The unemployment system is so frustrating when you're dealing with health issues on top of everything else. They make it seem like you have to be 100% healthy to qualify for anything. Hope you figure out a solution that works for your situation.

I'm going through something similar right now. From what I've learned, you might want to look into Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) first if your employer offers it - that could protect your job while you're dealing with your health issues. For unemployment, the "able and available" requirement is really strict, but there are some exceptions. If you can do certain types of work with accommodations, document that with your doctor. Also, New York has Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) through the state that might be more appropriate than unemployment if you're unable to work due to illness. You can apply for TDI through the Workers' Compensation Board, not the Department of Labor. It's worth exploring all your options before deciding which route to take.

has anyone tried the callback feature? i heard they were testing it in some areas

Just checking back - did you manage to get through? I'm curious if any of these suggestions worked for you.

I just went through this process myself about 6 months ago. The wait is definitely nerve-wracking! In my case, I received the written decision exactly 12 business days after my hearing. They sent it both by regular mail and updated my online account on the same day. One thing I wish someone had told me - if you win your appeal, make sure to check that all your back payments are calculated correctly when they process them. I had to call and get one week corrected because their system missed it initially. Hang in there, 6 days is still well within the normal timeframe!

I'm going through a similar situation right now - had my hearing 8 days ago and checking my online account obsessively! From what I've read in the NYS DOL handbook, they're supposed to issue decisions within 30 calendar days, but most people seem to get them within 2-3 weeks. One thing that helped my anxiety was setting up text alerts through the NY.gov website so I get notified immediately when there's any update to my claim status. Also, definitely keep filing your weekly certifications even while the appeal is pending - if you win, those weeks need to be on file for you to get the back pay. The waiting is brutal but you're still well within the normal timeframe. Fingers crossed we both hear good news soon!

UPDATE: I went to the career center this morning and got exactly what I needed! They printed a UI Monetary Benefit Determination letter showing my claim details including the end date of September 6th. Took about 45 minutes total with the wait. The staff was really helpful. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

For anyone else dealing with this, I just want to add that if you're in a time crunch like I was last month, you can also try contacting your local assemblyperson's office. They often have direct lines to state agencies and can help expedite document requests. I got my unemployment end date letter within 2 business days after their office made a call on my behalf. Worth trying if the career center is too far or if you're hitting roadblocks with the other methods!

I've been dealing with the same confusion with my small pottery business! After reading through all these responses and doing my own research, it's definitely NET income you should report. I made the mistake of reporting gross for my first few certifications and was basically cheating myself out of benefits I was entitled to. The way I think about it now - if I sell $500 worth of pottery but spent $300 on clay, glazes, kiln firing, and shipping, I only actually "earned" $200 that week. That's what unemployment cares about - your actual profit, not your total sales. I finally got through to an agent last week (took forever calling directly) and she confirmed this is correct. She also mentioned that if you've been reporting wrong, you can usually get it corrected by explaining the confusion. The system really should make this clearer though - so many people are struggling with the same question! Keep detailed records of everything - receipts, materials costs, platform fees, shipping. If they ever audit you, you'll need to prove your expenses were legitimate business costs. Good luck with your Etsy shop!

I'm in a similar situation with my freelance graphic design work while on unemployment! After reading all these responses, I'm convinced it's NET income we should report. The confusion is real though - I called NY unemployment 4 times and got 3 different answers from different agents. What finally made it click for me was thinking about it like taxes. When you file as self-employed, you report your profit after business expenses on Schedule C, not your gross receipts. Unemployment should work the same way since they're both government programs looking at your actual earnings. I've been keeping a weekly spreadsheet tracking my income and expenses - client payments minus software subscriptions, equipment costs, home office expenses, etc. It's tedious but worth it for peace of mind. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you're reporting income in the week you actually DO the work, not when you get paid for it. I had a client pay me $800 for a project I completed 3 weeks earlier, and I almost reported it in the wrong week. The whole system is unnecessarily confusing but at least we're all figuring it out together! Good luck with your jewelry business - handmade Etsy shops are so much work but really rewarding.