If you're having trouble accessing NYS Department of Labor historical data or need to speak with someone about unemployment statistics, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Much easier than trying to call directly during busy periods.

Another major factor to consider is seasonal economic patterns - certain industries like tourism, agriculture, and retail see predictable unemployment spikes during off-seasons. NYS Department of Labor data typically shows these cyclical patterns alongside the more dramatic economic event-driven spikes. Also, don't overlook the impact of major corporate bankruptcies or large-scale plant closures - these can create sudden, localized unemployment surges that really stand out in the data.

Been through this twice now. Keep filing, report income accurately, and save copies of everything. When the contract ends, your benefits should resume at the full amount automatically. Just make sure you're still meeting job search requirements during the contract if NYS Department of Labor requires it.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year with a 4-week consulting gig. The advice here is spot on - definitely keep filing your weekly claims and report every dollar you earn. What helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track my contract earnings each week so I could report accurately. The partial benefit calculation worked in my favor since the contract paid less than my full weekly benefit amount. One thing to note: make sure you understand if your contract work affects your job search requirements. In my case, I still had to log job search activities even while working the contract. The whole process was much smoother than I expected once I got into the routine of accurate reporting.

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to change my tax withholding settings last year. If you're having issues reaching them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made dealing with the phone system so much easier.

Just to add - if you didn't have taxes withheld and you're getting substantial unemployment benefits, you might want to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid owing a big chunk at tax time. I learned this the hard way when I was on unemployment for 6 months.

just be super careful with this stuff... the government doesnt mess around when it comes to benefit fraud and if they think youre gaming the system they will come after you hard

I went through something similar last year when I was transitioning back to work after a work-related injury. The key thing is that unemployment benefits require you to be "able and available" for work, which it sounds like you are since your doctor cleared you for light duty. When you file your weekly claims, you'll need to report your workers comp payments - they may reduce your unemployment benefit amount, but it doesn't automatically disqualify you. I'd recommend calling the unemployment office early in the morning (around 8 AM) when the lines are less busy, or try their online system to get specific guidance for your situation. Make sure to keep all your medical documentation showing you're cleared for work.

Wait so there's really no annual limit? That seems weird because I thought there was some kind of cap on total benefits you could collect in a year. Maybe I'm thinking of something else though.

Just wanted to add that when you reapply, make sure to report all your work and wages from your temporary job accurately. NYS DOL will verify this with employers anyway, so being upfront about everything helps avoid delays. Also, if you're eligible to reopen your existing claim from January, that's usually faster than filing a brand new application. You can check your benefit year end date by logging into your my.ny.gov account - it should show when your current benefit year expires.