just be honest about everything! i got in trouble once for not reporting some cash work i did and had to pay back benefits plus penalties. not worth it

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been doing part-time work while on unemployment for about 6 months now. You definitely don't need to call ahead, just report everything accurately on your weekly certification. Make sure you have your pay stubs ready when you file because you'll need to enter your gross earnings (before taxes). The system is pretty straightforward once you get used to it. One tip: file your weekly claim as soon as possible after your benefit week ends to avoid any delays in processing.

Cash App processing times >>> regular bank accounts frfr

Just got approved for benefits yesterday! This timeline gives me hope that I might see my first payment soon. Quick question though - can you use any digital wallet like Venmo or PayPal for direct deposit, or is Cash App the only one that works fast? Also, what exactly do you mean by "answer certification questions correctly"? Are there specific things to watch out for? Thanks for sharing your experience, really helpful for us newbies! 🙏

wait so if my benefit year ends but i still have money left in my balance i lose that money? that seems wrong

I'm in the exact same boat right now! Filed in March too and getting really anxious about when this all ends. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I need to log into my.ny.gov and check my remaining balance and benefit year end date. Has anyone here had luck with the extended benefits programs that sometimes kick in during high unemployment periods, or is that not a thing in NY right now? Also @CosmicCowboy - definitely keep track of your job search activities because they can audit that stuff even if you're still within your 26 weeks.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, regular unemployment insurance through NYS Department of Labor is only available to employees who had unemployment taxes paid on their behalf by employers. Since you were self-employed, you wouldn't qualify for traditional UI benefits. The PUA program that helped self-employed people during COVID ended in September 2021. However, don't give up entirely - you might want to look into other assistance programs like SNAP, emergency rental assistance, or local food banks to help bridge the gap while you figure out your next steps. Also, if you do any contract work where you're misclassified as 1099 when you should be W2, that could potentially change things. It's a tough situation but there might be other resources available to help you through this difficult time.

I feel for you - I went through something similar when my freelance writing business crashed in 2022. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that self-employed people like us don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits because we never paid into the system. The PUA program that helped during COVID was our one shot at unemployment assistance and it's long gone. What really helped me was getting on SNAP benefits quickly (the application process was easier than I expected) and connecting with local assistance programs through 211 (dial 2-1-1 for info). I also had to swallow my pride and take a part-time retail job while slowly rebuilding my client base on the side. It's not ideal but sometimes we have to pivot to survive. Don't view taking employee work as giving up on your business - think of it as creating stability while you rebuild. You can always scale back the employee work once your design business picks up again.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help - if you're having trouble reaching NYSDOL by phone (which seems to be a common problem), you can also submit additional evidence for your appeal case online through their website. I had a similar situation where my employer claimed I abandoned my job, but I was actually terminated. What really helped my case was submitting a sworn affidavit (you can find templates online) detailing exactly what happened. The hearing officer seemed to give more weight to written statements that were signed under oath. Also, since you mentioned your employer used the word "restructuring," try to think if there were any company-wide emails, announcements, or even rumors about layoffs or budget cuts around that time. Even indirect evidence of company financial problems can support the restructuring explanation and contradict the voluntary quit claim. One last thing - during your hearing, if the employer's representative tries to claim you quit, ask them to explain how "restructuring" (their own stated reason) equals a voluntary quit. That contradiction alone should be enough to win your case. You've got this! The fact that you're gathering evidence and preparing shows you're taking the right approach.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's incredibly stressful to be without income for months while fighting these false claims. The fact that your employer told you it was "restructuring" but then claimed to unemployment that you quit voluntarily is actually perfect evidence of their dishonesty. A few things that might help your case: - Check if you have any email confirmations about that termination meeting, even if they're just calendar invites or follow-ups - See if you can find any company communications around that time about budget cuts, layoffs, or organizational changes - If possible, reach out to those coworkers who were also let go - having multiple people terminated for "restructuring" at the same time completely destroys the voluntary quit narrative The contradiction between "restructuring" (employer-initiated) and "voluntary quit" (employee-initiated) is so obvious that it should be an easy win for you. Document everything, stay factual during the hearing, and remember that many employers don't even show up to defend these bogus claims. Keep certifying weekly even though you're not getting paid yet - you'll get all that backpay once you win. You've got strong evidence on your side!