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Actually yes! I tried the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above and got through in about 20 minutes this morning. The agent was able to fix my denied claim - turns out it was a simple data entry error on their end. Such a relief!
I've been dealing with the same nightmare for weeks! The phone system is absolutely broken. What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies - I called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday using the 1-6-1 menu sequence someone mentioned, and also kept submitting messages through the online portal. It took about 12 attempts but I finally got through last week. The key is being persistent and trying multiple approaches at once. Don't give up - your benefits are worth fighting for! Also make sure you keep certifying weekly while you're trying to resolve this.
Ugh the whole system is so frustrating!!! I'm dealing with something similar and it's been WEEKS of waiting. Why does everything with unemployment have to be so complicated? Just want to know if I qualify or not!
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. The key thing to understand is that "good cause" in NY is very specific - it's not just about a bad boss or toxic workplace, but about conditions that would force any reasonable person to quit. Things like documented harassment, unsafe working conditions, or significant changes to your job that weren't agreed to. I'd strongly recommend consulting with an employment attorney before you quit if possible. Many offer free consultations and can help you understand if your situation meets the legal standard for good cause. Also, consider filing complaints with HR, your state's labor board, or OSHA first if applicable - having a paper trail of trying to resolve issues internally really strengthens your case. The process is stressful and can take months, so make sure you have a financial backup plan regardless of what you decide.
After seeing your post, I wanted to follow up. Were you able to get through to anyone? I know how stressful this waiting game can be.
Yes! I actually used that Claimyr service you mentioned and got a callback in about 30 minutes! The agent was super helpful and verified my identity right over the phone. Had to answer a bunch of questions about my work history and some personal info that matched my tax records. She said my payments should start processing within 3-5 business days. SUCH a relief after weeks of ID.me hell. Thanks for the suggestion!
So glad to hear you got it sorted out! I'm actually dealing with the same ID.me nightmare right now - it keeps rejecting my selfie even though I'm following all their instructions. The lighting thing is so finicky and then it times out halfway through. I've been on hold with NYSDOL for over an hour today but seeing all these success stories gives me hope. Going to check out that Claimyr service too. It's crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get our own benefits!
To update everyone on this thread: As of April 2025, NYSDOL processes payment batches on Tuesdays and Fridays. If your certification is processed after the Tuesday batch, you'll be in Friday's batch. Then your bank's processing time adds 1-3 business days depending on the financial institution. For the original poster, since you certified on Sunday and it's now Thursday, your payment was likely included in Tuesday's batch and should arrive by Friday or Monday at the latest, assuming no holds on your account.
I went through this exact same process back in February 2025 and can relate to the stress! For me, it took exactly 6 business days from certification to seeing the money in my account. The key thing that helped my anxiety was setting up text alerts through my bank so I'd know the moment the deposit hit instead of constantly checking my balance. Also, once you get that first payment, the weekly ones come much faster - usually 2-3 days max. Hang in there, it's coming!
Mateo Hernandez
This reminds me of when I got laid off from my restaurant job last year. Different situation but I was also worried about whether I'd qualify. The NYS Department of Labor process was actually pretty straightforward once I got started. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week no matter what!
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CosmicCruiser
•Good reminder about the weekly claims - I don't want to mess that up if I do get approved.
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Jean Claude
I went through something similar about a year ago when I got fired after reporting unsafe working conditions at a warehouse. Filed for unemployment right away and got approved even though my employer tried to contest it. The key is having your documentation ready - those emails you sent about the safety issues will be crucial. NYS Department of Labor definitely protects workers who report legitimate safety concerns. Don't let them intimidate you into thinking you don't deserve benefits. You were doing the right thing by speaking up about dangerous conditions.
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