I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been super helpful! I just filed my claim last week after being laid off from my restaurant job. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like I should expect my benefit amount to stay the same for the entire duration of my claim, even if there's an annual increase in October. Is that correct? Also, does anyone know approximately how long it takes to get your first payment after filing? The NYS Department of Labor website mentions processing times but I'm getting conflicting information from different sources.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I was receiving $342/week and kept hoping for an increase when I heard about the annual adjustment. What I learned is that even though NY does increase the maximum benefit amount each October, it doesn't help those of us already on claims. The frustrating part is that by the time you potentially refile (if you exhaust benefits), your new "base period" is still using wage data that's over a year old. I ended up finding work before my benefits ran out, but it really highlighted how the system doesn't account for current economic realities. My advice would be to focus your energy on job searching rather than waiting for benefit increases that won't come during your current claim period.

good for you getting some work! better than sitting around doing nothing while collecting benefits

This is really helpful information! I've been on unemployment for about 6 weeks now and have been hesitant to take on any part-time work because I was worried about losing my benefits entirely. The way everyone explained the partial benefit calculation makes so much sense - I had no idea NYS Department of Labor actually encourages part-time work while job searching. I'm definitely going to start applying for some part-time positions now since I know I can still receive reduced benefits. Thanks for sharing your experiences, especially about the importance of reporting everything honestly!

I'm going through something similar right now with a $1,900 overpayment notice. From what I've learned, you should definitely file both the appeal AND the waiver request - they're separate processes that can run simultaneously. The appeal challenges whether the overpayment is correct, while the waiver asks for forgiveness even if it is correct. Make sure you have copies of all your weekly certifications showing you DID report the work. I found mine in my online account under "Payment History" - it shows exactly what you reported each week. Also document any technical issues you had with the system or confusing instructions. The fact that you reported the work but maybe got the hours wrong is actually a strong point in your favor for a waiver since it shows good faith effort to comply.

Carlos, I went through almost the exact same situation last year - $2,650 overpayment for underreporting part-time hours during a 4-week period. Like you, I had reported the work but miscalculated the hours on a couple weeks. Here's what worked for me: I immediately filed both an appeal AND a waiver request (as Harper mentioned, they're separate processes). For the appeal, I gathered my pay stubs, bank deposits, and screenshots of my weekly certifications showing I DID report income every week. For the waiver, I focused on proving it was an honest mistake - I wrote a detailed letter explaining how I calculated hours (I was mixing up gross vs net hours worked) and provided evidence of my good faith efforts. The key thing that helped was showing a pattern of consistent reporting with just computational errors, not hiding income. It took 3 months, but they reduced it to $650 and let me do a 12-month payment plan at $54/month. Don't panic - the fact that you reported the work puts you in a much better position than people who didn't report at all.

Here's the official guide: When receiving severance, you should still certify weekly but report the severance as income for the week you receive it. After that week, if you receive no other income, continue certifying normally. Remember that severance might affect your initial eligibility period. If you're unsure about anything, best to speak with an agent directly. You can either keep calling the regular number or use claimyr.com to get through faster. Document everything and keep copies of your severance agreement handy.

Just went through this exact situation last week! Yes, you absolutely need to report the severance when you file your weekly claim. Even though the questions don't specifically mention severance, it counts as "earnings" or "income" for that week. When it asks if you worked or earned any money, select yes and enter the severance amount. Your benefits will likely be reduced or stopped for that week depending on the amount, but that's normal and expected. Don't skip filing the claim though - you still need to certify to keep your claim active. Better to report it now than deal with overpayment issues later!

I went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my warehouse job after 6 years. The 26 weeks is definitely correct - that's the standard in NY and there aren't any extensions right now like there were during COVID. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can actually check your remaining benefit balance online through the NYS DOL website, which helped me keep track of how many weeks I had left. Also, with your 8 years of work history and that salary level, you should qualify for a decent weekly benefit amount. Just make sure you're doing those job search activities every week and keeping good records - they can ask for proof at any time. The whole process feels overwhelming at first but you'll get the hang of it. Good luck with your search!

I was in a similar boat when I got laid off from my accounting firm two years ago. The 26 weeks is definitely accurate, and just to add to what others have said - make sure you understand that your benefit year starts from when you first file, not when you get approved. So even though you filed last week, your 52-week benefit year clock started ticking then. During those 52 weeks, you can collect up to 26 weeks of benefits. Also, since you mentioned you're 34 and this is your first time with UI, don't forget that you might be eligible for other programs too like SNAP benefits if your unemployment payments don't cover all your expenses. The manufacturing background should actually help you in your job search - there's decent demand in that sector right now. Keep your head up, the system can be confusing but you'll figure it out!