I'm so grateful this thread exists! I'm currently on NYS unemployment benefits and was really anxious about visiting my family in Vermont for a long weekend next month. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has completely put my mind at ease. The consistent pattern I'm seeing is that as long as you're proactive, honest, and maintain your job search obligations, NYS Department of Labor is very reasonable about short family trips. I love the advice about treating it as a "working trip" - that really helps reframe the whole situation. I'm definitely going to call the department before I travel to get their official guidance, set up reliable internet access, and keep applying to remote positions while I'm there. It's also smart to document everything and be prepared to explain your situation if needed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences - this kind of practical advice from people who've actually been through it is invaluable for those of us navigating unemployment for the first time!

As someone who just went through this process successfully, I want to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I visited my family in North Carolina for 5 days last month while on NYS unemployment benefits. Following the advice I'd seen in forums like this, I called NYS Department of Labor ahead of time and spoke with a representative who confirmed that short family visits are fine as long as you maintain availability for work and continue job search activities. During my trip, I applied to at least 3 remote positions daily, kept detailed records in a Google Sheet, and made sure to have reliable internet (used my phone's hotspot as backup). I even had a virtual interview while there - I was upfront with the employer about visiting family and they appreciated my transparency. When filing my weekly certification, I answered honestly that I was available for work since I could have started a job immediately upon return. My benefits continued without any issues whatsoever. The key really is treating it as a working trip, not a vacation from job searching. Don't let fear of potential problems prevent you from spending time with family - just be proactive, honest, and maintain your professional obligations!

u can also fax it to 518-457-9378 but goodluck getting through... their fax is always busy fr

Another option is to try uploading it through the NY.gov unemployment portal if you have online access set up. I was able to submit mine digitally last week under the "Upload Documents" section. Saved me the hassle of mailing or calling!

Wait, I'm confused about something similar. If I worked one day but forgot to report it on my weekly claim, is that considered an overpayment? I only made like $80 that day but now I'm worried I'll owe money back.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and decided to proactively contact NYS Department of Labor when I realized I had underreported my part-time earnings. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but the representative I spoke with was actually helpful and appreciative that I came forward voluntarily. They had me submit corrected information and calculated the overpayment amount - ended up being around $900. Since I reported it myself, they waived any potential penalties and just required repayment through monthly deductions from my remaining benefits. My advice would be to contact them sooner rather than later if you're confident you made an error. The longer you wait, the more it might look like you were trying to hide something.

The whole system is rigged against small businesses IMO. We pay these huge taxes and then when we actually need to contest a fraudulent claim it takes months to get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor. Meanwhile our rates keep going up because of claims we shouldn't even be charged for!

For what it's worth, you can also appeal your experience rating if you think it's incorrect. I had to do this once when claims from a previous business acquisition were incorrectly attributed to our account. The process isn't fun but it's possible to get adjustments made. Just make sure you have good documentation of your payroll and employment records. The key is understanding that the system is meant to be self-balancing - employers who rarely have claims subsidize those who have more frequent layoffs.

Diego, I just went through this same exact situation at my coffee shop job! My hours got cut from 30+ to barely 15 per week and I was panicking about bills. Filing for partial unemployment in NY was honestly one of the best decisions I made. The process is way simpler than I thought it would be - you just file online, then do weekly check-ins where you report your hours and pay (tips included). The NYS Department of Labor system does all the calculations for you, so you don't have to stress about the math. What really saved me was starting a simple spreadsheet to track my shifts and earnings each day - made the weekly reporting super easy. Your situation with reduced restaurant hours due to slow business is exactly what this program is for. Don't overthink it like I did for weeks! The hardest part is just getting started, but once you're in the routine it becomes second nature. Definitely file ASAP since benefits only start from when you actually submit your claim, not when your hours were cut. You've got this!

Diego, I'm currently going through this exact same process! I work at a pizza place and my hours dropped from about 35 to maybe 12-15 per week because of slow winter business. Just filed for partial unemployment last month and it's been a huge help with covering expenses. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - when you file your weekly claim, make sure you have your work schedule and pay info ready before you start. The system will ask for specific dates and dollar amounts, so having everything organized makes it go much faster. Also, don't worry about making mistakes on your first few weekly filings - you can always call to correct something if needed (though getting through can take patience). Your restaurant situation sounds like a perfect case for partial benefits. The key is just being consistent with filing every week and reporting everything accurately. It's honestly been a lifesaver for me during this slow season!