UPDATE: I was able to get through to someone at NY unemployment! I used the Claimyr service that someone suggested earlier and got connected to an agent within 25 minutes (which is miraculous compared to my previous attempts). The agent confirmed they can mail my 1099-G to my parents' address in New York. They said it should arrive within 7-10 business days. Just wanted to update in case anyone else has a similar issue. Thanks everyone for your help!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. The geographic IP blocking makes total sense from a security standpoint, but it's definitely frustrating when you're legitimately trying to access your own tax documents. Good to know there are multiple solutions - the official phone line, written requests, and services like Claimyr. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and workarounds!

Just be careful about how you structure your LLC activities while on unemployment. If NYS Department of Labor thinks you're actively seeking work for your business instead of looking for a job, that could create problems. Keep good records of your job search activities and make sure you're meeting the work search requirements.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. Had an LLC for some side graphic design work but was primarily employed full-time. When I got laid off, I was honest about the LLC on my application and had no issues getting approved. The caseworker explained that since my LLC earnings were sporadic and minimal compared to my regular salary, it didn't affect my eligibility. Just make sure you keep detailed records of any LLC income and report it accurately on your weekly certifications. The NYS DOL website actually has a section about business ownership and unemployment that might be helpful to review before you apply.

The NYS Department of Labor website has information about this but it's buried in their FAQ section. The main thing is documenting that you're physically able to perform some type of work, even if it's not your previous job. Keep copies of all your medical reports and job applications to show you're making a good faith effort to find employment within your restrictions.

I went through this exact situation two years ago after a construction accident. The key thing to understand is that workers comp and unemployment serve different purposes - workers comp replaces wages you lost due to your injury, while unemployment helps when you're able to work but can't find suitable employment. You absolutely can collect both simultaneously as long as you're honest about your limitations and actively seeking work you can physically perform. Make sure to get a detailed work capacity evaluation from your doctor that specifies exactly what you can and cannot do. When you file your weekly certifications, be truthful about your restrictions and keep detailed records of every job you apply for. The NYS Department of Labor is actually pretty understanding about these situations once you explain your circumstances properly.

Honestly I'd be HAPPY about this mix-up. You have literal proof that they determined you're eligible! Most people don't get to see what the employer gets.

This is actually a really good position to be in! The fact that your employer received an approval letter is huge - it means the system has already determined you're eligible for benefits due to childcare issues. What likely happened is there was a processing error where your denial letter wasn't updated when a human reviewer overturned the automatic denial. I'd recommend bringing both letters to your hearing - the judge will immediately see the contradiction and it should be a quick resolution in your favor. In the meantime, you might want to try calling right when they open (7:30am) for shorter wait times, or check if your online account shows anything different than "pending." Document everything and keep copies of both letters! This kind of system glitch is frustrating but you're actually in a strong position with that employer approval letter as proof.

The tax thing with unemployment is such a mess. They should make it clearer upfront that this is taxable income. I bet half the people collecting don't realize until it's too late.

I went through this exact same thing last year and it was a wake-up call. The good news is you caught it at 8 weeks - I didn't realize until I had collected for 6 months! Here's what I learned: definitely turn on withholding ASAP like others mentioned, but also consider opening a separate savings account and putting away an extra 15-20% of each payment since the 10% federal withholding won't cover state taxes. I used a simple rule - for every $100 in benefits, I'd save $20 in a "tax fund." It made tax season much less painful. Also, keep all your 1099-G forms organized - you'll need them for filing. Don't panic though, you're addressing it early enough to avoid a major surprise!