bruh im on week 10 still waiting. this whole system needs to be rebuilt from scratch

I'm in the same boat - week 5 here and still waiting. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been calling every day but can never get through. Might have to try that claimyr thing people are mentioning. Hang in there, sounds like most people eventually get approved with backpay!

I've been through this process twice - once in 2019 and again in 2022. From my experience, audits can be triggered by various factors: random selection (they audit a certain percentage of claims for quality control), wage discrepancies between what you reported and what employers/IRS reported, having income from multiple sources during your claim period, or even something as simple as a data entry error somewhere in the system. The good news is that if you were honest and kept good records, you'll be fine. Start gathering everything now: bank statements for the entire claim period, all pay stubs and tax documents, your job search log with dates and company contacts, any correspondence with DOL, and documentation of any work separations. Make copies of everything before you submit. Most importantly, respond to all their requests promptly and completely. In both of my audits, I didn't owe anything back because I had been truthful throughout the process. The waiting is the worst part, but try to stay calm and organized.

I'm going through an audit right now too and wanted to share what I've learned from the process so far. Mine was triggered because I had reported some seasonal work income that apparently didn't align perfectly with the employer's quarterly wage reports to the state. The auditor explained that they use automated systems to cross-check claims data with multiple sources - employer reports, IRS records, and even other state databases if you moved or worked across state lines. What's been helpful for me is creating a timeline document that shows exactly when I worked, when I got paid, and which weekly certification I reported each payment on. The DOL auditor actually appreciated this level of organization when I submitted it. One thing I didn't expect was that they also wanted documentation of any benefits or assistance I received during the claim period - things like SNAP, utility assistance, or even help from family members. Apparently they want to make sure you weren't receiving unreported support that might have affected your eligibility. It's definitely stressful, but staying organized and being completely transparent seems to be the best approach. The process is taking about 8-10 weeks in my case, but they've been communicating regularly about what they need and when.

Congrats on the new job! I'm in a similar spot - got offered a position but won't start for another two weeks. Should I report the job offer on my weekly claim or wait until I actually start working?

Just went through this exact situation last month! You definitely want to keep filing your weekly claims and report all work accurately. I made the mistake of thinking I should stop filing completely when I got a job, but then the position ended after just 2 weeks and I had to go through the whole process of reopening my claim. It was a nightmare and delayed my benefits for weeks. The key is being consistent with your weekly certifications - report everything truthfully and let the system calculate your benefits. Your claim will essentially be "dormant" while you're working full-time but ready to activate again if needed.

The whole system is so confusing!! Why don't they explain this stuff better when you first apply? I've been terrified to take any work because I thought I'd lose everything.

Just want to add my experience - I was in a similar situation and decided to keep filing while working part-time. Best decision I made! The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap until my hours increased. The key is being completely honest about your earnings on the weekly certification. NYS Department of Labor has gotten pretty good at cross-checking with employers, so don't try to hide income. Also, if your part-time job does become full-time and you're earning over your benefit amount, your claim will just go dormant and you can reactivate it later if needed without losing your remaining benefit weeks.

Same boat here! Started collecting in January and wasn't sure about the job search thing either. Glad someone asked this question because I was worried I was missing something important.

Just to add some clarity on what counts as valid work search activities - I went through this last year. Besides job applications, you can also count things like attending virtual career workshops, registering with temp agencies, creating profiles on job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter, and even informational interviews. The key is to keep good records with dates and details. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything. Also, if you're having trouble finding 3 activities per week in your specific field, you can broaden your search to related fields or consider remote opportunities. The DOL understands that some industries have limited openings, but they want to see genuine effort.