Thanks everyone for clarifying this! I was getting really stressed thinking I'd have to pay everything back just for getting a job. So to confirm - as long as I report my part-time earnings accurately on my weekly certification, NYS Department of Labor will just adjust my benefit amount accordingly? And I only risk having to pay money back if I don't report income or if there's some other eligibility issue they discover later? This is such a relief because that part-time job would really help me transition back to full-time work eventually.

Just wanted to add one important detail - when you report part-time earnings, NYS Department of Labor has a partial benefit formula where you can earn up to a certain amount (I think it's around $143/week in 2024) before they start reducing your benefits dollar-for-dollar. So depending on how much your part-time job pays, you might still get some unemployment benefits on top of your wages. This actually makes the transition easier since you're not losing all your UI support immediately. Just make sure to report everything accurately and you'll be fine - no payback required!

Just wanted to add some practical advice - when you file your weekly claims, keep detailed records of your hours and earnings from both jobs. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything week by week. Also, if your delivery job pays through apps like DoorDash or Uber, make sure you're tracking those 1099 earnings carefully since they don't withhold taxes. The NYS Department of Labor will want accurate gross earnings reported, and having good records will save you headaches if they ever audit your claim.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Had a part-time office job that cut my hours from 30 to 10 per week, plus I was working weekends at a catering company. The NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty helpful once I got through to them. The key thing is that you're eligible for partial unemployment benefits because you had a "qualifying reduction in hours" - doesn't matter that you still have the other job. Just make sure when you file that you use the retail job (the one that cut your hours) as your primary employer for the claim. You'll still need to report all income from both jobs each week, but as long as your total weekly earnings are below your weekly benefit amount plus the $50 disregard, you'll get some benefits. With your current $180/week total, you should definitely qualify for something. Good luck!

Hey Derek, I just joined this community and your post really caught my attention because I'm dealing with something similar right now. I've been collecting unemployment for about 6 weeks and just started a small part-time job (only 12 hours a week) that I haven't reported yet. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful - it sounds like the key is to come forward voluntarily rather than waiting to get caught. I'm planning to call NYS DOL this week to report my unreported income after seeing how others here handled it successfully. It's reassuring to hear from people like Admin_Masters and others who went through this exact situation and came out okay. The anxiety is definitely real, but it seems like being proactive and honest is the way to go. Thanks for posting this question - it's helping more people than just yourself!

Derek, I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of support here. I was in almost exactly your situation about a year ago - collecting unemployment while working part-time without reporting it. Like you, I was absolutely terrified after reading about fraud penalties online. The sleepless nights and constant anxiety were horrible. But here's the thing - I called NYS DOL after 7 weeks of unreported work (about $150/week), and while it wasn't pleasant, it was nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined. I had to repay about $1,050 in overpayments plus a 15% penalty, and got disqualified from benefits for 6 weeks. No criminal charges, no jail time, just administrative penalties. The agent I spoke with was actually pretty matter-of-fact about it - apparently this happens more often than you'd think. The key is calling them before they find it through their wage matching systems. I know it's scary, but everyone here is giving you the same advice because it works. Call tomorrow, be completely honest, and start putting this behind you. You're going to be okay.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My benefits exhausted last month but my benefit year doesn't end until June. I've been so confused about whether to wait or file now. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - it sounds like the key factor is whether you've worked enough since your original claim to qualify for a new one. The part about continuing to certify weekly even with exhausted benefits is news to me too. I stopped certifying thinking there was no point, but now I'm worried I messed something up. Does anyone know if there's a way to go back and certify for missed weeks, or am I stuck having to explain the gap later? Also seeing multiple people confirm that Claimyr service works is reassuring. The regular phone line is absolutely impossible - I've tried calling dozens of times and never gotten through to anyone who could actually help with this specific situation.

I went through this exact same confusion about 4 months ago! The NY unemployment system really doesn't make it clear what to do when benefits exhaust before your benefit year ends. Based on what you've described - benefits exhausted but benefit year ending April 30th, plus 2 months of recent work - you should definitely try to speak with a specialist ASAP rather than just waiting. That recent work history could very well qualify you to file a new claim early, especially if those earnings crossed quarter boundaries and met the minimum thresholds. When I was in a similar situation, the agent was able to pull up my wage records instantly and tell me I qualified based on my interim employment. Don't worry about "breaking" the system by trying to file early - the worst they can tell you is to wait until your benefit year ends. But if you do qualify, you could potentially start receiving payments again without having to wait the full 3+ weeks. I know everyone's mentioned the phone struggles, and they're real. If you can't get through on the regular line after a few days of trying, that Claimyr service others have mentioned really does work. I was skeptical too but it saved me literally days of frustration. And definitely keep certifying weekly even though your benefits are exhausted - this maintains your claim status and creates a continuous record that you're actively seeking work. I almost made the mistake of stopping and it would have created complications later.

I'm at week 5 and dealing with almost the exact same situation! They just suggested a position paying $36K when I was making $74K before - that's only 49% of my previous salary. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. What really stands out to me is how consistent the advice is across all these responses: be professional but firm, cite the specific percentage and the 80% rule, document everything thoroughly, and update your work search plan to emphasize certifications and experience. The sample email language that people have shared is gold - being specific about the numbers makes it clear you understand the rules and aren't just being unreasonable. I'm definitely going to start that documentation spreadsheet that multiple people mentioned and update my work search plan today. It's amazing how many of us are getting these inappropriate suggestions in our first few weeks, but seeing all these successful outcomes when handled professionally gives me so much confidence. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread has turned what felt like a scary situation into something totally manageable. The 80% protection during the first 13 weeks is real, and knowing how to use it properly makes all the difference!

I'm at week 2 and just got my first job suggestion from my counselor - they want me to consider a position paying $31K when I was making $68K at my previous job! That's less than 46% of what I was earning. Reading through this entire thread has been absolutely incredible - I had NO idea about the 80% rule during the first 13 weeks and was honestly terrified they could just cut my benefits if I said no to anything they suggested. The consistent advice from everyone here is so reassuring: be professional but specific, cite the exact percentages, mention the 80% threshold rule, and document absolutely everything. I'm going to send my counselor an email like: "Thank you for the job suggestion. However, this position at $31,000 represents only 45% of my previous salary of $68,000, which falls well below the 80% threshold applicable during the first 13 weeks of my claim period. I will continue my active search for positions that better utilize my qualifications and experience." I'm starting that documentation spreadsheet immediately and updating my work search plan to emphasize my certifications. It's amazing to see so many people successfully decline these lowball early offers while keeping their benefits intact. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone starting unemployment in NY - you've all potentially saved me from making a huge mistake by accepting an inappropriate job out of fear. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed, practical advice!