Yes, there are separate penalties for late filing and late payment with NYS Department of Labor. Even if you file your quarterly report on time, you'll still face interest charges and penalties if you don't pay the taxes owed by the deadline. The interest rate is set by the state and compounds daily, so it adds up quickly. I learned this the hard way when I had a cash flow issue one quarter - filed on time but paid a week late and got hit with both interest and a penalty fee. It's worth setting up automatic payments or at least calendar reminders to avoid these extra costs.

For penalty specifics, NYS Department of Labor typically charges 1% per month for late payments (with a minimum penalty) plus daily compound interest that's adjusted periodically. The exact rates can change so check their current penalty schedule. As for automatic payments, you can set them up through the NY.gov online services portal once you have your employer account established - look for the "Online Services" section on the DOL website. You'll need your employer registration number to access it. I'd recommend calling them to confirm the current penalty structure since rates can shift annually, and having that direct confirmation helps with your budgeting planning.

I'm brand new to this community but found this thread while going through my own adjudication nightmare. I've been stuck for about 4 weeks now after being laid off due to company budget cuts - another straightforward case that somehow needs "investigating." Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and horrifying! I had no idea so many people were dealing with the exact same situation. The complete lack of communication from NYS Department of Labor is what's driving me the most crazy - how hard would it be to just tell us what they're reviewing and give us a rough timeline? I've started implementing all the advice I've seen here: taking screenshots, keeping detailed logs, filing weekly claims religiously, and I'm going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow morning. The financial stress is already mounting and I can't imagine dealing with this for 8-10 weeks like some of you have. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it really helps to know we're not alone in this broken system, even though that doesn't make it any less frustrating!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to the adjudication nightmare! I've been stuck for about 5 weeks now after being laid off from my retail job due to store closure - another completely straightforward case that somehow requires extensive "investigation." Finding this thread has been both a relief (knowing I'm not alone) and incredibly frustrating (seeing how widespread this problem is). I've been religiously following all the advice shared here: filing weekly claims, taking screenshots, keeping detailed logs, and I even managed to get through via the 8 AM calling strategy once, but the agent could only tell me my case was "pending review" with no timeline or specifics. The financial anxiety is overwhelming - I'm already behind on my phone bill and using food banks to get by. What really gets me is how NYS Department of Labor can just leave thousands of people in limbo for months with zero communication about straightforward layoff cases. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and advice - this community is literally the only place I've found any useful information about what to expect during this broken process!

The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing when you're filling it out the first time. I made mistakes too but they were able to correct mine during the adjudication process. Just be honest about what needs to be fixed when you talk to them. They deal with this stuff all the time and know people make errors.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago. Made errors on my work history dates and was panicking thinking I'd get denied. The key is to NOT file a new claim - that will just create more problems. Instead, when you get your first eligibility interview (which you probably will since your claim is pending), that's when you can explain the mistakes and they'll update your information right then. The caseworker told me they expect people to make errors on their first application and they have procedures to fix them. Just have your correct employment dates and documentation ready when they call you.

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation and wanted to share what I learned from calling NYS DOL directly. They confirmed that you can collect benefits while waiting for a job to start as long as you meet two key criteria: 1) You're genuinely available and able to work immediately if another opportunity arose, and 2) Your start date is more than one week away. The rep I spoke with emphasized that having a future job offer doesn't disqualify you - what matters is your current employment status and availability. She also mentioned that many people worry unnecessarily about this scenario, but it's actually very common and the system is set up to handle it. The most important thing is being honest on your weekly certifications and continuing to actively search for work until you actually start your new position. Document everything and treat it like any other unemployment period in terms of your job search obligations.

I'm actually going through this right now too! Just wanted to add that when I filed my initial claim online, there was a specific section asking about any pending employment. I was honest about my February start date and the system processed my claim normally. The key thing I've learned from this thread and my own research is that you're genuinely unemployed until you actually start working and receiving paychecks. Background checks can fail, companies can change their minds, or economic conditions can shift - nothing is guaranteed until you're actually on the job. I've been doing my weekly certifications for about a month now and haven't had any issues. Just make sure you're legitimately available for other immediate work (which it sounds like you are since you need the income) and keep up with your job search requirements. The peace of mind knowing I have some income coming in while I wait has been huge. Good luck with your new position when it starts!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Had my payments going to my mom's account initially and needed to switch to my own. The online method worked perfectly for me - just log into your NY.gov account and look for "Payment Options" or "Direct Deposit" in your unemployment dashboard. You'll need your routing number (9 digits) and account number ready. One tip: make sure your new account has been open for at least a few days before making the switch, as some banks need time to fully activate ACH capabilities. Also, don't stress about delays - in my experience the change took effect within one payment cycle. Just make sure to coordinate with your girlfriend so she knows when to expect the last payment to her account!

Just a heads up - if you're switching from your girlfriend's account to your own, you might want to give both banks a quick call to let them know about the change. When I switched from my sister's account to mine, her bank was fine since payments were just stopping, but my bank temporarily flagged the first unemployment deposit as suspicious since it was a larger amount than usual. I had to verify it was legitimate, but they cleared it the same day. Also, make sure your girlfriend knows which payment will be the last one to her account - it helps avoid any confusion when that final deposit hits. The whole process is pretty straightforward once you have your routing and account numbers ready!