Just to clarify the main rule: if you owned the items before becoming unemployed and you're selling them at or below what you originally paid, it's not considered income. It only becomes reportable income if you're making a profit through regular sales activity or if it constitutes self-employment. Keep it simple and occasional and you should be fine.

I'm in a similar boat and was worried about this too. From what I've researched, the NYS Department of Labor website actually has a section on "other income" that mentions selling personal property usually doesn't count as wages if it's stuff you already owned. The tricky part is they want you to report ANY income over $405 per week, but selling your own belongings typically falls under "liquidating assets" not "earning income." I'd suggest keeping receipts showing what you originally paid for items if you have them, just to prove you're not making a profit. Also maybe don't sell everything at once - spread it out over a few weeks to avoid any red flags.

have u tried contacting ur state rep? sometimes they can help when ur dealing with unemployment issues. my sisters BF was having problems for months and nothing worked until he reached out to his assembly persons office. they got it fixed in like 2 days.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned after spending way too much time researching this. You're correct that you can't file a new claim until your benefit year ends in September. The 26 weeks is your maximum during that 12-month period, period. However, there are a few things that might help bridge the gap: 1) Look into the 599 training program if you're willing to do job training - you can potentially get benefits while learning new skills, but you MUST get it approved before starting any program. 2) Check if you qualify for Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) if your job loss was due to foreign trade impact. 3) Definitely apply for SNAP, local emergency assistance, and food banks. Also, I know everyone's mentioning Claimyr but I actually got through to NY unemployment by calling right at 8am on a Tuesday - took 47 minutes on hold but I did get a real person. Sometimes persistence pays off before paying for a service. Hang in there!

This whole overpayment thing is such BS. They approve your benefits then decide months later you didn't qualify? How are we supposed to know their rules better than they do? The system is completely backwards.

Ruby, definitely contact NYS DOL as soon as possible to set up a payment plan before tax season. I went through this exact situation two years ago with a $3,200 overpayment. They did take my state refund, but only after I ignored their notices for months. If you're proactive about calling them and explaining your financial situation, they're usually willing to work with you on monthly payments as low as $50-100. Just make sure to get any agreement in writing. The key is reaching out before they automatically offset your refund.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for the determination letter. The uncertainty is really stressful, especially when you're trying to budget and plan for the weeks ahead. From what I've been reading online, it seems like NYS DOL is still dealing with backlogs from the pandemic era, which might be contributing to the delays. I've been trying to stay patient but it's hard when bills are piling up. Has anyone tried reaching out to their local assemblyperson or senator's office? I heard sometimes they can help expedite things or at least get you a status update.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed my claim 18 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for that determination letter. The "under review" status is driving me crazy! I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some update. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though. It sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, especially if there are no complications with your claim. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to panic yet. The layoff situation should work in your favor since it's not a voluntary quit. I'm trying to remind myself that no news isn't necessarily bad news - they're probably just working through a backlog. Hang in there!

Check if you qualify for any other programs like SNAP or temporary assistance while you're job hunting. It's not unemployment but it's something to help with bills.

I'm in a similar boat - benefits running out soon and still searching. One thing I found helpful was contacting local workforce development centers (One-Stop Career Centers) in your area. They often have resources for people whose UI benefits are ending, including job placement assistance and sometimes connections to other support programs. The staff there usually knows about any state or federal extension programs that might become available. Also worth checking if you qualify for any retraining programs that might come with extended support while you learn new skills. Hang in there - this process is really stressful but you're not alone in dealing with it.