Just want to add that you should still try to make all your regular payments on time even while on unemployment. The benefit amount is usually less than your full salary, so budget carefully to avoid late payments that WOULD hurt your credit.

Great question and I'm glad you asked before filing! Everyone else is absolutely right - unemployment benefits won't show up on your credit report or affect your score. I went through the same worry when I was laid off from my tech job last year. Filed my claim right away and my credit score actually went UP a few points during those months (probably just normal fluctuation). The key is keeping up with your existing payments as others mentioned. NYS unemployment maxes out at $504/week so definitely budget accordingly if you're used to a higher income.

Glad you got it sorted out! The VPN issue is actually pretty common with ID.me - their system flags VPN traffic as potentially suspicious which can cause verification to stall. For anyone else reading this thread who might be stuck at the same spot, here's a quick checklist that usually helps: ✓ Use Chrome or Firefox (avoid Safari/Edge) ✓ Set browser zoom to 100% ✓ Disable VPN and any privacy extensions temporarily ✓ Use natural lighting or a bright lamp ✓ Make sure all four corners of your ID are visible in the photo ✓ Clear browser cache before starting If you're still having issues after trying these steps, the video verification call option through ID.me support is usually the fastest backup solution. The whole process has definitely gotten more reliable over the past year, but these technical hiccups still happen occasionally.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in tech support - the ID.me verification issues you experienced are super common and it's great that you got it resolved! For future reference, another thing that can cause problems is having multiple tabs open with the same site. ID.me sessions can conflict with each other if you have the NY unemployment portal open in multiple browser tabs. Also, if anyone is still having trouble after trying all the browser fixes mentioned here, you can actually call ID.me support directly at 1-855-438-3291. Their phone support is usually faster than the chat option, especially during business hours. They can walk you through the verification process step by step or set up the video call verification immediately. The whole system definitely needs to be more user-friendly, but at least there are workarounds when it gets stuck!

The whole system is a mess honestly. I've been unemployed for 2 months and still dealing with adjudication issues. Even when the system is 'open' half the time it doesn't work properly.

I've been dealing with the same frustration! One tip that helped me - if you're getting errors during the Sunday morning maintenance window (2-6 AM), try using the mobile app instead of the website. Sometimes one works when the other doesn't. Also, make sure you're using the correct login credentials - I had issues because I was mixing up my NY.gov account with my old unemployment login. The system can be really picky about browser settings too, so try clearing your cache or using incognito mode if you keep hitting walls.

One more thing - your benefit year is exactly 52 weeks from when you first filed, but you can only collect for up to 26 of those weeks. So if you find work and then get laid off again within that same benefit year, you might be able to reopen your claim instead of filing a new one. Just something to keep in mind for planning purposes.

Just to add to what everyone's saying - make sure you also know about the waiting week! In NY there's usually a one-week waiting period before you start receiving benefits, so your first payable week is actually the second week after you file. Also, if you're in construction like the original poster, you might want to look into whether your union has any additional resources or job placement services that could help with your search requirements. The building trades often have their own networks that can count toward your job contacts.

Adding to all the great advice here - one thing that really helped me when I went through this process was downloading the NY DOL mobile app. It makes weekly certifications SO much easier, especially if you're traveling or away from your computer. You can certify from anywhere as long as you have cell service. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes longer than expected. Mine took about 3 weeks from when I first applied, which felt like forever when I was stressed about bills. The waiting week plus processing time can make it feel really slow, but it does come through eventually. One last thing - if you have any issues with your claim (like if it gets flagged for review), don't just wait around hoping it resolves itself. Call or use one of those callback services people mentioned. I waited 6 weeks thinking my claim would automatically process, when really there was just a simple question they needed answered that took 5 minutes to resolve once I finally got through to someone. You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started, and it sounds like you're already on the right track.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and want to echo what everyone's saying - file ASAP! Don't overthink it. The NY system is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. One thing I wish someone had told me: after you file your initial claim, you'll get a determination letter in the mail (usually within 1-2 weeks) that shows your weekly benefit amount. READ IT CAREFULLY! Mine had an error where they missed one of my previous employers, which would have reduced my benefits significantly. I caught it and was able to get it corrected before it became a bigger issue. Also, for the work search requirement - networking counts too! If you have coffee with someone in your field to discuss job opportunities, that can count as one of your three weekly activities. Just document who you met with, when, and what you discussed about potential opportunities. The whole process really isn't as scary as it seems when you're staring at that application for the first time. Take it one step at a time and you'll be fine!