Anyone know if theres a limit to how far back they'll go? I lost my job in January but didnt realize I could file until now 😬

I just went through this process last month! Here's what worked for me: I called first thing in the morning (around 8:15am) and got through after about 45 minutes. The key is having your story straight - I explained that I had technical issues with the website when I first tried to file. They asked for screenshots of error messages (which I didn't have) but accepted my detailed explanation of what happened. They were able to backdate 3 weeks for me. Make sure you have your SSN, employment dates, and reason for delay ready before you call. Don't give up - it's totally doable!

I tried Claimyr last week for the same issue (stuck in ID verification with effective days showing 0). Finally got through to someone who could help after trying for weeks on my own. The agent told me there was a flag on my account because I had two employers in my base period, and they were waiting on information from my second employer. She was able to override it since they had already waited past the employer response deadline. Got paid all my back weeks 2 days later. Before using the service I was on the verge of taking out a payday loan just to make rent.

UPDATE: I used Claimyr this morning and got through to an agent in about 25 minutes! You guys were right - it was an ID verification issue combined with them waiting for info from my previous employer. The agent was able to see that they had sent a request to my employer who never responded, and since it was past the deadline, she manually approved my claim! She said I should see all my back payments within 3 business days. THANK YOU all for your help - I was seriously about to have a breakdown over this.

yeah my old job tried to fight my claim too even though they cut my hours to basically nothing. employers hate paying into the system but they still have to do it. as long as you keep filing your weekly claims and do your job search requirements you should be fine

Just to add some clarity on the employer contest process - even if your boss does try to fight your claim, you'll get a notice from NYS DOL if that happens and you'll have a chance to respond with your side of the story. Since you mentioned you were laid off from your warehouse job, that's typically considered "no fault" separation and should qualify you for benefits. Keep all your documentation from the layoff just in case, like any termination letters or emails about workforce reduction. The fact that your employer is grumpy about the cost doesn't change your eligibility if you legitimately lost your job through no fault of your own.

I went through this exact same nightmare about 2 months ago! The ID.me verification definitely holds up ALL your payments until it's complete. A few things that helped me get through it: 1. Clear your browser cache completely before starting 2. Make sure you're not using any ad blockers or extensions that might interfere 3. Try doing it during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) when fewer people are using the system 4. If you have an old phone, the camera quality might not be good enough - I had to borrow my friend's newer phone to get a clear enough photo The whole process is a pain but once it's done, you should get all your back payments in one lump sum. Don't give up! And definitely keep certifying your weekly claims even while you're waiting for verification to complete.

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been waiting 2 weeks for my payments and just found out it's because of this ID.me verification requirement. The system keeps crashing when I try to upload my documents too. Reading through all these comments is actually really helpful - I had no idea about the file size limits or using different browsers. Going to try the Chrome + white background + good lighting combo that seems to work for people. It's so stressful when you need the money for basic expenses like rent! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips.

just keep filing ur weekly claims even if ur initial claim isnt approved yet thats what they told me to do

Hey PrinceJoe, I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I lost my job at a hotel in Manhattan. 10 days is still within the normal range, though I totally understand the anxiety. My claim took about 16 days to get approved. The key thing is to make sure you're logging into your NY.gov account every day to check for any messages or requests for additional documentation. Sometimes they'll ask for proof of employment or other documents and if you miss that notification, it can add weeks to your processing time. Also, definitely start filing your weekly claims now even though your initial claim is still pending - that's what the system expects you to do.