Hey Olivia! You absolutely did not mess up - this is totally normal and happens to almost everyone! I went through the exact same confusion about 2 months ago. Here's what's actually happening: When you first apply, that's just collecting your initial info. But when you start the actual claiming process, NY unemployment makes you go through their updated verification system - that's why you saw the "register for direct deposit" option again. It's not that you did anything wrong the first time, it's just their way of double-checking everything through their newer security protocols. The IDme verification is completely separate - that's their anti-fraud measure that they added relatively recently. So you were supposed to do both of those steps! Since you used the same banking info both times, you're golden. The system will just confirm everything matches up and you'll be all set. I was paranoid about the same thing, but my direct deposits have been coming through perfectly ever since. The NY unemployment system really should explain this process better instead of leaving us all wondering if we broke something! But you handled it exactly right. You should see your first payment within the next 1-2 weeks. Don't stress about it! 😊

You definitely didn't mess up! I just went through this same exact situation last month and had the same panic. What's happening is that NY unemployment has this weird two-step process where your initial application just collects your info, but then when you actually start filing weekly claims, they make you verify everything again through their newer security system. The "register for direct deposit" option appearing doesn't mean you did anything wrong - it's just their confusing way of making you confirm your banking details through their updated verification process. The IDme thing is totally separate and required for pretty much everyone now. As long as you entered the same bank account info both times (which it sounds like you did), you're completely fine! I was stressed about it for weeks but my payments have been coming through perfectly ever since. The system really should just say "verify your previously entered information" instead of making it sound like you're setting up something new. You should see your first payment in about 1-2 weeks. Don't worry - you handled everything correctly! 👍

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.

Another important consideration - since this is web development contract work, make sure you understand how NYS Department of Labor handles self-employment income. As a 1099 contractor, you're technically self-employed for those weeks you're working. If you're working full-time hours on the contract (even if it's temporary), you might not be eligible for benefits during those weeks regardless of the income amount. The key is whether you're "totally unemployed" vs "partially unemployed" during each claim week. I'd recommend calling to clarify your specific situation before starting the contract.

Great advice from everyone here! I went through something similar with NYS Department of Labor last year. One additional tip - when you're reporting your contract earnings, be very specific about the dates you actually performed the work. Since freelance/contract work can sometimes have irregular schedules, I found it helpful to keep a daily log of hours worked. This made it much easier to accurately report on my weekly claims and avoided any confusion during my certification calls. Also, don't forget that as a 1099 contractor, you'll be responsible for paying self-employment taxes on that income, so set aside about 25-30% of what you earn for tax purposes.

Reading through all these experiences has been so helpful - I was in a similar panic mode thinking I was going to end up in handcuffs over unemployment issues. What really stands out from everyone's stories is that the NYS Department of Labor seems to be much more reasonable than the horror stories make them sound, especially when you're dealing with smaller amounts and you approach them proactively. The consistency in everyone's experiences (overpayment vs fraud classification, payment plans, understanding agents) gives me confidence that they're not just trying to ruin people's lives over honest mistakes. For anyone else reading this who's in the same boat - it sounds like the fear and anxiety of avoiding the situation is way worse than actually dealing with it head-on.

I'm new to this community but had to share my experience since I was in almost the exact same situation as you. I was terrified about unreported part-time work (about $3,100 over 4 months) and finally called NYS Department of Labor last month after reading similar threads. The agent was actually really professional and understanding - they immediately classified it as an overpayment rather than fraud since I was being proactive about it. They set up a payment plan for the amount plus the 15% penalty, and honestly the whole process was way less scary than I'd built it up to be in my head. The key thing that seemed to help was that I called them first instead of waiting for them to find out. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like amounts under $5,000 with no intent to defraud are handled pretty routinely. My advice: stop torturing yourself with worst-case scenarios and just make the call. The relief of having it out in the open and a concrete plan to fix it is worth so much more than continuing to live in fear.

Connor, I'm really sorry about your restaurant closing - that's such a stressful situation after 2 years of working there. Just wanted to add my voice to everyone saying yes, you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits! Business closure is one of the clearest cases for eligibility. I went through this when the bookstore I worked at closed permanently about a year ago. One tip that really helped me: when you're filling out the application, be very specific about the timeline - mention that it was a permanent closure due to financial problems and bankruptcy filing, not just a temporary shutdown. The NYS DOL system seems to process these cases faster when the circumstances are crystal clear. Also, don't stress if you can't get through on the phone right away - the online system works great for most of the process. You've got great work history from your 2 years there, so your benefits should calculate out well. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - you're going to get through this! The restaurant industry can be volatile, but your experience will definitely help you land something new.

Hey Connor, really sorry to hear about your restaurant closing - that's such a tough situation to deal with, especially when it comes so suddenly. Just wanted to chime in and confirm what everyone else is saying - you definitely qualify for unemployment benefits since this was completely out of your control. I actually just went through the NYS Department of Labor application process myself a few months ago when my job ended, and it's really not as intimidating as it seems at first. The online portal at labor.ny.gov is pretty user-friendly once you get started. One small thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you're gathering your information before applying, try to remember your exact start date at the restaurant if possible, since they ask for specific employment dates. If you can't remember the exact day, even just the month and year works fine. Also, don't worry if you feel overwhelmed by all the information on the site - you can save your application and come back to it if you need to take a break or look up any details. You've got this, and it sounds like you have a really solid case for benefits with the business closure. Good luck with everything!