Just went through this last month! @Miguel here's what helped me get through it smoothly: - Call first thing at 8 AM when they open (way shorter wait times) - Have your W-2s, pay stubs, and employer contact info ready - Write down the rep's name and any reference numbers they give you - The actual interview part only took about 15-20 minutes once I got through They mostly just verify your employment history and ask why you're unemployed. Super straightforward if you have your paperwork organized. You got this! 💪

Been through this exact same thing! The TCC call is basically just them verifying info that didn't match up properly in the online system. Usually it's something simple like employment dates or reason for separation that needs clarification. My advice: call on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings around 8:15-8:30 AM (not exactly at 8 when everyone else calls). Have your Social Security card, last few pay stubs, and exact dates of employment ready. They'll ask about your work history, why you left your job, and if you're able/available to work. The whole thing took me maybe 25 minutes once I got through. Don't stress too much - they're just doing their due diligence to make sure everything checks out before approving your claim. You're almost there! 👍

As someone who just went through a similar situation as an independent contractor in NY, I wanted to share what worked for me. I was doing freelance web development and my main client cut my monthly retainer from $4,000 to $1,200 - barely enough to survive. The key things that helped my approval: 1. I documented EVERYTHING - saved all emails about the hour/pay reduction 2. Had my 2024 W2 from my previous job which significantly boosted my benefit calculation 3. Created a detailed income comparison showing the dramatic drop wasn't by choice 4. Was completely honest about still having some work but emphasized the involuntary nature of the reduction The process took about 6 weeks total and I had to submit additional docs twice, but I did get approved for partial benefits. My weekly benefit amount was much higher than expected thanks to that prior W2 income being in the base period. For the work search requirements, actively pitching new clients and networking counted toward my weekly activities. I kept a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, and contact methods. Don't let the horror stories scare you off - if your situation is legitimate (which yours absolutely sounds like), it's worth applying. The contractor review process is thorough but that works in your favor if you have proper documentation. Hang in there!

I've been following this thread closely as I'm in a nearly identical situation - independent contractor with hours cut from about 25/week down to maybe 6-8 hours. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful and gives me hope that this might actually work! A few questions for those who've been through this process: How important is it to have the exact contract language that shows you're truly an independent contractor vs. potentially misclassified employee? My contract is pretty basic and doesn't have a lot of the typical IC language I've seen online. Also, when you submitted bank statements, did you need to highlight/annotate the deposits from your client, or just submit raw statements? The timeline document idea that Aisha mentioned is genius - I'm definitely going to create something similar. It's so helpful to see the consistent themes across successful applications: thorough documentation, proof the reduction was involuntary, and having that prior W2 income to boost the benefit calculation. Going to start gathering everything this weekend and apply next week. Fingers crossed! Will definitely update this thread with my experience for anyone else in this situation.

Been collecting unemployment for 2 months while my disability case is under review. No issues so far. The key thing everyone's mentioned is being able to work in some capacity. I can't do my old construction job but I can do light office work, so I'm applying for those types of positions and documenting everything for my job search requirements.

I went through something similar a few years ago when I had to leave my retail job due to a knee injury. The most important thing is to be completely honest and consistent in all your applications and weekly certifications. When I filed for unemployment, I clearly stated my physical limitations and the types of work I could still perform. I also made sure to apply for jobs that matched those capabilities - customer service roles, data entry, reception work, etc. Keep detailed records of your job search activities because NYS requires you to make a certain number of job contacts each week. One tip: consider reaching out to temp agencies that specialize in office work - they often have positions that are perfect for people with physical restrictions and it shows you're actively seeking employment within your limitations.

just a heads up - if you received unemployment in 2024 make sure youre using the right tax forms. the rules changed a bit from covid years. also check if you qualify for any credits that might offset what you owe

One thing that might help is to look into making quarterly estimated tax payments if you think you might need unemployment benefits again in the future. Since UI benefits don't have automatic withholding like regular paychecks, you can avoid a big tax bill by setting aside money throughout the year. I also recommend keeping detailed records of all your unemployment payments in case there are any discrepancies with the 1099-G form you receive.

One thing that helped me understand my disqualification was requesting my complete claim file from NYS Department of Labor. You can see exactly what information they used to make their decision and it might reveal errors or misunderstandings that you can address in your appeal.

I went through something similar and the appeal process is definitely worth pursuing if you believe there's an error. The key is to gather all your documentation - pay stubs, termination letters, anything that proves your work history and the circumstances of your job separations. I was initially denied for "voluntary quit" but it turned out my former employer had reported incorrect information. After appealing with proper documentation, I was approved and received all my back benefits. The appeal hearing lets you present your side of the story directly to a judge, and you can have witnesses testify on your behalf. Don't give up without trying - the worst that can happen is they uphold the original decision, but you might discover there was a mistake in your case.