just remember you have to do the weekly claims every week even if its the same info over and over. miss one week and they make you start all over again its ridiculous

One thing to keep in mind is that your unemployment benefits may be subject to federal taxes, and you can choose to have 10% withheld automatically when you set up your claim. This might be worth doing if you don't want to deal with a big tax bill next year. Also, the $425/week you'd get is decent but definitely budget tight - I'd recommend applying to jobs aggressively since the benefits only last 26 weeks maximum in NY.

The whole base period thing is so confusing!!! I wish they would just look at your last year of work and be done with it. Why does it have to be these weird quarter calculations that nobody understands?

The quarter system can definitely be confusing at first! One thing that helped me understand it better is that they use completed quarters, so if you're filing your claim in the middle of a quarter, that current quarter won't count toward your base period. Also, @Cameron Black, regarding your specific situation - since you worked consistently for 8 months in 2024, you should easily meet both the total earnings requirement ($2,600) and the high quarter requirement ($1,300) that @Ruby Garcia mentioned. The key is having that recent work attachment, which it sounds like you definitely have.

I had the same frustrating experience with the my.ny.gov system showing inconsistent information! What finally worked for me was clearing my browser cache and cookies before logging in, then checking the "Weekly Claim History" section instead of just the main dashboard. That section tends to be more reliable and shows the actual processing dates. Also, if you're still not seeing your payment after resolving the job search verification issue, try logging out completely and back in - sometimes the system doesn't refresh properly when you're continuously logged in. The whole system definitely needs an overhaul, but these workarounds helped me track my payments more accurately.

I've been dealing with similar payment status confusion on my.ny.gov for months now! One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications through the DOL system - you can enable them in your account settings under "Communication Preferences." They'll send you updates when your claim is processed or if there are any issues. It's not perfect but at least you get notified instead of constantly checking the website. Also, I learned that payments typically get released between 2-4 AM on Wednesday mornings, so if you don't see it by Thursday, that's when you know something is definitely wrong and need to call.

I'm 62 and went through this same situation about 6 months ago when I got laid off from my job at a logistics company. Just want to echo what everyone else has said - your social security retirement benefits will NOT reduce your unemployment benefits in New York. The NYS Department of Labor keeps these completely separate. When I filed my weekly claims, I never had to report my social security income at all. The trickiest part was actually proving I was still actively job searching since some people assume that if you're collecting social security, you must be "retired" and not really looking for work. But that's not the case at all! I kept detailed records of every application I submitted and made sure to apply to at least 3-4 positions each week. After about 4 months, I actually found a great part-time position that lets me work around my social security schedule. The combination of partial unemployment benefits, part-time wages, and social security has worked out really well for me. Don't stress about the social security issue - focus on getting your claim filed and start your job search documentation right away!

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.

The NYS Department of Labor overpayment system is SO frustrating! They make it seem like you're automatically guilty and have to prove your innocence. I fought mine for months and they STILL took money out of my tax refund even though I thought I was following their appeal process correctly. Make sure you file that appeal paperwork exactly right!

I went through something similar last year. The key is to act fast on that appeal deadline - don't wait! When I got my overpayment notice, I immediately requested all my records from NYS DOL through their online portal. You can log into your NY.gov account and access your claim history, which will show exactly what you reported each week. Compare that against your actual work records to see where the discrepancy might be. Also, if you can't afford to pay the full amount even if you lose the appeal, they do offer payment plans. Don't panic - you have options!