I went through something similar a few months ago. Even though I was classified as 1099, I still filed because like others mentioned, sometimes companies misclassify workers. In my case, NYS Department of Labor looked at the details of my work arrangement and determined I should have been an employee based on the level of control the company had over my work. It took about 6 weeks to get a decision, but I ended up qualifying for benefits. The key factors they considered were that I worked set hours, used company equipment, and my work was essential to their core business operations rather than a specialized project. Definitely worth filing - you've got nothing to lose by trying.

I'm in a very similar situation - just finished a 4-month contract where I was classified as 1099 but had to work their set schedule and use company equipment for all my tasks. Reading through these responses, especially @Gabriel Ruiz's success story, I'm definitely going to file a claim. It sounds like the key is documenting how much control they had over your work. I saved emails about my required hours, screenshots of using their project management systems, and even photos of the company laptop they gave me. Even if it takes 6 weeks like Gabriel mentioned, it's worth trying since the alternative is just assuming I don't qualify. Thanks everyone for the insights - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding that contractor misclassification is more common than I thought.

The whole system is designed to trip you up I swear. Last time I filed they made me wait forever just because I put the wrong date somewhere. But yeah definitely wait until you're actually unemployed or they'll find some reason to delay everything.

Just want to add that when you do file after your last day, make sure you have all your documentation ready - your final pay stub, any separation paperwork from your employer, and exact dates of employment. NYS DOL will ask for your employer's information too, so have that contact info handy. The online system is usually fastest, but expect it to be slow during peak hours (Monday mornings are brutal). Good luck with the transition!

Great to hear you got through and have a timeline! For anyone else dealing with this, I went through the same thing last month. One tip that helped me was setting up text alerts in my online banking so I'd know immediately when the redeposit hit my account. Also, if you're really tight on money while waiting, some banks will do a small emergency loan against pending direct deposits - might be worth asking about if you're a longtime customer. The whole system definitely needs work but at least there are workarounds!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had the exact same issue back in December. My payment was returned on a Wednesday and I got the redeposit the following Tuesday, so about 6 business days total. The key thing I learned is to NOT change your direct deposit info right before a payment is scheduled to go out. I made that mistake and it caused the whole mess. Now I always update banking info right after I receive a payment, giving plenty of time for the next one to process correctly. Also, if you're really stressed about timing like Bruno was, most utility companies and landlords will work with you if you explain it's a government payment delay - they've seen this before. Hope this helps someone avoid the panic I went through!

last week i had to try like 8 times to get thru when claimin my partial hours they really need to fix there system im so sick of this!!!!!

I've been dealing with this same exact issue for the past two weeks! The system keeps cutting me off right when I try to enter my work hours. What finally worked for me was calling the main line (888-209-8124) at exactly 8:00 AM on Monday morning and speaking very slowly and clearly when entering numbers. Also, I learned that if you're working different hours each day, don't try to enter a weekly total - the system gets confused. Enter each day separately like: Monday 4 hours, Tuesday 6 hours, etc. Still took me 3 tries but at least I got through eventually. The whole system is such a mess but hang in there!

I went through this same confusion when I first started collecting benefits. The exemptions show up in your online account under the "Determinations" section - they're basically waivers from certain requirements. The most common one is the work search exemption if you're temporarily laid off with a definite recall date. However, if your employer keeps pushing back your return date, you might lose that exemption status and need to start doing the 3 weekly job searches. I'd recommend calling the Tele-Center (though good luck getting through) or checking if there's been any change to your exemption status in your online account. The key is staying on top of it because if you lose an exemption and don't start meeting the requirements, you could face an overpayment situation.

The exemption notifications can be tricky - NYS DOL doesn't always send automatic alerts when your status changes. I learned this the hard way when my temporary layoff exemption expired without warning. What I do now is check my online account every week before certifying, specifically looking at the "Claim Summary" and "Determinations" sections. If you see any changes in your exemption status or if your employer updates their return date estimate, that's usually when the work search requirements kick back in. Also, pay attention to the weekly certification questions - they sometimes change when exemptions expire. I'd suggest documenting your exemption status each week (screenshot or write it down) so you have a record if there are any disputes later about when requirements changed.