Same thing happened to my brother last year except his was only like $800. He just paid it right away to avoid the hassle but now I'm wondering if he should have appealed it first. These overpayment letters seem pretty common unfortunately.

I had a similar overpayment issue with NYS Department of Labor about 18 months ago. My advice: don't panic, but do act quickly within that 30-day window. First, gather ALL your documentation - weekly claim forms, correspondence, pay stubs, anything that shows you reported correctly. Second, call the overpayment unit directly (different from regular unemployment line) - the number should be on your notice. Third, if you truly believe you reported everything correctly, absolutely file an appeal AND request a waiver simultaneously. You can do both. The waiver process looks at whether the overpayment was due to agency error or circumstances beyond your control. Even if the waiver is denied, having documentation ready helps with setting up a reasonable payment plan. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights in this process.

Yuki, your situation sounds very similar to what I went through last year! I had my appeal hearing in March after being wrongfully denied for "voluntary quit" when I was actually terminated without cause. The judge ruled in my favor and I received my back pay exactly 19 days after the hearing. NYS Department of Labor processed everything automatically once they received the judge's written decision. One thing that really helped was setting up direct deposit beforehand - the paper checks can take an extra week or two to arrive by mail. Also, even though you didn't file weekly claims during the appeal (which is totally understandable since the whole process is confusing), you should still get your full back pay calculated from your original claim date. The system will backfill those weeks once your claim is approved. Hang in there - it sounds like your hearing went really well and you should see that money soon!

I went through a very similar appeal process with NYS Department of Labor earlier this year after being wrongfully denied for "job abandonment" when I was actually laid off. My hearing was in July and the judge ruled in my favor. The whole process from hearing to receiving back pay took about 22 days, which included getting the written decision and then NYS DOL processing everything. One tip that really helped me was calling their customer service line about a week after receiving the favorable decision letter just to confirm they had received it and my claim was being updated in their system. Sometimes there can be small administrative delays between the judge issuing the decision and the benefits department actually processing it. Also make sure to keep checking your online account at my.ny.gov - that's where you'll see your claim status change from "denied" to "approved" before the money actually hits your account. The waiting is definitely stressful especially when you're behind on bills, but it sounds like your hearing went really well so you should be getting good news soon!

Just want to add - make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being reviewed! A lot of people don't realize you have to keep certifying every week or you'll lose benefits for those weeks.

I went through something similar when I got fired for supposedly having a "bad attitude" but really it was because I questioned unsafe working conditions. The key thing is to file your claim immediately - don't wait! When you file online, be honest about being terminated but explain your side in the comments section. NYS Department of Labor will contact both you and your employer to get the full story. Keep all your documentation (doctor notes, texts about car trouble, etc.) handy because they might ask for it during the investigation. Even if you get initially denied, you can always appeal. The worst thing that can happen is they say no, but you won't know unless you try!

Being fired for attendance doesn't automatically disqualify you but it does make things more complicated. During the adjudication process, NYS Department of Labor will contact both you and your employer to get the full story. Your former employer will probably argue it was misconduct, so you need to be prepared to explain your side clearly. Document everything and be ready to provide medical records if health was a factor.

I'm new to this whole unemployment process but wanted to share what I learned from a friend who works in HR. She told me that NYS Department of Labor looks at whether your attendance issues were "willful" or due to circumstances beyond your control. If you have medical documentation showing you were genuinely ill, that's definitely not willful misconduct. Also, make sure to file your claim as soon as possible - there are time limits and you don't want to miss out on benefits you might be entitled to. The adjudication process can take a few weeks, but it's worth going through if you have legitimate reasons for your absences.

I'm a nursing student who went through a very similar situation last year! While the unemployment benefits are unlikely to work out (as others have explained well), I wanted to share some immediate action steps that really helped me: **This week:** - Contact your nursing program's financial aid office about emergency grants (most have them but don't advertise) - Check if your program qualifies for NY's Section 599 training benefits - call NYSDOL specifically about this, not regular unemployment - Apply for your CNA certification if you don't have it - many hospitals will fast-track nursing students **Longer term:** - Look into hospital "nurse scholar" or tuition assistance programs - they'll pay for school in exchange for a work commitment after graduation - Check HRSA scholarships and your state nursing association for emergency funding - Consider patient care tech or unit clerk positions at hospitals - they usually have flexible scheduling for students The financial stress is real, but nursing has incredible job security and salary growth right now. I actually ended up making more as a student employee at a hospital than at my previous job, plus got valuable experience for my studies. You made a smart long-term decision even though it's tough right now. Feel free to reach out if you want more specific info about any of these options!

I'm a nursing student in my final semester and wanted to share some additional financial resources that haven't been mentioned yet! First, check if your nursing program participates in the **Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program** through your state - New York has several options that can forgive substantial portions of your student loans if you work in certain facilities after graduation. Also, look into **hospital extern programs** - these are different from regular student positions and are specifically designed for nursing students in their later clinical rotations. The pay is usually excellent ($18-25/hour) and the scheduling is built around your school commitments. Most major hospital systems in NY offer these programs. One thing that really helped me was joining nursing student Facebook groups and online communities specific to New York - students constantly share information about job opportunities, emergency scholarships, and grant deadlines that you won't find through official channels. The networking alone has been invaluable. Finally, if you haven't already, apply for **FAFSA emergency aid** through your school's financial aid office. With the current economic climate, there's been a lot more emergency funding made available for students who had to leave jobs for education. Some schools can process emergency aid requests within 48-72 hours. The nursing shortage is real and hospitals are investing heavily in students right now. You're going to have incredible job prospects when you graduate! This temporary financial stress will definitely pay off.