Just want to add - make sure the contract work doesn't interfere with your job search requirements. You still need to be doing your required work searches even while working the contract, unless NYS Department of Labor specifically waives that requirement for your situation.

Another important consideration - since this is web development contract work, make sure you understand how NYS Department of Labor handles self-employment income. As a 1099 contractor, you're technically self-employed for those weeks you're working. If you're working full-time hours on the contract (even if it's temporary), you might not be eligible for benefits during those weeks regardless of the income amount. The key is whether you're "totally unemployed" vs "partially unemployed" during each claim week. I'd recommend calling to clarify your specific situation before starting the contract.

I've been through this exact situation and totally understand the confusion! Here's my take after dealing with unemployment taxes: definitely choose the withholding option. I made the mistake of not withholding during my first few weeks because I thought I could handle it myself, but quickly realized that was a bad idea. Unemployment benefits are taxed as ordinary income, so if you receive $20,000 in benefits over the year, you'll owe taxes on the full amount. The 10% federal withholding helps significantly, though you'll likely still owe some NY state taxes (around 4-6% depending on your bracket). What really helped me was thinking of it this way: it's essentially an automatic savings plan for your tax obligation. Yes, your weekly payment is smaller, but you're avoiding the stress and financial strain of a large lump sum tax bill. Plus, if they withhold too much, you'll get a refund - much better than owing money you don't have! Also, make sure to keep detailed records of everything for tax filing. Good luck with your application!

I went through this same decision just a few months ago and was equally confused! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm so glad I chose the withholding option. What really helped me decide was calculating the math: if you're getting $400/week for 26 weeks (about 6 months), that's $10,400 total. Without withholding, you could easily owe $1,500-2,000 in combined federal and state taxes. With the 10% federal withholding, you'd have $1,040 already paid toward that tax bill, making your final obligation much more manageable. The other thing that convinced me was realizing that even if you find a job quickly, you still owe taxes on ALL the unemployment you received during the year. So even if you're only on benefits for 2-3 months, those benefits will still be counted as income when you file. The withholding gives you that automatic buffer. One tip: when you do find work again, consider adjusting your W-4 withholding at your new job slightly to account for the unemployment income if you want to avoid owing anything at all. But definitely start with the unemployment withholding - it's such a relief not to worry about a huge tax surprise!

I'm at week 4 of my appeal after being denied for "failure to accept suitable work" when the job they offered was completely outside my field and paid 40% less than my previous position. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring to know I'm not alone, but terrifying to see how long some of you have been waiting. I've been following the advice in this thread and called the appeal line (518-402-0205) yesterday morning at 8 AM. Got through after about 20 minutes on hold and they confirmed my appeal is "under review" but couldn't give me a timeline. I've also started documenting everything in a folder like others suggested - screenshots of my original application, the denial letter, my appeal submission, and records of every phone call. For anyone else struggling financially while waiting, I found that my local Catholic Charities has an emergency assistance program that doesn't require you to be Catholic - they helped with a grocery gift card and information about utility assistance programs. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part, but this community has given me hope that there's light at the end of this bureaucratic tunnel. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and resources!

I'm currently at week 5 of waiting for my appeal hearing after being denied for "misconduct" when I was actually terminated for refusing to work in unsafe conditions during a COVID outbreak at my workplace. The stress is overwhelming - I've been surviving on savings that are almost depleted and borrowing money from family. Thank you all for sharing the appeal line number (518-402-0205) - I called this morning at 8 AM and actually got through after 30 minutes on hold! They told me my case is "pending scheduling" and that they're currently booking hearings for appeals filed 8-10 weeks ago, so I'm looking at least another 3-5 weeks. I've been keeping detailed records like others suggested, including photos of the unsafe working conditions and text messages from my supervisor. For anyone else struggling with basic needs while waiting, I discovered that the Salvation Army has an emergency assistance program that can help with utilities and rent - you just need to bring your appeal documentation. Also wanted to mention that I've been attending a virtual support group through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) because this whole process has really affected my mental health. It's free and they meet twice a week online. This thread has been a lifesaver for practical advice and knowing I'm not going through this nightmare alone. Stay strong everyone!

As someone who just joined this community, I have to say this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Reading through everyone's experiences with NY unemployment filing really highlights how important it is to have knowledgeable people willing to share what they've learned the hard way. The original poster's situation resonates with me because I think many of us would make that same mistake - assuming we'll find work quickly and not wanting to "burden the system" if we don't really need it. But it's clear from everyone's responses that unemployment benefits exist for exactly these situations, and there's no shame in using them when you're eligible. What really stands out to me is how this community provided both practical information (the 4-week backdating rule, good cause requirements, weekly certification reminders) AND emotional support throughout the process. The follow-up showing that 3 out of 6 weeks got approved proves that even when you make mistakes, acting quickly based on good advice can still salvage a difficult situation. For anyone else who might stumble across this thread in the future: don't wait! File immediately, be honest about why you delayed, and make sure to certify every single week going forward. This community has created a really valuable resource here.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to have found this thread! Reading through everyone's experiences with NY unemployment filing has been incredibly educational. The original poster's situation is so relatable - I think many of us would assume we'd find work quickly and hesitate to file for benefits. What amazes me most is how this community provided not just technical guidance about backdating rules and filing procedures, but genuine support throughout the entire process. Seeing the follow-up that 3 out of 6 weeks got approved gives me hope that even when mistakes are made, acting on good advice can still make a meaningful difference. The key takeaways are crystal clear: file immediately when unemployed, understand that NY allows up to 4 weeks of backdating with good cause, keep detailed job search records, and never miss weekly certifications. This thread should be required reading for anyone navigating NY's unemployment system! Thanks to everyone who shared their hard-earned wisdom here - communities like this make such a difference during challenging times.

One thing to add - make sure you understand the difference between "accepting" a job offer and actually starting work. I learned the hard way that you can accept an offer on Monday but if you don't start until the following week, you're still unemployed for that entire week and should file your claim. The key date is when you actually begin working and earning wages, not when you shake hands on the deal. Also, keep all your paperwork (offer letter, start date confirmation, etc.) in case NYS Department of Labor ever needs to verify your timeline.

Just to add another perspective - I went through this transition last year and one thing that really helped was calling NYS Department of Labor the day before I started my new job to confirm I was handling everything correctly. The agent walked me through exactly how to file my final partial week claim and made sure I understood the reporting requirements. Even though the wait time was long, it gave me peace of mind knowing I was doing everything by the book. Also, keep detailed records of your job search activities and any work you do - NYS Department of Labor can request this information during audits, and having everything documented makes the process much smoother if they ever need to review your case.