Can't find option to certify weekly benefits in NYDOL account - Help!
Hey everyone, I'm having trouble certifying my weekly benefits. I can't find the option in my account to do it. I tried calling the unemployment office, but I couldn't get through. They sent me a text saying I need to create a PIN, which I did, but now I'm not sure what to do next. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice on how to get this sorted out?
32 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve unemployment certification issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYdf6QME25M
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Oliver Brown
Ugh, I feel your pain. The unemployment system is such a mess rn. I had a similar issue last month. Have you tried logging out and back in? Sometimes that helps refresh the options.
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Honorah King
•Thanks for the suggestion! I tried logging out and back in, but still no luck. It's so frustrating 😫
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Mary Bates
•Classic IT solution lol. Turn it off and on again 🙄
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Oliver Brown
•Hey, don't knock it till you try it! 😂 But yeah, the system's a joke. Good luck OP!
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Clay blendedgen
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Ayla Kumar
•Sounds sketchy. Is it legit? $20 seems steep just to make a phone call.
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Clay blendedgen
•I get the skepticism, but it's totally legit. Saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo.
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Lorenzo McCormick
•How long did it take to get through? I'm desperate but $20 is a lot rn
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Clay blendedgen
•It took about 2 hours for me, but I didn't have to sit by the phone. They called when an agent was on the line. Way better than wasting a whole day dialing myself.
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Carmella Popescu
Here's what you need to do: 1. Double-check that your PIN is correctly set up in the system. Sometimes there's a delay between when you create it and when it's active. 2. Try accessing the certification page directly through this URL: [insert URL here]. Sometimes the main dashboard doesn't update properly. 3. If that doesn't work, you might need to file a new claim. The system occasionally glitches and doesn't recognize existing claims. 4. As a last resort, you'll need to speak with a rep. Try calling right when they open or just before closing - those are usually the best times to get through. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.
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Honorah King
•Thank you so much for the detailed response! I'll try these steps and report back. Fingers crossed 🤞
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Kai Santiago
•This is solid advice. Saved for future reference!
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Lim Wong
have u tried using the mobile app? sometimes it works better than the website
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Dananyl Lear
I swear they make it difficult on purpose 🤬 Been dealing with this BS for months now. The whole system needs an overhaul!
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Noah huntAce420
•Preach! 🙌 It's like they're trying to discourage people from claiming benefits we're entitled to.
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Ana Rusula
•Tinfoil hat time: maybe that's exactly what they're doing 👀
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Fidel Carson
Pro tip: if you can't certify online, you can usually do it by phone. The number should be on your paperwork. It's an automated system, so you don't have to deal with the nightmare of getting a human on the line.
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Honorah King
•Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try if the online method keeps failing.
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Isaiah Sanders
guys im in the same boat.its been 3 weeks and i still cant certify. this is rediculous!
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Xan Dae
•Hang in there, buddy. We're all struggling with this clown show 🤡
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Fiona Gallagher
Have you checked your spam folder? Sometimes important emails from unemployment end up there. They might have sent instructions or a special link to certify.
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Thais Soares
Plot twist: the unemployment office is actually run by a bunch of cats walking across keyboards. Would explain a lot tbh 😹
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Nalani Liu
•LOL that actually makes more sense than whatever's going on now 🐱💻
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Axel Bourke
•Meow meow *system error* meow 😂
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GalacticGladiator
Had this exact same issue last week! Turns out after you create the PIN, you need to wait 24-48 hours for it to fully activate in their system before the weekly certification option shows up. Super annoying that they don't tell you this upfront. Once mine activated, the "Certify for Benefits" button appeared right on the main dashboard. If it's been more than 2 days since you created your PIN and you still don't see it, definitely try the phone certification option that @Fidel Carson mentioned - that automated system saved my butt when the website was being glitchy.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•This is super helpful! I wish they'd make this waiting period more obvious - I've been refreshing my account every hour thinking something was broken. Thanks for sharing your experience, definitely gives me hope that it'll sort itself out soon 🙏
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Yuki Tanaka
Just wanted to add another data point - I had the EXACT same issue about a month ago. Created my PIN, couldn't find the certification option anywhere, spent hours thinking I was losing my mind. What finally worked for me was clearing my browser cache completely and then logging back in after waiting the 48 hours that @GalacticGladiator mentioned. The "Certify for Benefits" button magically appeared after that. Also, make sure you're using Chrome or Firefox - I noticed the site acts weird on Safari sometimes. Don't give up, the system is just incredibly user-unfriendly but it does eventually work!
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thank you so much @Yuki Tanaka and @GalacticGladiator for explaining the waiting period! I had no idea about the 24-48 hour delay - that s'probably exactly what s'happening with my account. I created my PIN yesterday so I ll'wait another day and try clearing my browser cache like you suggested. It s'ridiculous that they don t'mention this anywhere obvious, but at least now I know I m'not going crazy! Really appreciate you both sharing your experiences 🙏
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StarStrider
Another tip that might help - if you're still having trouble after the PIN activates, try logging in during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening). The system tends to be less glitchy when fewer people are using it. I learned this the hard way after trying to certify during lunch breaks and getting nothing but error messages. Also, @Honorah King, make sure you're going to the official ny.gov unemployment site and not any third-party sites that might look similar. There are some sketchy copycat sites out there that can confuse the process. Hope you get it sorted soon!
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Connor Gallagher
•Great advice about the off-peak hours! I've noticed this with other government websites too - they always seem to work better when everyone's not trying to use them at once. The tip about checking for official sites is super important too. When you're desperate to get through the system, it's easy to accidentally end up on some random site that looks legit but just makes things worse. Thanks for looking out for everyone here! 👍
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Ethan Wilson
I had this exact same problem a few weeks ago! The PIN creation process is so confusing - they really don't explain what happens next. What worked for me was logging into the mobile app instead of the website after my PIN was activated. For some reason, the certification option showed up there first before it appeared on the desktop site. Also, try checking under different menu sections - mine was buried under "Weekly Certification" instead of being on the main dashboard where you'd expect it. The whole system is honestly a nightmare to navigate, but don't give up! Once you find it the first time, it gets easier. Sending you good vibes that you get this sorted out soon! 🤞
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