Just be careful because some severance agreements DO include salary continuation which would count as earned income. Read your severance paperwork carefully to make sure it's truly a lump sum dismissal payment.

I went through this exact situation a few months ago. Emma is right - lump sum severance is typically not considered earned income for unemployment purposes in NY. The key thing is that it's a one-time payment for job loss, not wages for work performed. I'd still recommend keeping all your severance paperwork just in case NYSDOL ever asks for documentation, but you shouldn't need to report it on your weekly claims. Just make sure you're still actively looking for work and reporting any actual earnings from new employment!

You can also set up text notifications through your my.ny.gov account settings - I found this really helpful since I don't always remember to check the website daily. Go to your profile settings and look for notification preferences. It won't replace checking your online messages but at least you'll get a heads up when something new is posted to your account.

Just wanted to add that while they don't send regular emails, you might get one if there's an issue with your weekly certification or if your claim gets flagged for review. I got an email once when I missed my weekly filing deadline - it was pretty generic but did direct me to log into my account to resolve the issue. The key thing is definitely checking your online messages frequently since that's where all the real communication happens.

This happened to my cousin too - the identity verification thing. Once he uploaded his documents it took exactly 2 days and then all the pending payments came through at once. So you should be good soon!

Great to see this got resolved! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - identity verification delays are super common, especially if you've moved recently or if there are any discrepancies between your current info and what's on file with previous employers. The key is definitely calling to find out exactly what they need rather than just waiting and hoping. I've seen people wait months when it could have been resolved in days if they'd just called sooner. The automated system won't give you the details you need - you really do need to speak with a live person to get the specifics of why your claim is under review.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know my payment came through as normal this morning, so the self-employment question didn't cause any delays. Thanks for all the helpful information everyone!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been on NY unemployment for about 6 months now. I've noticed these random verification questions popping up more frequently since the January update too. Last month I got asked about job training programs, and this week it was about whether I had any pension income. It's definitely part of their new fraud prevention system like others mentioned. The phone system has been a nightmare though - I've switched to doing everything online and it's been much more reliable. Pro tip: if you do get multiple verification questions in a row, don't panic, but do keep screenshots of your certifications as backup documentation just in case.

Just to clarify something that might be confusing - while there's no hard deadline like 30 or 90 days, you definitely want to file within your first week of unemployment if possible. I learned this the hard way when I got laid off from my warehouse job last year. The key thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are meant to replace lost wages, so every week you delay filing is potentially a week of benefits you're missing out on. The system is designed for you to file immediately after job loss, not weeks or months later. Don't overthink it - you can always provide additional documentation after you file your initial claim.

One more thing to keep in mind - when you do file, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the past 18 months ready. You'll need details like your employer's name, address, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Having this info organized beforehand will make the filing process much smoother. Also, once you file, you'll need to certify for benefits weekly (usually online or by phone) to continue receiving payments, so mark that in your calendar. Good luck with your claim!