing important messages or documents they've requested. Don't give up on the phone calls either - I know it's exhausting but persistence really does pay off with these situations.

Hey, not sure if this helps, but I heard there's a new program for people in certain industries who've exhausted their regular benefits. Might be worth looking into if you worked in hospitality, travel, or entertainment before losing your job.

I just went through this exact situation a couple months ago! After my 26 weeks ran out, I was panicking too. Here's what I learned: there's no automatic extension right now, but definitely contact your local career center - they sometimes have emergency assistance programs or can connect you with temporary work opportunities. Also, if you haven't already, apply for SNAP benefits and see if you qualify for any utility assistance programs in your area. It's not unemployment, but it can help stretch whatever savings you have while you keep job hunting. The waiting is the worst part, but don't give up! 🙏

Check your mailing address on file too - sometimes if your address changed during the year they might have mailed it to an old address. You can update your info through the my.ny.gov portal and request a duplicate copy.

I had the same issue last month! If the Tax Documents section is empty, try clearing your browser cache and logging out/back in. Sometimes the portal has display issues. Also make sure you're looking under the right tax year - they separate them by year. If it's still not showing up after a few days, you can also call the automated line at 1-888-209-8124 and request they mail you a copy, which usually arrives within 10 business days.