This is such a timely question! I just went through this decision myself a few months ago. After reading through all the responses here, I ended up keeping everything for 4 years but went the digital route that several people mentioned. I used a document scanner app on my phone to convert all my physical paperwork to PDFs, then organized them in folders by month/year on Google Drive. It took a weekend but now I have everything searchable and backed up, plus I freed up a whole file cabinet! The peace of mind is worth it - especially after reading about people actually getting contacted years later about their claims.

This is such valuable information - I wish I had known this when my claim ended! I'm currently dealing with a similar paperwork situation and was planning to just keep everything for one year. After reading everyone's experiences, especially about people being contacted 2+ years later, I'm definitely going to keep everything for at least 4 years now. The digital scanning approach that several people mentioned sounds perfect. Has anyone had experience with NYS Department of Labor accepting scanned/digital copies of documents if they request something, or do they specifically need original paperwork? I'd hate to scan everything only to find out they require physical documents during an investigation.

bruh i swear ny unemployment be playing games with our money 🤡

I went through the exact same thing last year! The base period calculation is honestly the most confusing part of NY unemployment. What helped me was calling the DOL directly (took forever to get through) and having them walk through my wage history quarter by quarter. They were able to explain exactly which quarters they were looking at and why certain wages weren't included. Also double check that all your employers properly reported your wages - sometimes there are delays or mistakes in their reporting that can affect your base period calculation. Don't give up, the system is complicated but there are people there who can help clarify things if you can get through to them!

Make sure you keep track of any wages you earn in your final week of unemployment. Even if you only work a few days, you need to report those earnings on your last certification. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about accurate wage reporting.

Just wanted to add - when you report your return to work, make sure you have your start date and employer information ready. The system will ask for your new employer's name and address. Also, if you're starting part-time initially, you might still be eligible for partial benefits, so don't assume you need to completely stop your claim right away. The system will calculate if you're still eligible based on your reduced hours/wages.

Just wanted to say I'm in the exact same boat - filed 3 weeks ago, employer contested, still waiting. At least we're not alone in this mess!

I went through this same situation last year and it's incredibly stressful! My claim took about 5 weeks to resolve when my employer contested it. A few tips that helped me: 1) Document everything - save emails, take screenshots of your claim status, keep records of all communication. 2) Check if your state has any emergency assistance programs while you wait. 3) Consider reaching out to your local unemployment office directly if possible - sometimes they can give you a better timeline estimate. Hang in there, the waiting is awful but most contested claims do get resolved eventually. Keep filing those weekly certifications no matter what!

Ugh the fact finding process is such a pain. They put mine on hold for like a month because my former employer didn't respond to their inquiry fast enough. Meanwhile I'm sitting here with no income waiting for them to figure their stuff out. The whole unemployment system needs a major overhaul if you ask me.

I went through the exact same thing with NYS Department of Labor last year. The "pending fact finding" status is nerve-wracking when you're waiting for benefits, but it's actually a standard part of their process. In my case, they were verifying my layoff details with my former employer. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly claims like everyone mentioned - even though you won't get paid during the investigation, you'll receive back pay for those weeks once it's resolved. I also recommend setting up text alerts on your phone for any mail delivery since they often send important documents through regular mail that you need to respond to quickly. Hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but most claims do get approved once they finish their review.