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!

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just send the money when they approve you like every other normal system. i've been waiting 5 days and still nothing

I had the exact same confusion when I first got approved! The approval just means you're eligible - you still have to do the weekly certification every Sunday through Wednesday to actually get paid. I'd log into my.ny.gov right now and check if there's a pending weekly claim waiting for you. Once you certify for your first week, the direct deposit should hit within 2-3 business days. The system is definitely not intuitive but once you get into the rhythm it becomes routine.

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.

just keep in mind your weekly benefit amount is based on your previous earnings, and there's usually a one week waiting period before your first payment. so don't panic if you don't see money immediately after filing your first claim.

One thing to add - make sure you understand the difference between your "weekly benefit rate" and your total benefit amount. Your weekly rate is what you get each week (usually around 50% of your average weekly wage), but you have a maximum total amount you can receive over the entire benefit year. In NY it's typically 26 times your weekly rate. Also, if you do any part-time work while collecting, you need to report those earnings when you file your weekly claim - they might reduce your benefit for that week but you won't lose eligibility completely. The system is pretty good at catching unreported work so always be honest about any income.

For job search requirements, you need to apply for suitable work which generally means jobs that match your skills, experience, and pay rate (though the acceptable pay rate decreases over time). You don't have to stay in retail forever, but early on you should focus on similar positions.

Just to add to what everyone's said - don't stress too much about the application process! I was super nervous when I applied for the first time after getting laid off from my warehouse job. The online system walks you through everything step by step. One tip: apply as soon as possible after your last day of work because there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you want to get that clock ticking. Also, if you're unsure about any of the questions during the application, it's better to answer honestly and let them determine your eligibility rather than guess. Good luck!