Great to hear you got through and have a timeline! For anyone else dealing with this, I went through the same thing last month. One tip that helped me was setting up text alerts in my online banking so I'd know immediately when the redeposit hit my account. Also, if you're really tight on money while waiting, some banks will do a small emergency loan against pending direct deposits - might be worth asking about if you're a longtime customer. The whole system definitely needs work but at least there are workarounds!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had the exact same issue back in December. My payment was returned on a Wednesday and I got the redeposit the following Tuesday, so about 6 business days total. The key thing I learned is to NOT change your direct deposit info right before a payment is scheduled to go out. I made that mistake and it caused the whole mess. Now I always update banking info right after I receive a payment, giving plenty of time for the next one to process correctly. Also, if you're really stressed about timing like Bruno was, most utility companies and landlords will work with you if you explain it's a government payment delay - they've seen this before. Hope this helps someone avoid the panic I went through!

just a heads up that you still have to do job search activities even if you expect to be called back when work picks up again, learned that the hard way when they audited my claim

As a fellow union member who's been through this process, I can confirm it's pretty straightforward. One thing to add - make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after your layoff date. There's no waiting period before you can apply, and delays can affect when you start receiving benefits. Also, keep good records of all your work search activities from day one, even if you think you'll be called back soon. The NYS Department of Labor takes those requirements seriously during audits. Good luck with your claim!

The whole seasonal thing is so frustrating because NYS Department of Labor treats us like we're gaming the system but this is just how these industries work! We didn't choose to have jobs that shut down for months at a time. At least unemployment helps bridge the gap but the hoops they make you jump through are ridiculous.

One thing that helped me when I was dealing with seasonal unemployment from my restaurant job (we close in winter) was keeping really good documentation. Save all emails from your employer about closure dates and expected reopening, keep your layoff notice, and document everything when you file your claim. NYS Department of Labor sometimes asks for proof that it's truly seasonal work versus just being laid off permanently. Also, even though you're on standby status, you still need to report any part-time work you might pick up during the off-season - I learned that the hard way when I did some freelance snow removal and didn't report it properly at first.

I just went through this same frustrating process a couple weeks ago! Your IDNYC absolutely will not work - I made the mistake of trying to force those 14 digits into the 9-digit field multiple times and it just kept rejecting my application. Here's what finally worked for me: **Quick wins to try first:** - Dig through old wallets/drawers for any expired NY driver's license or passport (even expired ones work within certain timeframes) - Call unemployment at 8:01 AM sharp - sometimes they can process your claim with alternative docs if you explain the urgency **DMV backup plan:** - Non-driver ID costs $9 (bring exact cash!) - Bring birth certificate + social security card + 2 pieces of mail for address - Your IDNYC can actually help as supporting documentation even though it won't be your primary ID **Pro tip:** Download the DMV app and check appointment availability at different locations - sometimes cancellations open up same-day slots. I know this feels overwhelming when you need benefits ASAP, but don't risk submitting with wrong ID format. It'll just flag your account and create way bigger delays. The extra day or two to get proper documentation is worth avoiding weeks of bureaucratic headaches! You've got tons of good advice in this thread - multiple people have gotten through this exact situation. Hang in there! 🙏

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been a lifesaver! Just wanted to add one more option that worked for my sister last month - if you have any old school IDs from college or university that are government-issued (like from CUNY or SUNY schools), sometimes those can work as backup documentation when combined with your social security card. Also, for anyone else reading this who's in the same boat - don't panic like I did initially. This IDNYC/unemployment ID mismatch is apparently super common. The 14-digit IDNYC format just doesn't translate to the state system at all. I'm planning to try the passport hunt first (fingers crossed I can find my old one), then hit up the Jamaica Ave DMV for walk-ins if that doesn't work out. The 8:01 AM calling strategy seems like solid advice too based on everyone's experiences here. Really grateful for all the specific tips and DMV locations with walk-in hours. This community is way more helpful than trying to navigate the official websites alone! Will update once I get through the process in case it helps the next person dealing with this mess. 🙏

This exact thing happened to my sister last year! Her Greek hyphenated last name is 18 characters and the NY unemployment system kept rejecting her application. She spent THREE MONTHS going in circles until she finally got connected to someone who understood the issue. The agent told her it's a known problem with their legacy database that can only handle 12-character name fields, but most of the front-line staff don't know how to fix it. What worked for her was calling early morning (like 7:58am before they officially open) and immediately asking for a "Tier 2 specialist for database format exceptions." She also had to provide extra documentation proving her identity since the abbreviated name didn't match her SSN records. It's absolutely insane that this is still a problem in 2025, but at least there IS a solution once you get to the right person. Don't give up - you're entitled to those benefits! The system is broken, not your claim.

This is such a widespread issue and it's absolutely infuriating! I've been watching government systems struggle with basic name diversity for years. My cousin had a similar nightmare with her 16-character Armenian last name - spent over 2 months fighting the system before getting it resolved. What really bothers me is that this isn't even a hard technical problem to solve in 2025, but they'd rather make us jump through hoops than update their ancient databases. From everything I've read here, it sounds like the key is getting escalated to someone with actual authority to override the system. The "database format exception" and "name reconciliation" phrases seem to be the magic words. Also want to echo what others said about contacting your state representative's office - they often have direct lines to unemployment and can cut through the bureaucratic nonsense. This shouldn't be your burden to solve, but unfortunately that's the reality we're dealing with. Keep fighting for what you're entitled to! 💪