This is really helpful info! I'm in a similar situation and was confused about the rules. One thing I want to add - make sure you report your earnings for the week you actually perform the work, not when you get paid. I made that mistake early on and it caused some confusion with my claim. The NYS DOL website has a good FAQ section about partial unemployment that breaks down all the scenarios if you want more details.

One more thing to keep in mind - if your freelance work is inconsistent week to week, you'll need to report different amounts each time you certify. I do some consulting work and some weeks I earn $50, other weeks $120. Just be prepared for your unemployment payment to fluctuate accordingly. Also, save all your records of what you earned and when you worked because NYS DOL can ask for documentation during their periodic reviews. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling to find paperwork later!

I wish I'd known about that recovery option! I ended up having to use Claimyr after days of failed calls. Was connected to an agent in about 25 minutes who manually updated my info. The $15 I paid was well worth it considering I would have lost a whole week's payment otherwise. But it's always better if you can solve it yourself for free like you did!

Glad to see you got this resolved @Anastasia! For anyone else reading this thread who might face similar issues in the future, it's worth noting that ID.me also has a backup authentication method using your Social Security number if the phone number recovery doesn't work. You can find this option under "Alternative verification methods" on their recovery page. Also, pro tip: once you regain access, consider adding a backup email to your ID.me account and writing down which email you used somewhere safe. I learned this the hard way after going through the same panic when I couldn't access my account during a critical payment period.

Just want to add that you also need to make sure you're still meeting the job search requirements even while doing freelance work. NYS Department of Labor requires proof that you're actively looking for full-time employment. Keep track of your job applications and interviews in case they audit your claim.

I'm in a similar situation - working part-time retail while collecting benefits. One thing I learned is that you need to report your work hours AND earnings for each day you work, not just the weekly total. The NYS Department of Labor website has a specific section about partial benefits that breaks down the calculation pretty clearly. Also make sure you're marking yourself as available for work on the days you're not working your part-time gig. The system can be really picky about how you report things, so being detailed is key.

For restaurant workers specifically, there aren't special unemployment programs but you might want to look into workforce development programs through the city. Some offer training for other industries while you're collecting benefits. Just make sure any training programs you enter are approved so they don't interfere with your weekly claim certifications.

Just want to add that you should also check if you qualify for any city-specific assistance programs while you're on unemployment. NYC has programs like SNAP (food assistance) and emergency rental assistance that can help stretch your benefits further. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) website has info on what you might be eligible for. Also, keep all your documentation organized - unemployment requires a lot of paperwork and you don't want to miss payments because of missing forms. Good luck with your job search!

just file and see what happens tbh. worst they can do is say no right? i worked part time when i was on unemployment and it was fine

I work for NYS Department of Labor and can confirm that you can definitely file for unemployment benefits while working part-time! The key things to remember: 1) Report ALL earnings on your weekly certification - even if it's just $1, 2) You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit rate without any reduction to your UI benefits, 3) After that threshold, benefits are reduced but not eliminated, and 4) You must still be available for full-time work and actively job searching. With your part-time income of $180/week, you'll likely still receive a significant portion of your unemployment benefits. Don't let the part-time job stop you from filing - many people are in similar situations and the system is designed to help workers transitioning between jobs.