Make sure you're reporting ALL earnings when you file your weekly claim, even if it's cash work or just a few hours. NYS Department of Labor cross-references with employers and not reporting can trigger an overpayment investigation. The formula is: Weekly Benefit Rate minus (Earnings minus 25% of Weekly Benefit Rate) = Your payment amount.

Just want to add that the earnings calculation can get tricky if you have variable hours each week. I learned the hard way that you need to report earnings for the week you actually worked, not when you got paid. So if you worked Monday-Friday but got paid the following Tuesday, those earnings count for the week you worked. Also, if your part-time earnings consistently put you over the benefit amount, NYS Department of Labor might eventually close your claim assuming you're no longer unemployed. Keep track of your hours and earnings carefully!

I just want to add that while this experience was terrible, don't let it discourage you from following through with your unemployment claim. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples in every organization, but most DOL workers are trying to help. If you need to speak with someone again about your actual claim issues, you can request to speak with a different agent if you get someone who isn't being professional.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that experience - no one should be treated that way, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of unemployment. It's really encouraging to see your update that you were able to file a formal complaint and get a case number! For anyone else reading this thread who might face similar issues, here are a few additional resources that might help: - You can also contact your local Assembly member or State Senator's office - they often have constituent services staff who can help navigate DOL issues - The New York State Ombudsman's office (ombudsman.ny.gov) handles complaints about state agencies if you don't get satisfaction through the DOL's internal process - Document everything: dates, times, names, what was said - this creates a paper trail that's invaluable if you need to escalate Harold, please don't give up on your claim because of one terrible agent. You've earned those benefits and deserve to receive them. The fact that you stood up for yourself and filed a complaint shows real courage, and hopefully it will prevent other people from having the same awful experience.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about your specific situation, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself when I had questions about my base period wages.

Just wanted to add that you should definitely file your claim as soon as possible since there's a waiting period before benefits start. New York has eliminated the unpaid waiting week, but there can still be processing delays. Also, make sure you have all your employment documentation ready - W-2s, pay stubs, and any separation paperwork from your employer. The $75k salary you mentioned shouldn't be an issue at all for eligibility, and you'll likely qualify for close to the maximum weekly benefit amount.

just apply for both dont overthink it. worst case they say no and you reapply

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just filed for unemployment last week and was worried about the health insurance gap. From what I've learned, you can definitely get both - they're separate programs with different eligibility criteria. The unemployment benefits do count as income for Medicaid, but unless you're getting the maximum weekly benefit, you should still qualify. I'd recommend applying for Medicaid ASAP since it can take a few weeks to process, and you don't want any gap in coverage. Also, if you do end up over the income limit for regular Medicaid, you might still qualify for Essential Plan or subsidized marketplace insurance. Good luck with everything!

Make sure you save a screenshot or print out the confirmation page after you set up direct deposit. I didn't do this and then when my payment was late I had no way to prove I had set it up correctly. Turned into a whole mess with customer service.

I just went through this process last week! One tip that helped me - after you find the "Manage Payment Options" section that Emily mentioned, make sure to verify your address is correct too. My direct deposit got delayed because my mailing address in the system was outdated, even though the banking info was right. The system does a verification check and if anything doesn't match up it can cause delays. Also, keep your confirmation email - I screenshot mine just in case there are any issues later.