If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to set up the tax withholding, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Was way easier than sitting on hold for hours trying to reach someone.

Just remember you'll get a 1099-G form from NYS Department of Labor in January showing your total benefits received for the year. You'll need this when filing your taxes.

I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks about a similar question and their phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected. It's so frustrating when you need answers about your specific situation. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

The whole system is so confusing. I wish they would just have clear guidelines about leaves of absence on their website instead of making us guess.

My sister went through this investigation last year and it turned out fine, just took forever. The key is responding to every request promptly and being completely honest about everything. They're mostly looking for people who filed fake claims or worked under the table while collecting benefits.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my investigation letter about 3 weeks ago and I'm still gathering all the documents they requested. One thing that's been helpful is creating a timeline of everything that happened during my unemployment period - when I filed, when I received payments, any work I did, etc. Also keep copies of everything you send them because they sometimes claim they never received documents. The waiting is the worst part but from what I'm reading here it sounds like most legitimate claims get cleared eventually. Stay strong and don't let the process intimidate you if you know you did everything right!

ugh fraud investigations are the worst... took 8 weeks to resolve mine and they made me jump through so many hoops. make sure you respond to everything quickly or they'll assume you're guilty

I went through a similar investigation last year and it was nerve-wracking, but it worked out fine since I had kept good records. In my case, it was triggered because my former employer initially reported that I was terminated for cause, but later changed it to a layoff after I provided documentation. The investigation took about 6 weeks total. My advice: gather everything now - pay stubs, bank statements, job search logs, any emails with employers about your separation. Also, if you haven't already, request a copy of your complete unemployment file from NYS DOL so you can see exactly what information they have. Most investigations of honest claimants get resolved favorably, it's just a slow process.

I think the key is just being completely transparent. When I filed my initial claim, I included extra documentation even when it wasn't required, just to show I was being thorough. Better to over-document than under-document when it comes to unemployment benefits.

Another thing to watch out for is making sure your bank account information stays current with NYS DOL. I've heard of cases where people got flagged because their direct deposit info was outdated or they had multiple accounts linked, which can look suspicious to their automated systems. Also, if you move during your claim period, update your address immediately - filing from a different location than what's on record can trigger fraud alerts. The system is pretty sensitive to any inconsistencies in your personal information.