File right away! My sister's company closed and she waited thinking she needed to figure everything out first. Big mistake - you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file even if you're eligible.

So sorry to hear about your company closure - that's really stressful! I just wanted to add that when you file your claim, make sure to keep copies of everything your employer gives you about the closure (any letters, emails, final paystubs, etc.). Even though the company won't be around to respond to requests, having this documentation can help speed up your claim processing. Also, if your company is offering any severance or paying out vacation time, that might affect when your benefits start, so be sure to report those payments accurately. You've got this - unemployment benefits exist exactly for situations like yours!

Just remember that unemployment is taxable income so don't spend it all thinking it's free money. You'll owe taxes on it next year unless you have them withhold taxes from your weekly payments.

Just went through this process myself after getting laid off from my retail job. One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount is based on your earnings during your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you just started that warehouse job recently, your benefits might be calculated on lower wages from a previous job. Also, there's a one-week waiting period before you start receiving benefits, so factor that into your budget planning. The $440/week estimate sounds about right for your wage level though.

This exact same thing happened to my sister last month! She was stuck in the ID.me loop for almost 2 weeks. What finally worked for her was using a completely different email address to create a new ID.me account, then linking that to her unemployment claim. Apparently sometimes the original ID.me account gets "stuck" in their system and won't sync properly. She had to call unemployment to update her email address first, then redo the verification with the new account. Pain in the butt but it worked! Also seconding what others said about waiting 24-48 hours between attempts - their system definitely has processing delays.

Just wanted to add my experience to help others - I dealt with this EXACT same issue back in January. The ID.me verification loop is absolutely maddening! What finally worked for me was a combination of several suggestions mentioned here: I waited 48 hours after my initial ID.me verification, completely cleared my browser cache, then tried on my phone using Safari instead of the Chrome browser I'd been using. It finally let me through without asking for verification again. If that hadn't worked, I was planning to use one of those callback services people mentioned since the phone lines are basically impossible. The whole NY unemployment system feels like it was designed in 2005 and never updated. Hang in there - once you get past this verification nightmare, the rest of the process is actually much smoother!

Just FYI they review your social media. My cousin got denied because they found pics of him on vacation during weeks he claimed to be "ready and available to work" 👀

I went through this exact same situation when my retail job ended due to store closure last year. Here's what I wish someone had told me: 1) Apply TODAY online at labor.ny.gov - don't wait for your final paycheck or anything else. The waiting just costs you money. 2) You'll need your SSN, driver's license, employer info (name, address, phone), and bank details for direct deposit. Have your last few paystubs handy too. 3) Report your severance honestly when they ask. It might delay when benefits start but won't disqualify you completely. Lying about it will cause way bigger problems later. 4) The system will likely show "pending" for weeks. This is unfortunately normal but super stressful when you have bills to pay. 5) Start certifying weekly immediately after applying, even while your claim is pending. You can't get back payments for weeks you don't certify. 6) Save screenshots of EVERYTHING you submit. The system "loses" information constantly and you'll need proof of what you filed. The whole process is honestly a nightmare but you will get through it. Start looking into local food banks and ask family/friends for help if needed while you wait for benefits. Don't be too proud to ask - that's what support systems are for. You've got this! 💪

Did you check if your mail is being forwarded properly? I moved recently and forgot to update my forwarding address with USPS and that delayed my unemployment card by 2 weeks. Also make sure no one else in your building or neighbors accidentally got your mail.

I had a similar issue last month! My card took almost 4 weeks to arrive. Here's what worked for me: 1) Call KeyBank at 1-866-295-2955 early in the morning (around 8 AM) to avoid long wait times, 2) Ask them to verify the mailing address they have on file - mine had a small typo that I didn't notice, 3) If the address is wrong or the card was lost in mail, they can expedite a replacement for free. Also, once you get your card, definitely set up direct deposit through the KeyBank app or website so you don't have to deal with this again. The whole process is frustrating but hang in there!