I've been through this process recently and can add some perspective. Yes, it's completely legal for employers to ask about unemployment benefits, and I've found that being honest actually helps build trust from the start. What I learned is that the question isn't really about judging you - it's about logistics and timing. Employers want to know if you can start right away, if you're genuinely motivated to work (since you could theoretically stay on benefits longer), and sometimes they need to understand your current financial pressures for salary negotiations. I actually had one employer tell me they appreciated my honesty because it showed integrity. The key is to pair your honest answer with enthusiasm about the specific role. Instead of just saying "yes, I'm on unemployment," try something like "I'm currently receiving benefits while actively searching for the right opportunity, and I'm really excited about this position because..." That way you're being truthful while also showing you're selective and serious about finding meaningful work, not just any job.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now and it's been causing me so much anxiety! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially hearing from the HR and recruiting perspectives. I had no idea that employers ask this for practical reasons rather than to discriminate. I've been overthinking it so much that I was actually avoiding applying to certain jobs because I was scared of that question. Now I realize I should just be honest and focus on showing my genuine interest in each specific role. Does anyone have tips for how to handle it if they ask about it during a phone screen or interview, not just on the written application?

I went through this same confusion when I first started collecting benefits! The documentation requirements can be really overwhelming at first. One tip I learned the hard way - make sure you're keeping track of the specific METHOD you used for each job search activity (like "applied through company website" vs "submitted resume via Indeed" vs "attended job fair"). If you do get audited, they want those details. Also, networking events and job fairs definitely count as qualifying activities, so don't overlook those opportunities. I keep a simple notebook where I jot down everything right after I do it - that way I don't forget the details later.

I completely understand the confusion - I went through the exact same thing when I first started my claim! The good news is that everyone here is giving you accurate information. You absolutely do NOT need to submit your work search log unless NYS DOL specifically asks for it during an audit or review. I've been collecting benefits for about 4 months now and have never been asked to submit anything. Just keep doing what you're doing - maintain detailed records of your 3+ weekly job search activities with dates, company names, positions, and how you applied. I use a simple Excel spreadsheet and update it right after each activity so I don't forget details. The key is being able to prove you're genuinely looking for work if they ever ask. Don't stress about finding a submission portal because there isn't one for regular weekly reporting!

ugh the whole system is so confusing for small businesses. why can't they just make it simple instead of all these different thresholds and quarterly deadlines

One thing to keep in mind is that the 4.1% rate Arnav mentioned applies to the unemployment insurance tax, but there's also a separate reemployment services fund tax that's usually around 0.075%. Small additional cost but worth budgeting for. Also, if you have any employees who work part-time or seasonal, make sure you understand how their hours count toward the 20-week threshold - it can be tricky to calculate correctly.

I had a similar issue where my NYS Department of Labor benefits suddenly dropped by about $70. It turned out they had automatically enrolled me in federal tax withholding even though I had originally opted out. Check your payment details on my.ny.gov - look for a line item showing "Federal Tax" or "State Tax" being deducted. If that's what happened, you can change your tax withholding preferences by logging into your account and updating your payment options. The $74 difference between your old and new payment amount is roughly what you'd expect from 20% tax withholding. Also check your inbox on the unemployment portal for any notices about tax election changes - sometimes they send notifications there instead of mailing them.

I work for an unemployment advocacy group and see this issue frequently with NYS Department of Labor claims. The sudden $74 reduction strongly suggests automatic tax withholding enrollment. New York has been automatically enrolling claimants in federal tax withholding (usually 10-20%) if they detect certain triggers in your claim or if there are federal tax compliance requirements. Log into my.ny.gov and look under "Payment Method" or "Tax Information" - you should see if federal taxes are now being withheld. You can usually change this back if you prefer to handle taxes yourself at year-end. If it's not tax withholding, the other common cause is a wage recalculation where they discovered additional or corrected wage information that changed your weekly benefit rate calculation.

just wanted to say thanks for asking this question, I was wondering the same thing but felt dumb for not knowing where to look!

I actually found a workaround for this! If you go to the "Payment History" section on my.ny.gov, it shows all your weekly payments. You can add those up and subtract from your total benefit amount in the monetary determination letter. I made a simple spreadsheet to track it since the state system doesn't do it for you. Also, your benefit year is usually 52 weeks from when you filed, and the maximum is typically 26 weeks of benefits (though this can vary). Hope this helps!