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If you're having trouble getting through to the IRS about your unemployment tax refund status, I had luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of being on hold trying to check my refund status.
The unemployment tax situation is so confusing. I got unemployment benefits in 2023 but didn't realize I could get a refund until this year. Can I still file an amended return for that?
Restaurant industry is notorious for pulling this crap. They cut your hours instead of laying you off properly so they don't have to pay into the unemployment system as much. At least NY lets you collect partial benefits unlike some states. Make sure you document everything in case they try to fight your claim later.
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to discuss your specific situation, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to speak with real agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals when I needed to clarify some details about my claim status.
Honestly the whole system is confusing and they don't explain anything clearly. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and half the time I don't understand what they're asking for. But no, unemployment is definitely not social security - completely different bureaucracies making your life difficult in different ways!
Just to add - your unemployment benefits might be taxable income for federal taxes, but that's different from affecting Social Security. Make sure you're setting aside money for taxes if you're not having them withheld from your NYS Department of Labor payments.
Tyrone Hill
If you really need to get through to NYS Department of Labor to understand your options better, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual agent when the phone lines are impossible. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out before you make any drastic decisions.
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Toot-n-Mighty
•never heard of that but honestly anything is better than trying to call NYS Department of Labor directly. those phone lines are a nightmare
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Lena Kowalski
Look into constructive dismissal. If they're making your work environment unbearable or cutting your hours significantly, you might be able to quit and still qualify for benefits. Document everything - the hour cuts, any harassment, policy changes that affect your pay. NYS Department of Labor sometimes approves claims when people quit for 'good cause.
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Sienna Gomez
•I've been keeping track of my schedule changes. They cut me from 35 hours to about 20 hours per week over the last month. Would that count as good cause?
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