I'm also dealing with this same confusion! Started filing in February and nobody told me about any of these changes. I worked 9 hours last week and was stressed about whether to report 0 or 1 day. Reading through all these comments is such a relief - sounds like 9 hours = 0 days under the new system. It's crazy how they just change things without proper notification. I've been keeping detailed records of my hours just in case, which seems like a good idea based on what people are saying here. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

This is such an important thread! I've been filing unemployment since late 2024 and honestly had no idea about this hours reporting change until I read through all these comments. I worked 6 hours last week and reported 1 day based on what I thought was the old system, but now I'm wondering if I should have reported 0 days instead. Should I be concerned about this discrepancy? I don't want to accidentally trigger a fraud investigation over an honest mistake. It's really frustrating that NYSDOL doesn't send clear notifications about these policy changes - seems like we're all just figuring it out through trial and error or community forums like this one.

One thing to keep in mind is that some states have reciprocal agreements that make the transition smoother. When you get to your new state, you might want to register with their workforce development office too - not to file a new claim, but to access local job search resources and networking events. This can help you stay competitive in the job market while you're collecting from NYS. Also, make sure you understand the tax implications since you'll be living in a different state than where your benefits are coming from.

I've been through a similar situation and want to add that you should also check if your new state has any waiting periods or requirements for establishing residency that might affect your job search. Some states require you to be a resident for a certain period before you can access certain employment services. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of all your job search activities in the new state - dates, company names, positions applied for, etc. NYS Department of Labor may ask for this documentation during audits, and having everything organized will save you headaches later. The $420 weekly benefit is definitely worth protecting during your transition!

Just stopped mine last month when I started a new job. Everything worked out fine when I reactivated it 4 weeks later after the job ended. Just make sure you keep track of any work you do during the gap because they will ask about it.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago. You can definitely stop certifying and restart later - your claim won't disappear immediately. But here's what I learned the hard way: if you do get that part-time job, you're better off continuing to certify and reporting the hours/earnings rather than stopping completely. NYS allows you to work part-time and still collect partial benefits, and it keeps your claim active. When I stopped for 5 weeks and then restarted, they asked a lot of questions about what I was doing during the gap, and the whole reactivation process was more of a hassle than just staying active would have been. Plus you maintain your job search contacts requirement even when not certifying.

I'm 63 and actually just went through this process successfully about 3 months ago when my company downsized. Can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - social security retirement benefits absolutely do NOT affect your unemployment benefits in New York! The NYS Department of Labor treats them as completely separate income sources. When I filed my initial claim, there wasn't even a question about social security income on the application. The weekly certifications never ask about it either because it's not considered "wages" that would reduce your benefits. The hardest part for me was actually getting through to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor to confirm this initially - their phone lines are constantly busy. But once I did connect with a representative, they were very clear that social security retirement is totally separate from unemployment insurance. Just make sure you're prepared to document your job search activities thoroughly and stay committed to finding new employment. At our age, we bring valuable experience to the table, so don't get discouraged! File that claim with confidence - you're entitled to both benefits simultaneously.

I'm 65 and just went through this exact situation 4 months ago when my construction company laid off several senior workers. Everyone here is absolutely correct - your social security retirement benefits will NOT affect your unemployment benefits in New York. The NYS Department of Labor confirmed this to me directly when I had questions about my claim. They're treated as completely separate programs. However, I want to emphasize something that helped me tremendously: when you file your weekly certifications, be very thorough in documenting your work search activities. I kept a detailed spreadsheet with every job I applied to, including the date, company name, position, and method of application. I also included networking activities like reaching out to former colleagues and attending virtual job fairs. The NYS Department of Labor never actually asked to see my documentation, but having it organized gave me confidence during the certification process. One practical tip - I found that many employers actually value the reliability and experience that comes with workers our age, especially in industries facing labor shortages. Don't let age discourage you from applying broadly. You've got 15 years of warehouse experience which is incredibly valuable right now. File that claim with confidence!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and can definitely confirm that unemployment benefits count as income for the marketplace. What I found most helpful was creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything - my weekly UI amount from NYS Department of Labor ($340/week in my case), how many weeks I'd already collected, and a realistic estimate of how many more weeks I might need benefits. I also included a column for any odd jobs or freelance work I picked up while unemployed. The NY State of Health application process was actually pretty user-friendly once I had all my numbers organized. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to save screenshots of your benefit payment history from your NYS DOL online account - it came in handy when I needed to verify my income information later in the process. Also, don't forget that you can always call the marketplace customer service if you get stuck on any part of the application. They were really helpful when I had questions about how to report income that might change mid-year.

I'm in the exact same situation right now - just started collecting unemployment from NYS Department of Labor about 3 weeks ago and need to get health insurance coverage. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea unemployment counted as income for marketplace purposes, so I'm really glad I found this thread before submitting my application. One question I have is about timing - since I just started collecting benefits, should I estimate based on the full year or just from when my benefits started? I was working the first 9 months of the year at my previous job, so I'm not sure how to handle that mixed income situation when filling out the NY State of Health application.