this whole system is so confusing why cant they just make it simple

The key thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are treated just like any other income for tax purposes. You'll report the amount from your 1099-G on both your federal return (Form 1040) and your New York state return (IT-201). If you didn't have taxes withheld from your weekly benefits, you might owe money when you file. You can actually request to have taxes withheld from future unemployment payments if you're still receiving them - just log into your NYS Department of Labor account and update your withholding preferences.

Make sure your employer files the correct paperwork with NYS Department of Labor indicating it's a seasonal layoff - this can really speed up the process. When I worked for a tree service company, my boss would file what they called a "mass layoff notice" every fall for all the seasonal workers. It helped our claims get processed much faster than individual layoffs. You might want to ask your landscaping company if they do bulk seasonal filings. Also keep all your pay stubs from this season as proof of your work history, just in case they ask for documentation later.

Your coworker is definitely wrong about seasonal workers not being able to collect unemployment! I've been working seasonal jobs in NY for years and always get benefits during my off periods. The key things to remember: file your claim immediately when you're laid off (don't wait), keep detailed records of your earnings and work dates from this season, and be honest about your seasonal status when filling out the application. NYS DOL actually has a pretty good system for handling seasonal claims once you understand how it works. One tip - if you know approximately when you'll be called back to work in spring, mention that in your claim but still follow all the job search requirements until you actually return to work.

Just wanted to add that while they don't send regular emails, you might get one if there's an issue with your weekly certification or if your claim gets flagged for review. I got an email once when I missed my weekly filing deadline - it was pretty generic but did direct me to log into my account to resolve the issue. The key thing is definitely checking your online messages frequently since that's where all the real communication happens.

I've been dealing with NYS DOL for a few months now and can confirm what others have said - they rarely send actual emails. Most communication happens through the my.ny.gov messaging system. One thing I learned the hard way is to screenshot important messages in your inbox because sometimes older messages seem to disappear or get buried. Also, if you're waiting on adjudication like I was, don't panic if you don't hear anything for weeks - that seems to be normal unfortunately. The text notification feature that Connor mentioned is definitely worth setting up though!

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple for people who are already going through hard times

@Dylan Evans, I went through something similar when I moved from NY to Florida to help with my elderly father. A few key things that helped me: 1) Get a letter from your mom's doctor detailing her condition and need for care - this was crucial for proving "good cause" 2) Keep records of any communication with your employer about remote work options (emails, etc.) to show you tried to keep the job 3) File your claim ASAP even while gathering documents - you can submit additional proof during adjudication. The process was stressful but NYS Department of Labor did approve my case once I provided the medical documentation. Hang in there!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! You definitely qualify for a new claim since you worked from April-October 2023. That's well within the 18-month lookback period and gives you solid work history. Here's what I learned the hard way: - File a completely NEW claim, not a reopened one (your 2022 benefit year is over) - Have your warehouse job details ready: exact start/end dates, employer info, total wages earned - When they ask about job separation, say "lack of work" or "hours reduced to zero" - avoid saying "fired" - Your benefit amount will be based on your warehouse wages, so it might be different than your 2022 claim The online system is absolutely terrible. I got stuck in those same loops you mentioned. What finally worked was clearing my browser cache completely and trying in an incognito window. If that doesn't work, calling early morning (like 8am sharp) gives you the best chance of getting through. Don't let the system discourage you - you worked and paid into unemployment insurance, so you've earned these benefits. The process is frustrating but you should definitely qualify based on your work history. Good luck!

Hey! I just went through this exact same thing a couple months ago - retail job ended in 2022, then had a warehouse gig that got cut due to "seasonal adjustments" (aka corporate speak for layoffs). You're absolutely right that you can file a new claim with work in the last 18 months. Since you worked April-October 2023, you definitely have enough recent work history to qualify. The key things that helped me: 1. File as a completely NEW claim, don't try to reopen your old 2022 one 2. Have your warehouse employment dates and total earnings ready 3. When they ask why you're no longer working, say "lack of work" or "hours reduced to zero" - don't use the word "fired" 4. Your benefit amount will be based on your warehouse wages, so it'll probably be different than your 2022 claim The online system is absolutely brutal. I kept getting stuck in those same loops until I tried using a completely different browser in incognito mode. Sometimes clearing your cache helps too. If all else fails, calling right at 8am when they open gives you the best shot at getting through. Don't let their terrible system discourage you - you worked and paid into the system, so you've earned these benefits. It's frustrating but you should definitely qualify based on your work history. The warehouse job being "seasonal" actually works in your favor for unemployment eligibility.