This is all making me nervous... what happens if I make a mistake on my weekly claim? Like if I accidentally put the wrong date or something? Will they deny my whole claim??

Just wanted to add that you should file your initial claim as soon as possible after losing your job - there's no waiting period to file, and you want to get the process started right away. Also, make sure you have all your employment information ready (dates of employment, employer addresses, reason for separation) because you'll need that for your application. The online system at labor.ny.gov is usually the fastest way to file. One more tip - set up direct deposit when you file because paper checks can add extra delays to getting your benefits.

This exact thing happened to me about 6 months ago! The NY system gets super confused when your hours fluctuate even slightly. What worked for me was selecting "still employed with reduced hours" when it asks why you're not working, and just re-entering all the same employer info exactly as before. Don't panic - it's just the system being glitchy, not an actual problem with your claim. Your payment might be delayed by a day or two while it processes, but it should go through normally. Keep screenshots of everything just in case you need proof later!

I've been dealing with NY unemployment for about 8 months now and this "break in employment" glitch is SO common with part-time work. The system basically can't handle any variation in hours - even if you work 15 hours one week and 17 the next, it thinks you quit and got rehired 🙄 Here's what I do every time it happens (and yes, it will probably happen again): - Select "Still employed with reduced hours" - Re-enter your employer info exactly the same as before - Answer "NO" to any questions about employment ending - Take screenshots of every page The key is being consistent with how you enter your employer information. If you put "ABC Company" one week and "ABC Co." the next, the system thinks they're different employers. Also heads up - your payment might be delayed 2-3 days when this happens while they "review" it, but it should process. If it gets stuck in pending for more than a week, that's when you need to call (good luck with that nightmare). The whole system is held together with digital duct tape at this point. Just stay patient and consistent with your answers!

I'm dealing with something similar right now and this post really resonates with me. I made the mistake of not reporting some freelance work I was doing while on unemployment benefits, and I just got my overpayment notice last week. The amount they're claiming is around $2,800 plus penalties. Like you, I was desperate at the time and made a really poor decision. Reading through these comments has been both scary and helpful - it sounds like most people who cooperate and set up payment plans avoid the worst consequences. I'm planning to call them tomorrow to discuss my options. Thanks for being brave enough to share your experience because it helps the rest of us know we're not alone in this mess.

I really appreciate you sharing this experience - it takes courage to admit mistakes and warn others. I'm currently on unemployment and seeing your post is making me double-check that I've been reporting everything correctly. It's scary how easy it seems to be for them to find unreported income through cross-referencing records. From what everyone is saying here, it sounds like your best bet is full cooperation and setting up a payment plan. $4,200 is definitely not a small amount but it doesn't seem to be in the range where they typically pursue criminal charges. Have you considered reaching out to any local legal aid organizations? Sometimes they offer free consultations for situations like this and could help you understand your rights during the appeals process. Stay strong - this is going to be stressful but it's not the end of the world and you'll get through it.

The whole unemployment system is so confusing with all these random fields they ask for. Half the time NYS Department of Labor already has the information anyway but they still make you jump through hoops. Just fill out what you can and submit it - they'll contact you if they need anything else.

I had the exact same issue when I filed a few months ago! I spent way too much time searching through old documents looking for this number. Turns out you can just skip it entirely. NYS Department of Labor will match your employer based on the business name and your Social Security number from their records. Don't stress about it - just make sure you have the correct business name and address and you'll be fine.

just a heads up that once your regular UI runs out theres no more extensions like there were during covid. so make sure you're really looking for work and not just going through the motions

One thing to also keep in mind is that your benefit year has an end date regardless of your balance. Even if you still have money left, your claim expires exactly one year from when you first filed. You can find this date on your monetary determination letter or in your online account. So if you filed in June 2024, your claim ends in June 2025 no matter what. This caught me off guard when I was on unemployment a few years back - I thought I could just keep collecting until the money ran out, but the year limit hit first.