I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add - make sure you keep copies of everything when you file your appeal. I learned the hard way that NYS Department of Labor sometimes "loses" paperwork. Also, if you do get a hearing scheduled, don't be intimidated if your former employer shows up with a lawyer or HR rep. The hearing officer is supposed to be neutral and will listen to both sides. Focus on the facts and stay calm. Good luck with your appeal!

I went through the exact same thing last year and won my appeal! The key is to focus on the fact that attendance issues due to medical reasons are NOT misconduct. Make sure you gather all your medical documentation, doctor's notes, and any communication you had with your employer about your medical situation. The appeal hearing is actually pretty straightforward - it's usually done over the phone and the hearing officer will ask both you and your employer questions. Don't let them intimidate you into thinking it's hopeless. NYS Department of Labor has to prove you WILLFULLY violated company policy, and needing medical care isn't willful misconduct. File that appeal ASAP and don't give up!

This thread has been super helpful! I had the same $74 increase and was convinced I was going to get hit with an overpayment demand later. It's honestly ridiculous that NYSDOL doesn't send any kind of notification about these annual adjustments - a simple automated message explaining the rate change would save so many people from panicking. I spent way too much time last week worried I'd somehow double-claimed or made some other mistake. Thanks to everyone who explained this is just the normal January adjustment based on state wage data. Definitely going to start documenting everything with screenshots from now on!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My benefit rate went from $625 to $699 seemingly overnight and I've been losing sleep over it thinking NYSDOL made some kind of error. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief - I had no idea about the annual wage adjustments that happen in January. It's honestly pretty frustrating that they don't send any kind of notification about this change. Even a simple message in our online accounts saying "Your benefit rate has been adjusted due to the 2025 annual wage review" would prevent so much anxiety. I was literally googling "unemployment overpayment penalties" at 2am last night! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is so helpful for navigating all the confusing parts of the unemployment system.

I just went through this process myself a few weeks ago. In addition to what others have mentioned, I'd recommend logging out and back into your my.ny.gov account if you don't see the direct deposit option right away - sometimes it takes a refresh for all the menu items to load properly. Also, keep your bank statement handy when you're entering the info because some banks have different routing numbers for different types of transactions. The whole process took me about 5 minutes once I found the right section, and my first direct deposit came through exactly one week later. Way faster than waiting for that debit card to arrive in the mail!

One thing I'd add - when you're setting up direct deposit, make sure to use your primary checking account that you use regularly. I made the mistake of using a secondary account that I barely check, and when there was a small issue with my first direct deposit, I didn't notice the notification email from my bank for days. Also, some credit unions have specific requirements for government deposits, so if you're with a smaller financial institution, it might be worth calling them first to confirm they can receive NYS unemployment direct deposits without any issues.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I was working as a real estate agent. Unfortunately, you're correct that as an independent contractor receiving 1099s, you won't qualify for standard NYS unemployment benefits. However, I'd recommend calling anyway to confirm your specific situation - there can be exceptions based on your work history. In the meantime, consider applying for SNAP benefits and looking into local food assistance programs. I also picked up some part-time work doing administrative tasks for other agents in my office, which helped bridge the gap. The market is definitely challenging right now, but don't give up on real estate entirely - maybe explore getting additional certifications or specializing in a niche area while you wait for things to improve. Your local real estate board might also have resources or emergency assistance programs for agents facing hardship.

I was in a very similar situation as a real estate agent about 18 months ago - no sales for over 4 months and really struggling financially. Like everyone has mentioned, you won't qualify for regular unemployment as an independent contractor with 1099 income. What saved me was getting creative with related income opportunities. I started doing virtual assistant work for agents in other markets (social media management, lead follow-up, etc.) and also picked up some property photography gigs. The VA work was especially good because I could do it from home and it paid hourly. I found most of these opportunities through Facebook groups for real estate professionals and Upwork. It's not glamorous but it kept me afloat until my sales picked back up. Also definitely apply for SNAP if you qualify - there's no shame in using available assistance programs when you need them. The real estate market is cyclical and it will improve. In the meantime, maybe use this slower period to really focus on your lead generation systems and follow up with past contacts.

ny unemployment system is so broken fr. took me 2 months to figure out partial claims 🤮

Just went through this exact situation! You're right that with 24 hours you'd get 25% of your weekly benefit rate. The $504 rule applies to what you earn during your reduced work week - so if you're making less than $504 gross per week at your current 3-day schedule, you should qualify. I'd recommend applying ASAP and certifying every week even while you're figuring it out. The system takes forever to process so better to get in the queue early. Also keep detailed records of your hours and pay stubs - they'll ask for everything when you file.