just to add - you can also make quarterly estimated tax payments if you dont want to do the withholding thing. some people prefer that so they have more control over the timing

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been really helpful! Just to clarify - when you elect the 10% withholding through NYS Department of Labor, does that get sent directly to the IRS or do I need to do anything else? Also, if my usual tax bracket is lower (like 12%), would it make sense to withhold less than 10% or is it better to err on the safe side and maybe get a refund?

Thanks everyone. I'm going to log into my.ny.gov tonight and compare my payment history with the 1099-G. Better to get this sorted out now than deal with problems later.

I went through this same situation last year! One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records throughout the year. When you're checking your payment history on my.ny.gov, also look for any weeks where you had partial earnings reported - those can sometimes cause confusion on the 1099-G amounts. Also, if you had state taxes withheld too (which is separate from federal), make sure you're accounting for that correctly on your NY state return. The good news is that if you did have the 10% federal withholding, you're probably in decent shape tax-wise unless you had other significant income during the year.

also keep all your paperwork! you'll need the 1099-G and any records of what you had withheld when you file your taxes

Just wanted to add that if you're working part-time while collecting unemployment, that income will also affect your tax situation. I was working a few hours a week at a retail job while on unemployment and forgot to factor that in when estimating my taxes. The 10% withholding from NYS Department of Labor might not be enough if you have other income sources. You might want to calculate your expected total income for the year and see if you need to make additional quarterly payments or increase your withholding at your part-time job if you have one.

been there! mine got denied first time but approved on appeal. just make sure you appeal within the 30 days or you're SOL

Don't panic - denials are actually pretty common and most can be successfully appealed if you have a legitimate case. Since you mentioned it was a company downsize, that should definitely qualify you for benefits. The key is acting fast on that 30-day appeal deadline. I'd recommend calling the NYS DOL first thing tomorrow morning to get the specific reason for denial, then start gathering any paperwork you have from your employer about the layoffs. If you can't get through by phone, the online appeal through ny.gov is usually faster than mailing forms.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple to understand what you can and cant do when your on disability?? i hate having to navigate all this bureaucracy when your already dealing with health issues

Make sure you report any disability payments when you file your weekly claim if you do end up being eligible. NYS Department of Labor needs to know about all income sources, even if they don't affect your benefit amount. Being upfront about everything will save you headaches later if they do an audit of your claim.