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.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my two kids. You can definitely get both - I'm still receiving SNAP even while getting unemployment. The key thing is to be completely honest on your SNAP application about receiving unemployment. They'll calculate your SNAP benefits based on your total household income including the unemployment payments. For a family of 3, you might still qualify for a decent amount even with unemployment income. Also, don't forget to look into WIC if your kids are under 5 - that's separate from SNAP and really helpful for families. The whole process takes a few weeks so definitely get both applications in as soon as possible.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that the local DSS offices can be really helpful if you can get there in person. I know it's hard with kids but when I applied for SNAP, the caseworker walked me through exactly how my unemployment benefits would affect my food stamp amount. They have calculators that show you right away what you'd qualify for. Also, if you're having trouble with childcare for job searching while on unemployment, some counties have emergency childcare assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. Don't give up if the first application seems overwhelming - there are people there to help you navigate it all.

just be honest about everything and you'll be fine, the system is set up to catch people who try to cheat but if you report your work they usually just reduce your benefits for that week

Just to add to what others have said - NYS Department of Labor also receives data from the State Directory of New Hires, which employers must report to within 20 days of hiring someone. They also do periodic cross-matches with Social Security Administration records and state tax databases. The bottom line is they have multiple ways to detect unreported work, so transparency is definitely your best policy. When you certify for benefits each week, report ANY work you did during that week, even if it was just a few hours or you haven't been paid yet. It's much better to have your benefits reduced correctly than to face fraud charges later.

Just went through this myself - my benefits ended exactly at 26 weeks. Make sure you file your final weekly claim even if it shows 0 days remaining, sometimes there are small adjustments. Also start preparing now for what you'll do after benefits end. The job search pressure definitely increases when you're getting close to the deadline.

@Zainab Yusuf - I'm currently at week 20 myself so I understand the anxiety! One thing that really helped me was calling my local One-Stop Career Center. They have counselors who can help you prepare for when benefits end and sometimes know about programs or temporary assistance that might bridge the gap. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're signed up for job alerts on multiple platforms so you're not missing any opportunities in these final weeks. The countdown is stressful but you've got this!

Congratulations Justin! This is such great news and proves that persistence really pays off. The fact that your weekly benefit went from $318 to $504 shows just how significant these wage reporting errors can be. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation - Justin's success story shows that even though the process can be frustrating and time-consuming, it's absolutely worth fighting for your correct benefits. The difference between what you should receive versus what they initially offer can be life-changing when you're unemployed. Also want to emphasize what Justin did right: he kept detailed records, got employer verification, and didn't give up even when it took 5 weeks. That retroactive payment is going to make a huge difference for his financial situation right now. Thanks for sharing your journey with us - posts like this help the whole community!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help people going through this - if you're having trouble getting through to NYSDOL by phone, try calling different regional offices instead of the main number. The Albany office (518-457-9000) sometimes has shorter wait times than the NYC line. Also, when you're gathering your wage documentation, make sure to include any overtime, bonuses, or commission payments that might not show up on regular pay stubs. I've seen cases where people forgot to include their year-end bonus and it made a significant difference in their benefit calculation. One more tip: if you worked for multiple employers during your base period, you'll need wage verification from ALL of them, not just the most recent one. The system sometimes only picks up wages from employers who filed their quarterly reports on time, so smaller companies or contractors might not show up initially. Keep fighting for what you're owed - these "mistakes" are way too common to be accidental!