TBH you're better off focusing on finding a job that doesn't require heavy lifting than wasting time on unemployment applications you won't qualify for. There's lots of WFH jobs these days that don't require any physical labor. That's your best bet with back problems.

I'm in a somewhat similar boat - limited work history due to health issues. One thing I'd suggest is looking into your state's vocational rehabilitation services. They can help with job training, placement assistance, and even provide accommodations for your back problems. It might be a better long-term solution than just relying on benefits. They often work with people who have physical limitations to find sustainable employment options. Worth checking out while you're exploring the SSI route.

just applied for both when i lost my job in december. got approved for medicaid within like 2 weeks and it backdated to when i applied. unemployment took longer to kick in but having the health coverage was such a relief

Just wanted to add that when you apply for medicaid while on unemployment, make sure to have your award letter from DOL handy - they'll want to see proof of your weekly benefit amount. Also, if your unemployment runs out and you're still looking for work, you can update your medicaid application to reflect the income change, which might make you eligible for even more coverage. The income limits change every year so it's worth checking even if you think you make too much!

I went through this exact same situation last month! The email mismatch definitely caused some delays in my case - I missed a few important notifications about my claim status. Here's what I did that worked: 1. I kept checking my unemployment portal daily since I wasn't getting email updates 2. Used the secure messaging system to explain the email issue to them 3. Updated my email directly on ID.me's website (not through the unemployment portal) 4. After about 2 weeks of back and forth messages, they finally updated my contact info The whole process took about 3 weeks to fully resolve, but my benefits weren't affected - just the communication. Don't panic, but definitely get it fixed soon so you don't miss any important deadlines or requests for additional info. The secure messaging system in your unemployment account is honestly more reliable than trying to call anyway.

I had this exact same issue when I applied back in August! The email mismatch definitely creates problems because you won't get important notifications about your claim status, deadlines, or requests for additional documentation. Here's what worked for me: 1. Log into ID.me directly (not through the unemployment portal) and update your email address to match your unemployment account 2. Send a secure message through your unemployment portal explaining the situation - be specific about which emails you used where 3. Keep checking your unemployment portal daily since you might miss email notifications 4. Whatever you do, DON'T create a new application - that will flag your account for potential fraud I know calling is nearly impossible, but if you can get through to someone it will speed up the process. The whole thing took me about 2-3 weeks to fully resolve through messaging, but my payments weren't delayed once I got it sorted out. The most important thing is to act quickly before you miss any important communications about your claim!

Just want to say hang in there - I know the waiting is stressful. My first claim took about 12 days and then payments started coming weekly after that. Make sure you're doing your job search requirements too because they'll ask for that documentation later.

I'm in a similar situation - just filed my claim this week after being laid off. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful but also nerve-wracking! Does anyone know if there's a way to check if your claim is progressing normally or if it's gone into adjudication? I keep logging into my.ny.gov but it just shows "claim filed" status. Also wondering if anyone has tips for the weekly certification process - want to make sure I don't mess anything up that could delay payments further.

I see from your other comments that you've been certifying regularly - that's good. One other thing to check: log into your NY.gov account and make sure your payment method is correctly set up. Sometimes when there's an issue with a claim, the system might revert to a default payment method like debit card even if you originally selected direct deposit. It's worth verifying while you're waiting to speak with someone.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! Filed a contest on my monetary determination three weeks ago because I thought they miscalculated my earnings, but then realized I was wrong about how the base period works. The waiting is absolutely killing me financially. I've tried calling dozens of times with no success - their phone system is a nightmare. Based on what others are saying here, it sounds like we just have to wait for the review process to complete even though we want to withdraw the contest. At least we can keep certifying in the meantime. Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess!