This is exactly why the unemployment system is broken! They can just randomly hold your money without even telling you what's wrong. I went two weeks without benefits because of some mystery issue that took forever to resolve. The whole NYS Department of Labor system needs to be completely overhauled.

@Maya Diaz - I've been dealing with NYS unemployment for over a year and this exact scenario happened to me twice. When it shows "payment issued" but your bank account is empty, it usually means one of three things: 1) There's a bank processing delay (can take 1-3 business days even after "issued"), 2) Your bank rejected the deposit for some reason (wrong account info, closed account, etc.), or 3) NYS put a temporary hold that doesn't show up in your online portal. I'd recommend calling your bank first to see if they have any record of a pending or rejected deposit - that's usually faster than trying to get through to DOL. If your bank shows nothing, then you'll need to bite the bullet and keep calling the unemployment line until you get through.

same boat here, got let go two weeks ago and finally filed my claim yesterday. wish someone told me sooner not to wait! the online application wasn't as bad as i thought it would be

Don't stress too much about the process - you're doing the right thing by filing immediately! Since you were laid off due to budget cuts (not misconduct), you should definitely qualify. One tip that helped me when I was in your situation: gather all your employment documents before you start the online application - pay stubs, your termination letter if you have one, and your employer's contact info. The my.ny.gov site will walk you through each step. Also, once you file, you'll need to certify for benefits every week (usually Sunday-Saturday), so mark your calendar. The first payment typically comes within 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Hang in there!

UPDATE: I finally got it to work! I was definitely putting it in the wrong section. And the lighting tip was super helpful too. I put my SS card on a dark blue towel and made sure all four corners were visible. Thanks everyone for your help! My verification is processing now.

For anyone still struggling with this, here's what worked for me when I had the same "can't find a pic" error: Make sure your phone camera is completely clean (mine had a smudge I didn't notice), take the photo in natural daylight near a window if possible, and hold your phone steady for an extra second after taking the photo. The system seems really picky about image quality. Also, if you're using an older phone, try borrowing a newer one with a better camera - that made all the difference for my friend who was having the same issue.

UPDATE: I finally got through this morning using the Claimyr service someone recommended. It was strange having another service call for me, but it worked! The agent I spoke with was actually helpful (unlike the last one) and found that there was an "identity verification issue" on my account. Apparently they sent a letter requesting additional documents to my old address even though I updated it in the system! They're sending a new request to my current address and once I submit the documents my claim should be processed within 7-10 business days. She also said I'll get paid for all the weeks I've been certifying once it's approved! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. This has been such a stressful experience, but at least now I know what's going on.

So glad to hear you finally got some answers! This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up - the system is broken but there are ways to work around it. Identity verification issues are super common, especially after the system migration in December. The fact that they sent documents to your old address even though you updated it is so typical of their terrible communication. Just a heads up - when you get that letter, read it VERY carefully and make sure you submit exactly what they're asking for. Sometimes they're picky about document formats or dates. And definitely keep copies of everything you send! Really happy this worked out for you. Hopefully others in similar situations will see your update and know there's hope!

The whole system is set up to screw people over. They don't tell you about deadlines clearly, then act like it's your fault when you miss benefits. I bet half the people who deserve UI never even know they can apply.

I just went through this exact situation last month! You definitely can't get those 6 weeks back, but don't let that stop you from filing immediately. Even though you missed out on some benefits, you can still collect for the remaining weeks of your unemployment. The application process online isn't too bad once you get started - just make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and any paperwork from your employer ready. Also keep in mind you'll need to certify for benefits every week going forward, so set a reminder for yourself. Better to start collecting something now than to keep waiting and lose even more potential benefits.