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Just to add to what everyone else said - the application processes are totally different too. For unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor, you apply online at labor.ny.gov and it's pretty straightforward if you have your employment history ready. For cash assistance, you usually have to go to your local Department of Social Services office in person with tons of documents like pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, etc. The unemployment application asks about your work history and why you lost your job, while cash assistance digs deep into your entire financial situation and living arrangements. I'd definitely start with unemployment first since that's faster and you're more likely to qualify based on losing your job.
This is super helpful! I was wondering about the application process differences. One thing I'm still confused about though - if I apply for unemployment first and get approved, will that make me automatically ineligible for cash assistance? Or do they evaluate them separately? I'm a single mom with one kid and really worried about making ends meet while I look for a new job.
They evaluate them separately, but your unemployment benefits will count as income when they determine your cash assistance eligibility. So you won't be automatically ineligible, but the unemployment might reduce your cash assistance amount or potentially make you ineligible if it puts you over the income limits. Since you're a single mom though, the income limits for cash assistance are usually higher than for single people without kids. I'd definitely apply for unemployment first since that's guaranteed if you qualify based on your work history, then apply for cash assistance after and see what happens. Even if you only get partial cash assistance, every little bit helps when you're trying to make ends meet!
One more thing to keep in mind - the timing can be really important! Unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor usually start paying within 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim, but cash assistance can take much longer to process (sometimes 30-45 days). So definitely get your unemployment application in ASAP since you just lost your job last week. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can start getting those benefits. And don't wait to apply for cash assistance either if you think you might qualify - even if the unemployment reduces what you get, having both applications in the system means you'll get help as soon as possible. Also, make sure to keep all your documentation organized because both programs might ask for additional paperwork later on.
This timing advice is so important! I wish I had known this when I first lost my job. I waited almost a month before applying for anything because I thought I had to choose between them. By the time I figured out they were different programs, I had already missed out on weeks of potential unemployment benefits. The retroactive payments helped some, but it would have been so much easier to have that income coming in right away. For anyone reading this - definitely don't make the same mistake I did. Apply for unemployment through NYS Department of Labor immediately, even if you're not sure about all the details. You can always ask questions later, but you can't get back those lost weeks of eligibility.
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anyone else notice that the payment hits your account a day later when ur on extended benefits? regular UI always came tuesday for me but extended benefits hits wednesday for some reason
Mine still comes Tuesday but it's later in the day than it used to be. Maybe depends on your bank?
Update: I certified yesterday for my final week of regular benefits. The system didn't show anything different, but today I got a message in my account saying I'm eligible for extended benefits! It says I need to continue certifying weekly and that my weekly benefit amount will stay the same. It also mentioned the increased work search requirements (5 activities per week). Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
That's fantastic news! So glad it worked out smoothly for you. Just a heads up - I've been on extended benefits for about 6 weeks now and they really do check your work search activities more carefully. I got a request to provide details about my job search activities from week 3, so definitely keep good records of everything (company names, dates, how you applied, etc.). Also, the "suitable work" requirements can be tricky - I had to turn down a job that was only 75% of my previous wage but accept one that was 85% even though it was a completely different field. Good luck with everything!
Congratulations on getting approved! That's such a relief when the system works as it should. I'm in a similar situation - my regular benefits end in about 3 weeks and I've been worried about the transition. Your post gives me hope that it might go smoothly. Quick question - did you get any notification before your last regular payment that extended benefits were being processed, or did the message just appear after you certified? Also, thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect!
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I went through something similar two years ago. The investigation process took about 6 weeks for me. Here's what I learned: 1) Respond to everything they send you promptly and completely, 2) Gather all records of the unreported work (pay stubs, bank deposits, etc.), 3) Write a clear explanation of why you didn't report it initially. In my case, I genuinely misunderstood the reporting requirements for odd jobs under $100. They still made me pay back $3,200 plus penalties, but no criminal charges. The worst part was the stress of waiting, but being proactive and honest helped. You might also want to consult with an employment attorney for a consultation - many offer free 30-minute consultations for cases like this.
This is really helpful advice, thank you @Diego Vargas. The 6-week timeline gives me some perspective on what to expect. I'm definitely going to gather all my records like you suggested. Did you end up needing that employment attorney consultation, or were you able to handle it on your own? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the cost since the amount involved is relatively small.
I actually did get a free consultation with an employment attorney and it was really worth it, even for a smaller amount. They helped me understand my rights and gave me specific language to use in my written response that I think made a difference. The attorney explained that how you frame your explanation can really impact whether they treat it as willful fraud vs. an honest mistake. For $2,800 like @Fatima Al-Mazrouei mentioned, I d'definitely recommend at least getting that free consultation - it s'basically insurance to make sure you handle this the right way from the start.
I work for a legal aid organization and see these cases regularly. A few key points: 1) NYS Department of Labor distinguishes between "willful" fraud and "non-willful" overpayments - your explanation matters a lot here. 2) For amounts under $5,000, they rarely pursue criminal charges unless there's a clear pattern of deception. 3) You can request a payment plan if you can't afford the full amount at once. 4) The 15% penalty mentioned is accurate, but they sometimes waive it for first-time offenders who cooperate fully. 5) Most importantly - respond within the deadline they give you (usually 10 days) or they'll make a determination without your input. Document everything and consider it a learning experience rather than the end of the world.
@Chloe Taylor this is exactly the kind of expert insight I was hoping to find here. The willful "vs" non-willful "distinction" you mentioned really gives me hope since my situation was genuinely a misunderstanding about reporting requirements. I had no idea there was only a 10-day response window - that s'critical information that could save someone s'case. One quick question: when you say document "everything, what" specific types of documentation should I prioritize gathering? I have some text messages with the person I did work for and bank deposit records, but I m'wondering if there are other types of evidence that would be particularly helpful in demonstrating this was an honest mistake rather than intentional fraud.
@Chloe Taylor thank you so much for breaking this down - the willful vs non-willful distinction is huge! I m'in a similar boat where I genuinely didn t'understand the reporting requirements. Quick question: if they do offer a waiver hearing, is it better to take it or just accept their initial determination? I m'worried about making things worse but also want to make sure I get a fair shake. Also, do you know if having a clean record with no prior unemployment issues helps with getting penalty waivers?
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I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just got the call last week about a potential overpayment from 2024. The uncertainty is really stressful, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful. It sounds like most people are able to keep their claims active while they pay back the overpayment through reduced weekly benefits. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the percentage they take isn't too high. Has anyone had luck getting the overpayment amount reduced by providing additional documentation about when they actually started work vs when they reported it?
I haven't personally tried to get the overpayment amount reduced with additional documentation, but from what I've been reading here it seems like having detailed records of your actual start date vs when you reported could definitely help. @Lucas Schmidt mentioned his brother was able to reduce his overpayment by showing proof of when he actually started working versus what NYSDOL claimed. It might be worth gathering any documentation you have - like your job offer letter, first day paperwork, or employment contract that shows your actual start date. The worst they can say is no, but it could potentially save you money if there s'a discrepancy in their records.
I went through this exact situation last year and wanted to share some additional tips that helped me. First, they will almost certainly keep your claim active - I've never heard of them suspending an entire claim just for an overpayment recoupment. They typically take 20-25% of your weekly benefit until it's paid back. However, here's what I wish I had known: if you have direct deposit, they'll automatically start deducting from your benefits once the determination is final. But if you need to dispute any part of the overpayment or request a hardship reduction, you need to act fast - usually within 10-15 days of getting the determination letter. Also, keep all your employment records handy (start date, pay stubs, etc.) because if there's any discrepancy in when you actually started work vs what they have on file, you might be able to reduce the overpayment amount. The whole process is stressful but very manageable if you stay on top of the paperwork and deadlines.
Aria Khan
Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims on time even during the move! I know someone who missed a week because they were busy packing and it caused all sorts of problems with their claim.
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Aaliyah Jackson
One thing to keep in mind is that some states have reciprocal agreements that make the transition smoother. When you get to your new state, you might want to register with their workforce development office too - not to file a new claim, but to access local job search resources and networking events. This can help you stay competitive in the job market while you're collecting from NYS. Also, make sure you understand the tax implications since you'll be living in a different state than where your benefits are coming from.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•That's really helpful advice about registering with the new state's workforce office! I hadn't thought about the tax implications either - do you know if I'll need to file taxes in both states then? Also wondering if the job networking events you mentioned would count toward my work search requirements for NYS?
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