Have you tried the virtual assistant on the unemployment website? Sometimes it can help with verification issues. But honestly talking to a real person is the fastest solution. I spent 2 weeks trying to DIY before finally getting through to someone who fixed it in 5 minutes.

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been waiting 6 days for my ID.me verification code and nothing. What's really frustrating is that my friend applied for unemployment in a different state and their verification went through instantly. It seems like NY's system integration with ID.me is particularly broken. I'm going to try some of the suggestions here like using incognito mode and checking different email folders. Really hoping we can get this sorted soon because the financial stress is real when you're counting on these benefits to pay rent 😰

This reminds me of when I was unemployed in 2019 and kept hearing about how great the job market was. Turns out we were getting close to that danger zone of too-low unemployment. Then 2020 hit and... well, we all know what happened. Now I'm back on unemployment again and at least the NYS Department of Labor system seems more prepared this time.

interesting question OP! never thought about it that way

8.5% is definitely high! I remember during the recession it got up to like 12% in some areas and that's when all the extended programs kicked in. You should definitely be eligible for something extra.

I'm in a similar situation - been on UI for about 14 weeks and my county's unemployment rate is around 9.2%. From what I've researched, New York does have Extended Benefits but they're tied to both state and federal triggers. The state trigger is usually around 6.5% as others mentioned, but there's also a federal component that looks at how current rates compare to previous years. I'd recommend checking the NYS DOL website weekly since EB status can change month to month. Also, if you're getting close to exhausting your regular benefits, make sure you keep certifying even if the system seems to glitch - I heard some people had issues with automatic transitions to EB programs.

Good luck with your claim! I was in a similar situation with part-time work and it worked out fine. The key is just making sure you have all your employment information ready when you file.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your earnings history on the NYS Department of Labor website before applying. Log into your NY.gov account and look at your wage and tax statements - this will show you exactly what quarters and amounts they have on file for you. That way you can calculate beforehand whether you meet either the wage requirements or the 20-week/$260 average requirement. It's under "View Wage and Tax Information" in your online services account. This helped me figure out my eligibility before I even filed my claim.

You can absolutely still file! I was in almost the exact same situation - got laid off in June and didn't file until December because I kept thinking I'd land something soon. NYS DOL processed my claim without any issues. Just be prepared that they'll ask about the gap during your eligibility determination call, but having your layoff documentation showing budget cuts will help. The hardest part for me was accepting that I lost out on 6 months of benefits I could have been collecting while job searching. Don't make the same mistake I did - file today! The my.ny.gov portal is pretty straightforward to use.

I'm in a similar boat - got laid off in August and just now getting around to filing. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful! One thing I'm wondering about is whether I need to report any odd jobs or gig work I did during those months I wasn't filing? I did some freelance work here and there to make ends meet but nothing substantial. Should I mention that when I file or just focus on the main employment history from my regular job? Don't want to complicate things but also want to be honest about everything.