The WORST part about this whole system is how they don't make it clear what you're supposed to do! Like seriously, they should have better information about partial work and reporting requirements right there when you file your weekly claim. Instead we're all just guessing and then getting in trouble for doing it wrong.

To clarify the process: when you report work on your weekly claim, NYS Department of Labor will reduce your benefits but not eliminate them entirely if you're under the earnings threshold. For every $1 you earn over $504, your benefits are reduced by $1. If you earn less than $504, you can still receive partial unemployment benefits. The key is ALWAYS reporting the work, regardless of how little you earned or whether it was cash/under the table. Unreported work is what gets you in trouble, not the work itself.

Just wanted to add - if your appeal gets denied at the first level, you can appeal again to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. Don't give up after the first appeal if you truly believe you had good cause to quit. The whole process can take months but it's worth fighting for if you have solid documentation.

I went through a similar appeal process last year and wanted to share what worked for me. Beyond the HR complaints and documentation that others mentioned, also gather any evidence of how the hostile environment affected your work performance or health - doctor visits, therapy sessions, etc. The NYS Department of Labor examiner in my case was particularly interested in proof that I made reasonable attempts to continue working despite the conditions. Also, when you write your appeal statement, be very specific about dates, incidents, and how each violation created an impossible work situation. The more detailed timeline you can provide, the better your chances. Good luck with your appeal!

been there! you should definitely try to contact child support enforcement directly to work out a payment plan before they start garnishing. sometimes they'll reduce the amount if you can show financial hardship

I went through this exact situation last year. The garnishment can start pretty quickly once they have your employment info, and NYS DOL automatically complies with child support orders. My advice: call the child support collection unit ASAP (before they start garnishing) and ask about setting up a voluntary payment plan. If you can show you're actively job searching and demonstrate hardship, they might agree to a lower monthly amount instead of taking 50-60% of your unemployment. Also keep detailed records of your job search activities - it can help your case. The key is being proactive rather than waiting for them to start taking the money.

Just want to add that your PIN is different from your my.ny.gov password. The PIN is specifically for the phone certification system. Don't make the same mistake I did and spend an hour trying to use the wrong number!

I went through this same situation last month! If it's been over a week and you haven't received the PIN letter, definitely call the Tele-Cert line that Liam mentioned. When you do get through, they can verify your identity and either give you the PIN over the phone or expedite a new letter. Also, make sure to check with your post office - sometimes mail gets held up there. Don't stress too much about missing your certification deadline - as long as you're actively trying to resolve the PIN issue, you should be able to backdate your certification once you get it sorted out.

I'm so sick of NY unemployment's terrible tech. How can a state with this much tax revenue have such a pathetic system? We deserve better than this garbage. Other states have actual functioning websites and clear communication!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Certified on Sunday, usually get paid by Tuesday/Wednesday, and nothing has shown up yet. My benefit year is good until August so that's definitely not it. Really frustrating because I have bills due and was counting on that payment. Has anyone heard if there's a system-wide delay this week or if we should be worried about our individual accounts? I'm hoping it's just a processing delay and not something that requires me to spend hours trying to get through on the phone.