Just wanted to add that you can also check your benefit information by calling the Tele-Claim line at 888-581-5812. It's automated and available 24/7, so you don't have to deal with hold times. When you call, have your SSN ready and follow the prompts - it will tell you your remaining benefit balance, weeks left, and benefit year end date. I find this quicker than navigating the website sometimes, especially when the portal is being slow or glitchy.

Another thing to keep in mind - if you're worried about running out of benefits, start documenting everything now! Keep detailed records of your job search activities, any part-time work you do, and save all your weekly certification confirmations. If you end up needing to file a new claim after your benefit year expires, having organized records will make the process much smoother. Also, consider reaching out to your local American Job Center (formerly One-Stop) - they often have career counselors who can help with job search strategies and might know about local hiring events or training programs that could help you land something before your benefits run out.

I'm in a similar situation - just started collecting UI last month and considering doing some gig work to supplement. Reading through these responses is really helpful! One question I have is about tracking expenses - if I'm doing DoorDash and spending money on gas, can I deduct those expenses from what I report to NYS DOL, or do I need to report the full gross amount before any expenses? I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly from day one.

Another important thing to keep in mind - when you're doing DoorDash or any gig work while on UI, make sure you're setting aside money for taxes! Since you're getting 1099 income, there won't be any taxes withheld, so you might owe at tax time. I usually put about 25-30% of my gig earnings in a separate account to cover self-employment taxes. Also, keep detailed records of all your deliveries, mileage, and expenses - it'll make tax season much easier and help you maximize your deductions when you file.

I went through something similar last year and can share what happened. I forgot to report about $200 in odd jobs over a few weeks. When I realized my mistake, I immediately called NYS Department of Labor (took forever to get through) and voluntarily reported it. They were actually pretty understanding since I came forward on my own. They calculated an overpayment of about $85 that I had to pay back, but no penalties since it was clearly an honest mistake and I self-reported. The key is being proactive - don't wait for them to find it during an audit. Document everything about the work you did (dates, amounts, who paid you) before you contact them. It shows you're being thorough and honest about the situation.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and want to share some practical advice. First, definitely contact NYS Department of Labor as soon as possible - waiting only makes it look worse if they discover it themselves. When you call, have all your documentation ready: exact dates you worked, amount earned, and who paid you. They'll ask specific questions and being prepared shows good faith. In my case, I had unreported income of about $300 over several weeks and they calculated an overpayment, but because I self-reported they waived any penalties. The overpayment was much less than I expected because they only reduce benefits proportionally, not dollar-for-dollar. The whole process took about 6 weeks to resolve, and I was able to continue receiving benefits for the weeks where I properly reported income. Don't panic - honest mistakes happen and they handle them much differently than intentional fraud.

As someone new to this community, I just want to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips! I'm currently dealing with a similar address update situation and was feeling completely overwhelmed trying to navigate the NYSDOL website. Reading through all these real-world solutions and workarounds has been incredibly helpful. It's clear that the official process is confusing and frustrating for everyone, but seeing how this community comes together to help each other figure out what actually works is really encouraging. I'm planning to try the fax route with the number provided, making sure to include "ADDRESS CHANGE REQUEST" at the top and my claim number on every page. Will also look into that Claimyr service if I need to follow up. Thanks again everyone!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to share my recent experience with the address update process since I see others are still struggling with this. I successfully updated my address last week using a combination of the strategies mentioned here. I faxed my documents to (518) 457-9378 using the early morning timing tip (sent at 7:15 AM), included "ADDRESS CHANGE REQUEST" in large letters at the top, and put my claim number on every single page. I sent both my lease agreement and electric bill together as suggested. The key thing that made a difference was calling to confirm receipt using that Claimyr service - without that follow-up call, I think my documents might have sat unprocessed. The whole thing took 6 days from fax to address verification, and my benefits resumed with the next certification. For anyone still waiting, don't lose hope! This community's advice really works if you follow all the detailed steps. The system is definitely broken and frustrating, but these workarounds do get results eventually.

honestly the whole system is confusing about this stuff. i marked that i had no limitations and just applied to everything even jobs i probably couldn't do. seemed easier than trying to explain accommodations

From my experience working in HR, the NYS DOL wants to see that you're genuinely available for work that matches your abilities. For diabetes specifically, you should answer "yes" to being able and available for work, but be prepared to explain any reasonable accommodations you might need (like scheduled breaks for blood sugar monitoring). The system is designed to help people with disabilities find suitable employment, not penalize them. Document everything in your job search - apply to positions that can reasonably accommodate your needs, and note any accommodation requests in your log. This shows you're making good faith efforts to find work within your capabilities.