Derek, I went through something very similar about 18 months ago. I was collecting unemployment and picked up some gig work that I didn't report for about 6 weeks (around $200/week). The guilt and anxiety was eating me alive just like what you're describing. I finally called NYS DOL and explained the situation honestly. The representative was surprisingly professional about it - they didn't make me feel like a criminal or anything. I had to calculate all the unreported income, and they determined I received about $1,200 in benefits I wasn't entitled to. I paid back the $1,200 plus a 15% penalty ($180), so $1,380 total. They also disqualified me from benefits for 7 weeks, but no criminal charges were filed. The whole process took about 5 weeks to resolve once I reported it. The relief I felt after coming clean was incredible - I could finally sleep at night again. Trust me, the longer you wait, the worse the anxiety gets. Just bite the bullet and call them tomorrow. You're not going to jail over $1,440 in overpayments, especially if you self-report.

Derek, I completely understand the panic you're feeling right now - I've been there myself. A few years ago, I was in almost the exact same situation with unreported part-time work while collecting benefits. The fear of potential jail time was consuming me, but I want to reassure you that for the amounts you're describing, criminal prosecution is extremely rare. New York typically reserves criminal charges for cases involving intentional fraud of much larger amounts (think tens of thousands) or identity theft schemes. Your situation sounds like you made a mistake under financial pressure, not a deliberate scheme to defraud the state. Here's what I learned from my experience: call NYS DOL as soon as possible and be completely transparent. Yes, you'll face penalties and have to repay the overpayment, but voluntary disclosure almost always results in more lenient treatment than being caught during an audit. The representatives I dealt with were actually pretty understanding when I explained my circumstances honestly. Document everything - your work dates, hours, and wages - before you call. And please, stop losing sleep over this. Take action tomorrow, get it resolved, and you'll be amazed how much better you'll feel once it's behind you.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar situation right now! I just started a part-time training program (22 hours/week) and was really stressed about how to report it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the 25% threshold and the dollar-for-dollar reduction formula. I had no idea you could still get partial benefits during training. I was almost tempted to not report it because I was scared of losing all my benefits, but now I understand that would be fraud and could lead to much bigger problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here!

I went through this exact scenario about 6 months ago when I started a part-time training program for a medical assistant role. I was working about 28 hours per week during training and was terrified I'd lose all my benefits. What I learned is that NY unemployment actually has pretty clear guidelines once you dig into them - you MUST report any work, but the partial benefit system is actually designed to help people transition back to full employment. One tip that really helped me: I created a simple spreadsheet to track my daily hours and earnings. Every day I'd write down start time, end time, break time, and gross pay. When it came time to certify each week, I had everything organized and accurate. This saved me so much stress and made sure I never had discrepancies if they ever audited my records. The transition period can feel overwhelming but you're doing the right thing by asking questions and being thorough. The training will lead to full-time work and then you won't need benefits anymore - just think of this as a bridge to get there safely and legally!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to add my experience to this thread since I see so many people going through similar situations. I was laid off after working only 6 months at my job in Rochester, and I was absolutely terrified that I wouldn't qualify for unemployment. But after reading through all these responses and doing some research, I decided to apply anyway. Turns out I qualified because I had worked at a retail job for about 4 months earlier in the year, and those wages combined with my recent job put me over the minimum earnings threshold for my base period. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. The online application really does guide you through everything, and they calculated my base period automatically. I got my first payment about 3 weeks after applying. My advice to Kevin and anyone else in this situation - don't overthink it, just apply! The NYS Department of Labor will figure out all the complicated calculations for you, and you might be surprised to find out you actually do qualify even with less than a year at your current job.

I just wanted to jump in here because I went through this exact same anxiety last year! Got laid off after only 9 months at my job and spent weeks worrying about whether I'd qualify for unemployment benefits. Like everyone else has said, you absolutely don't need a full year of work - that's a common misconception. The NYS Department of Labor looks at your earnings during specific quarters, not continuous employment at one job. I actually qualified because I had worked a summer job earlier that year plus my main job, even though neither one was a full year. The thing that helped me the most was realizing that stressing about the requirements beforehand was pointless - the online system at my.ny.gov does all the calculations automatically once you enter your work history. Kevin, I totally get the panic about rent and finances, but the best thing you can do right now is just apply immediately. Even if there's any doubt about eligibility, applying right away means you won't lose any potential benefit weeks while you're figuring it out. The application process itself gave me peace of mind because I could see exactly what they were looking at. Don't let fear keep you from potentially getting the help you need during this tough time!

Just wanted to chime in as someone currently on week 14 of unemployment - this thread has been a goldmine of information! I'm also in marketing (digital marketing focus) and have been struggling with the same concerns about what happens after 26 weeks. A few things I've discovered that might help others: 1. The NY Department of Labor website has a "benefit year ending" calculator that shows your exact end date - it's buried in the dashboard but super helpful for planning. 2. I've been using the time to get Google Analytics and Google Ads certifications (they're free!) which has actually helped me land a few freelance gigs to supplement benefits. 3. For those asking about extensions - I called the DOL office using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and confirmed there are absolutely no extensions available right now unless you qualify for very specific programs like TAA. The anxiety about week 26 is real, but reading everyone's experiences and advice here has given me a much better action plan. Starting to apply for other assistance programs now rather than waiting is definitely the move. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps to know we're not going through this alone!

As someone who just went through the NY unemployment process (finished my 26 weeks last month), I wanted to share a few practical tips that really helped me: **Timeline Management**: Around week 20, I created a spreadsheet tracking not just my remaining weeks, but also application deadlines for assistance programs. SNAP took about 3 weeks to process, so starting early was crucial. **Hidden Resources**: Check if your local library offers free LinkedIn Learning or other professional development courses. Mine had access to marketing courses that I used to upskill during slower job search periods. **Networking Strategy**: I joined free marketing meetups and virtual events through Eventbrite. Made two solid connections that led to informational interviews, and one eventually became a job referral. **Reality Check**: Don't just focus on your "ideal" marketing role. I ended up taking a communications position at a healthcare nonprofit that's been amazing - sometimes adjacent fields offer better opportunities than you expect. The 26-week limit is firm, but if you use that time strategically for both job searching and building your safety net, it's definitely manageable. The uncertainty is the hardest part, but having a concrete plan for weeks 20+ really helped my peace of mind. You've got this - the marketing skills that got you your last job will get you the next one too!

anybody know if this works the same way for part time workers?

Just went through this process myself! NY does backdate to your last day of work BUT only if you can prove when you lost your job and have a valid reason for the delay in filing. I had a 10-day gap between losing my job and filing my claim, and they approved the full backpay after I submitted my termination email and explained I was trying to figure out the process first. Don't stress too much - just gather your documentation (last paystub, termination notice, even emails work) and be honest about why there was a delay when you talk to them. The key is filing ASAP from now and being prepared to explain the gap.