Just wanted to add that you should definitely report the settlement when you file. I know someone who didn't mention their workers comp settlement and got hit with an overpayment notice months later. NYS Department of Labor eventually finds out about these things through data matching.

I went through something similar last year with a shoulder injury settlement. The key thing I learned is that NYS Department of Labor will want to see a breakdown of your settlement showing what portion was for past lost wages vs future wages vs medical expenses. If your settlement agreement doesn't specify this breakdown, you might need to contact your workers comp attorney to get a clarification letter. In my case, most of my settlement was for medical expenses and past wages, so it didn't affect my weekly UI benefit amount. The process took about 4-6 weeks for them to review everything, but I was eventually approved. Make sure you're actively job searching and document everything - they'll ask for proof that you're looking for work within your physical restrictions.

I'm new to this community and this thread is exactly what I needed to find! I'm in a really similar situation - my benefit year is ending next month and I've been stressing about what happens next. I did work for about 8 weeks at a retail job during my benefit year but only made around $2,100. Reading everyone's experiences here is both scary and hopeful at the same time. The part about different base periods and quarters is confusing but gives me some hope since I was working full-time before my original layoff. I had no idea about things like Section 596 claims or the workforce development programs that extend benefits during training - this community is a goldmine of information! One thing that really stands out is how many people are recommending to actually talk to a real person instead of trying to figure it out online. The claimyr service keeps getting mentioned and honestly after reading all these success stories, I'm probably going to try it when my time comes. Spending money to save weeks of frustration and get real answers seems worth it. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's making me feel way less alone in dealing with this stressful situation. Going to bookmark this thread and definitely file a new claim when my benefit year ends, even if I'm not sure I'll qualify. You never know!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! My benefit year ends in early November and I've been absolutely terrified about what comes next. Like many of you, I worked part-time during my benefit year - about 12 weeks at a grocery store making roughly $2,600 total - and assumed that wouldn't be nearly enough to qualify for a new claim. But reading through everyone's experiences here, especially Isabella's story about qualifying when she thought she wouldn't, is giving me real hope. The fact that they might look at base periods differently than I understood, and that the calculations are more complex than just the simple 10x rule, makes me think I might actually have a chance. What really strikes me is how many people are saying the online information is basically useless and you HAVE to talk to an actual person to get real answers. I've been trying to call for weeks with no luck, but after seeing so many success stories with Claimyr, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and try it. At this point the stress of not knowing is worse than the cost of getting through to someone who can give me definitive answers. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is providing more helpful information than months of trying to navigate the official website. I'm definitely going to file a new claim when my benefit year ends, regardless of what I think my chances are. Will update you all on how it goes!

Been through this twice now. Keep filing, report income accurately, and save copies of everything. When the contract ends, your benefits should resume at the full amount automatically. Just make sure you're still meeting job search requirements during the contract if NYS Department of Labor requires it.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year with a 4-week consulting gig. The advice here is spot on - definitely keep filing your weekly claims and report every dollar you earn. What helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my contract earnings each week so I could report accurately. The partial benefit calculation worked in my favor since the contract paid less than my full weekly benefit amount. One thing to note: make sure you understand if your contract work affects your job search requirements. In my case, I still had to log job search activities even while working the contract. The whole process was much smoother than I expected once I got into the routine of accurate reporting.

Great advice from everyone here! I'd also recommend creating a backup system for your documentation. I keep both digital copies (Google Drive folder) and print out important stuff monthly just in case. One thing I learned the hard way - when you apply through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, also grab a screenshot of the actual job posting itself, not just the confirmation page. Sometimes those postings get taken down and if DOL wants to verify the job actually existed, you'll have proof. Also, if you do phone inquiries, jot down the date, time, and who you spoke with (even if it's just a receptionist). Those count as job contacts too and it shows you're being proactive beyond just online applications.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that career counseling sessions and job search workshops also count as valid job search activities! Many local libraries and workforce development centers offer free workshops on resume writing, interview skills, or networking. I've attended several and they not only count toward your weekly requirement but actually help improve your search strategy. Make sure to get some kind of proof you attended - a certificate, sign-in sheet, or even just the event flyer with your notes on it. Also, if you're in a specific field, professional association meetings or industry events can count too. It's a good way to network while meeting your job search requirements.

If you do decide to file after quitting, be prepared for potential delays getting through to NYS Department of Labor if you need to speak with someone about your case. I spent weeks trying to call about my adjudication status. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent - they have a video demo showing how it works (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI). Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.

The unemployment system is so messed up, they make it impossible to get benefits even when you legitimately need them. I'd say just quit and file anyway - worst case they deny you and you're in the same position you'd be in if you didn't try at all.