I'm in a very similar situation - my benefits ended about 3 weeks ago and I've been trying to navigate this maze ever since. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! I had a couple of questions for those who've successfully filed new claims: First, when you calculated whether you met the wage requirements from work during your benefit year, did you include gross wages or just net pay? I had some freelance work in October and December but want to make sure I'm calculating it correctly. Second, for anyone who used the Claimyr service to get through to NYS DOL - approximately how long did it take to connect with someone, and were they able to give you definitive answers about eligibility on the spot? I've been hesitant to pay for a service but if it actually works it might be worth it. Also wanted to mention that I found the NYS DOL has some informational webinars listed on their website about unemployment benefits - not sure how current they are but might be worth checking out while waiting to speak with someone. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences, it's making this whole process feel less overwhelming!

I'm currently in week 22 of my benefits so this thread is incredibly timely for me! Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences. One thing I'm still confused about - if I do qualify for a new claim based on wages earned during my benefit year, does the new claim start with a fresh 26-week period, or is it somehow reduced based on what I already collected? Also, has anyone dealt with the situation where you're working part-time while collecting benefits and then that part-time job ends right around when your regular benefits run out? I'm wondering if losing that job would affect my ability to file a new claim or if it might actually help by making me fully unemployed again. The timing seems really complicated and I want to make sure I handle this correctly. Really appreciate all the insights shared here - this community has been more helpful than the actual NYS DOL website!

I've been through the NY unemployment system twice (2023 and 2024) and learned the hard way about documentation. Here's my current system that's bulletproof: 1. **Weekly folder structure**: I create a new folder each week labeled "Week of [date]" with subfolders for applications, confirmations, and follow-ups. 2. **Real-time logging**: I fill out the WS5 form AS I apply, not at the end of the week. This prevents forgetting details. 3. **Activity diversification**: Monday = online applications, Wednesday = networking/LinkedIn outreach, Friday = skills development or job fair research. This ensures I hit different activity types. 4. **Screenshot everything**: Application confirmations, job posting pages, email receipts, even LinkedIn connection requests. If there's no confirmation page, I screenshot the "application submitted" message. 5. **Follow-up tracking**: I set calendar reminders to follow up on applications after 1 week, which counts as additional activity. The most important thing I learned: treat this like a part-time job. Spend 2-3 hours each day on legitimate job search activities and document EVERYTHING in real-time. It's way easier than trying to reconstruct weeks of activity later. Also, pro tip: the NY DOL considers informational interviews as networking activities. Reach out to people in your field for 15-minute coffee chats - it's great for job searching AND counts toward your requirements.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just finished setting up my documentation system based on everyone's advice. I'm using the WS5 form as my primary tracker and created a Google Drive folder with weekly subfolders like Seraphina suggested. One thing I learned from calling the DOL (finally got through after 2 hours on hold): they said keeping both digital AND physical copies is ideal in case of technical issues during submission. They also confirmed that volunteer work related to your field can count as a networking activity if you're making professional connections. For anyone still worried about past weeks - the agent told me they understand people don't always know the requirements upfront. They look more favorably on claimants who show they're making genuine efforts to find work, even if early documentation is incomplete. The key is being honest and proactive. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official resources are so hard to navigate!

I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about exactly this kind of situation but can never get through to a human. The automated system just tells me to check the website but I want to talk to someone about my specific case.

One thing to keep in mind is that Uber Eats earnings can be pretty unpredictable - some weeks you might make $300, other weeks maybe $50 depending on demand and how much you work. This makes it tricky to budget around your reduced UI benefits. I'd suggest starting slow with just a few hours on weekends to see how it affects your weekly benefit amount before ramping up. Also, the Uber driver app lets you track your earnings pretty easily which helps with the reporting requirements everyone mentioned.

just file asap dont overthink it. the system is confusing enough without worrying about perfect timing

One thing to add - if your sister is getting any kind of notice period where she's still technically employed but not working (like being told she'll be laid off in 2 weeks), she should wait until her actual last day of employment to file. NYS DOL considers you unemployed starting from when your employment officially ends, not when you receive notice. But if she was already laid off yesterday and her employment ended yesterday, then yes - file today! The online system at ny.gov is definitely the way to go, much better than trying to get through on the phone.

THIS HAPPENED TO ME! I made the mistake of filing for unemployment while still getting workers comp and now I owe NYS Department of Labor over $2800 in overpayments. Don't do it! Wait until your workers comp case is completely closed.

I went through something similar a few years ago. The NYS Department of Labor is really strict about this - they consider workers comp and unemployment as two different types of income replacement that can't overlap. Even though it seems unfair when you're struggling financially, trying to collect both can create serious legal issues. One thing that helped me was speaking with a workers comp attorney about potentially negotiating a settlement to close out my case faster, which then allowed me to pursue unemployment benefits. Also, make sure to document everything your employer tells you about light duty positions not being available - you'll need that evidence when you do apply for UI benefits later.