UPDATE: I went to the career center this morning and got exactly what I needed! They printed a UI Monetary Benefit Determination letter showing my claim details including the end date of September 6th. Took about 45 minutes total with the wait. The staff was really helpful. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

For anyone else dealing with this, I just want to add that if you're in a time crunch like I was last month, you can also try contacting your local assemblyperson's office. They often have direct lines to state agencies and can help expedite document requests. I got my unemployment end date letter within 2 business days after their office made a call on my behalf. Worth trying if the career center is too far or if you're hitting roadblocks with the other methods!

I've been dealing with the same confusion with my small pottery business! After reading through all these responses and doing my own research, it's definitely NET income you should report. I made the mistake of reporting gross for my first few certifications and was basically cheating myself out of benefits I was entitled to. The way I think about it now - if I sell $500 worth of pottery but spent $300 on clay, glazes, kiln firing, and shipping, I only actually "earned" $200 that week. That's what unemployment cares about - your actual profit, not your total sales. I finally got through to an agent last week (took forever calling directly) and she confirmed this is correct. She also mentioned that if you've been reporting wrong, you can usually get it corrected by explaining the confusion. The system really should make this clearer though - so many people are struggling with the same question! Keep detailed records of everything - receipts, materials costs, platform fees, shipping. If they ever audit you, you'll need to prove your expenses were legitimate business costs. Good luck with your Etsy shop!

I'm in a similar situation with my freelance graphic design work while on unemployment! After reading all these responses, I'm convinced it's NET income we should report. The confusion is real though - I called NY unemployment 4 times and got 3 different answers from different agents. What finally made it click for me was thinking about it like taxes. When you file as self-employed, you report your profit after business expenses on Schedule C, not your gross receipts. Unemployment should work the same way since they're both government programs looking at your actual earnings. I've been keeping a weekly spreadsheet tracking my income and expenses - client payments minus software subscriptions, equipment costs, home office expenses, etc. It's tedious but worth it for peace of mind. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you're reporting income in the week you actually DO the work, not when you get paid for it. I had a client pay me $800 for a project I completed 3 weeks earlier, and I almost reported it in the wrong week. The whole system is unnecessarily confusing but at least we're all figuring it out together! Good luck with your jewelry business - handmade Etsy shops are so much work but really rewarding.

I wanted to share some practical tips that helped me when I applied as an independent contractor last year. Beyond all the great documentation advice already shared, here are a few things that made my process smoother: 1. Create a simple cover letter explaining your situation in plain English - attach it with your documents. I wrote a one-page summary explaining that my client reduced my hours involuntarily due to budget cuts, included before/after income figures, and emphasized my availability for full-time work. 2. Number and label all your supporting documents clearly (Contract-1, BankStatement-Jan2024, etc.). This makes it easier for reviewers to cross-reference everything. 3. If you have any text messages or informal communications about the hour reduction, screenshot those too. I had WhatsApp messages from my client explaining the situation that really helped my case. 4. Consider getting a letter from your client confirming the hour reduction was due to their business needs, not your performance or availability. Mine was willing to provide this and I think it strengthened my application. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me, but having everything organized upfront definitely helped avoid delays. Don't get discouraged by the extra hoops - it's worth it if you qualify! Good luck to everyone applying.

I've been following this thread as someone who recently went through the NY unemployment process as an independent contractor, and I wanted to add a few thoughts that might help others in similar situations. One thing I noticed from reading everyone's experiences is how important timing can be. If you're considering applying, don't wait too long - there are specific timeframes for when you can file, and delays can sometimes complicate your case. Also, while everyone's focusing on the documentation (which is absolutely crucial), don't overlook the importance of how you present your case in the initial application. When describing your work situation, be very clear about the involuntary nature of the hour reduction. Use specific language like "client-initiated reduction due to budget constraints" rather than vague terms. The reviewers see a lot of applications, so making your case crystal clear from the start can help avoid unnecessary back-and-forth. One more thing - if you do get approved, keep detailed records of every weekly certification. I've seen people run into issues months later because they couldn't back up their reported earnings. Create a simple spreadsheet tracking your weekly hours, earnings, and work search activities from day one. The process definitely has its challenges, but seeing all these success stories should give hope to anyone in this situation. Good luck to everyone navigating this!

I went through this exact same confusion when I filed my claim earlier this year! The NY DOL really needs to update their website language because "identification number" is so vague. It's definitely your Social Security Number - just the 9 digits without any dashes or spaces. I remember stressing about this too, but once you enter your SSN correctly, the rest of the application flows much smoother. One tip: have your most recent W-2 or pay stub ready because you'll need employment information in the next steps. Don't worry, you're almost through the hardest part of getting your claim started!

I just filed my unemployment claim with NY DOL last week and ran into this exact same issue! The "identification number" field is definitely referring to your Social Security Number. I spent way too much time overthinking it and looking through old employee handbooks for some mysterious ID number that doesn't exist. Just enter your 9-digit SSN without any dashes, spaces, or formatting. The system accepted it immediately and I was able to move on to the next section. It's frustrating that the NY DOL website uses such confusing language, but don't let it stress you out - you're on the right track!

quick question - did you find the rover gig on your own or did unemployment send you there? trying to find some side work myself

Just wanted to add - make sure you're keeping detailed records of your actual work activities for each day! I learned the hard way that unemployment can ask for documentation if they audit your claim. I use a simple note-taking app to track feeding times, walks, any cleaning, etc. Takes like 2 minutes but covers you if they ever question your reported hours. Better safe than sorry!