I've been on UI for about 4 months and was also worried about audits at first. What helped me was calling the DOL directly to ask about their documentation requirements - they told me that as long as you're keeping records of at least 3 job contacts per week (which is their minimum requirement) with dates, company names, and how you applied, you're meeting their standards. I use a simple notebook to track everything and haven't had any issues. The rep also mentioned that most audits happen within the first few weeks of a claim if there are immediate red flags, so if you've been claiming for 6 months without issues, you're probably in good shape.

I've been on unemployment for about 8 months and never got audited. From what I understand, they mostly target people who have inconsistencies in their reporting or unusual patterns. I keep a simple Excel spreadsheet with all my job applications - date, company, position, how I applied, and any follow-up. Takes maybe 5 minutes each week to update and gives me peace of mind. The way I see it, if you're following the rules and keeping records, an audit would actually just confirm you're doing everything right. Don't let the anxiety consume you - focus that energy on your job search instead!

This is such an important thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I've been dealing with something similar and it's honestly scary how sophisticated these scams are getting. What really helped me was creating a simple checklist after reading through all these responses: 1) Never click links in emails claiming to be from government agencies, 2) Always manually type official websites (like labor.ny.gov) into your browser, 3) Check the actual sender email address, not just the display name, 4) Remember that real DOL communications usually come through your online account portal first, and 5) When in doubt, call the official number from their website (even if the hold times are brutal). I also set up credit monitoring after reading about how these unemployment scams often lead to other types of identity theft. It's a small monthly fee but worth the peace of mind. Stay vigilant everyone - these criminals are unfortunately getting better at what they do, but at least we can help each other spot the red flags!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I work in banking and we've been seeing a massive uptick in unemployment-related identity theft cases over the past year. A few additional tips from what I've observed: 1) If scammers have filed a fraudulent claim in your name, you might start receiving unexpected 1099-G tax forms in January showing unemployment income you never received - definitely contest these with the IRS immediately, 2) Sometimes the first sign isn't even an email but rather your employer getting contacted by DOL to verify your employment status, so give your HR department a heads up about potential fraud, and 3) Consider setting up a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to monitor for any suspicious activity there too, since unemployment fraud often goes hand-in-hand with Social Security fraud. The good news is that once you report it and get through to the right people, NYS DOL has gotten much better at flagging and preventing further fraudulent activity on your SSN. Just be persistent with those phone calls and document everything!

Just because an employer is exempt from FUTA doesn't mean you can't collect unemployment. The key things that matter for NYS Department of Labor eligibility are whether you earned enough wages in covered employment and whether you lost your job through no fault of your own. Check your earnings statement on the my.ny.gov portal to see if your wages were reported.

I think people get confused because there are different types of exemptions. Some employers are exempt from paying federal unemployment tax but still have to pay state unemployment insurance. Others might be exempt from both. The NYS Department of Labor website has a whole section explaining covered vs non-covered employment if you want to dig deeper into it.

Just make sure you understand that your unemployment benefits might be reduced based on your work history and wages. Since you were working part-time, your weekly benefit amount will be calculated on those earnings, not your social security amount.

I'm in a similar situation - 65 and collecting social security but was working part-time at a retail job until they cut hours completely. From what I've learned, you definitely can collect both, but be prepared for the paperwork. You'll need to report your social security income on your weekly certification, and yes, you still have to do the job search requirements even at our age. It feels a bit ridiculous sometimes, but that's the law. The good news is that your social security won't count against your unemployment eligibility, it's just something you have to disclose. Make sure you have all your employment records ready when you file - they'll want your last employer info, wages, etc. Good luck!

My brother did this and got his benefits no problem. The voluntary part doesn't matter - what matters is WHY the layoff happened. If it's because the company needs to reduce headcount, you're good. Just document everything!

I actually just went through the NYS Department of Labor website and their handbook specifically mentions that voluntary layoffs are eligible for benefits as long as the separation is due to "lack of work" on the employer's part. The key is that you're not quitting your job - you're accepting an offer to be laid off because the company needs to reduce staff. I'd recommend calling the Department of Labor directly at 1-888-209-8124 to confirm your specific situation, especially if your severance package has any unusual terms. Also make sure to file your claim as soon as your last day of work, don't wait!