The whole tax system is rigged against working people. They tax unemployment benefits but give billionaires tax breaks. Makes no sense that people who lost their jobs have to pay taxes on the money that barely kept them afloat.

Just to add some practical advice - when you file your taxes, make sure you double-check that the amount on your 1099-G matches what you actually received. I had a discrepancy last year where the form showed more than I got, and it turned out there was an error in their system. Also, if you're worried about owing money, you might want to consider making estimated tax payments next time if you receive unemployment again. The IRS has a tool on their website to help calculate how much to withhold or pay quarterly.

I threw mine away by mistake thinking it was a credit card offer! Had to call NYS Department of Labor to get a replacement which took another 2 weeks. The envelope really doesn't make it clear what it is. If you're expecting it, just keep any mail from KeyBank until you can check what it is.

Just wanted to share my experience - I almost missed mine too! The KeyBank envelope is pretty generic looking and if you're not expecting it, it totally looks like credit card junk mail. Mine took about 10 days to arrive after my first payment posted. Pro tip: if you're worried about missing it, you can actually call KeyBank's unemployment card customer service line to confirm they have your correct mailing address on file. Better safe than sorry!

hang in there, these things usually work out eventually. the wait is awful but try not to panic

I went through something similar last year - my claim was pending for 8 weeks! It turned out they needed additional documentation from my previous employer about my separation. The key is to keep calling early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) when they open - that's when I finally got through. Also, if you haven't already, try contacting your local assemblyperson's office. They often have contacts at the Department of Labor who can help expedite these cases. Don't give up - the backpay will come once it's resolved, and like others said, make sure you keep certifying weekly!

The whole seasonal thing is so frustrating because NYS Department of Labor treats us like we're gaming the system but this is just how these industries work! We didn't choose to have jobs that shut down for months at a time. At least unemployment helps bridge the gap but the hoops they make you jump through are ridiculous.

One thing that helped me when I was dealing with seasonal unemployment from my restaurant job (we close in winter) was keeping really good documentation. Save all emails from your employer about closure dates and expected reopening, keep your layoff notice, and document everything when you file your claim. NYS Department of Labor sometimes asks for proof that it's truly seasonal work versus just being laid off permanently. Also, even though you're on standby status, you still need to report any part-time work you might pick up during the off-season - I learned that the hard way when I did some freelance snow removal and didn't report it properly at first.

Just want to add that you should also check if the job offer is in a different field than your previous work. NYS Department of Labor considers your work history and skills when determining suitable work. Since you were in accounting and this is data entry, even though there's some overlap, the significant pay cut combined with it being a step down professionally gives you strong grounds to refuse. I'd recommend continuing to apply for accounting positions and keeping detailed records of your job search efforts - this shows you're actively looking for work in your field.

I went through something very similar a few months ago when I was laid off from my marketing coordinator role at $25/hour. Got offered a retail position at $14/hour and was terrified to refuse it. After doing research and talking to NYS Department of Labor, I learned that refusing unsuitable work won't affect your benefits as long as you document everything properly. The 80% rule mentioned earlier is accurate - you can refuse jobs paying significantly less during your first 10 weeks. I kept a detailed log of all job offers, applications sent, and interviews attended. It really helped when they did a routine review of my claim later. Don't let employers or even well-meaning friends pressure you into taking something that doesn't make financial sense - the system is designed to give you reasonable time to find appropriate work. Just make sure you're actively job searching and can prove it.