I had a similar situation earlier this year! Got a W9 from some graphic design work I did months before filing my claim. I was super paranoid about it too, but it really is just about their tax reporting requirements. The company needs to send you a 1099 at the end of the year and they need your info to do that. Since you already reported that freelance income when you filed your initial claim, you're completely covered. The NYS Department of Labor cares about when work was performed, not when you get paperwork about it. Just fill out the W9 and don't stress about it - your weekly certifications should continue as normal.

I went through something very similar a few months ago! Got a W9 for some consulting work I did way before I even applied for unemployment. I was freaking out thinking it would somehow flag my account or mess up my benefits. But like everyone else is saying, it's really just a tax form - the company needs it to report what they paid you to the IRS. Since you already included that $800 in freelance income when you filed your initial claim, you're totally in the clear. The timing is what matters to NYS DOL - you did the work in 2024 before filing, so it's not considered "work while claiming benefits." Just fill out the W9, send it back, and keep doing your weekly certifications like normal. Your benefits won't be affected at all.

Just went through this same process last month! Few things to add that helped me: 1. Download the NY Labor app if you haven't - makes certifying way easier than the website 2. Keep screenshots of your certifications just in case there are issues later 3. If you're getting the debit card, activate it immediately when it arrives - mine got locked because I waited too long 4. The waiting week thing confused me too but basically you certify for week 1 but don't get paid, then week 2 you get paid for both weeks Also heads up - sometimes the certification system goes down Sunday mornings so try certifying later in the day if you have issues. The phone system is usually more reliable than the website. Good luck! 🍀

Congrats on getting approved! 🎉 Just went through this exact same thing a few weeks ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me: The approval email means you're good to go - start certifying this Sunday! Don't wait for anything else. The system opens up Sunday morning but like others mentioned, it can be glitchy early on so maybe try around noon. About the waiting week - you'll certify for it but won't get paid. Then week 2 you'll get a double payment (waiting week + current week). After that it's just your regular weekly amount. Pro tip: Set up text/email alerts for your certification reminders. I almost missed a week because I forgot and that would've messed everything up. Also double check your bank info in the system if you want direct deposit. The debit card route takes forever and has fees like crazy. You can update payment info in the "Payments" section of your online account. The tax withholding thing - they automatically take out federal and state taxes unless you opt out. I'd recommend keeping it unless you want a big tax bill next year. You got this! The hard part (getting approved) is done 💪

I work with disability cases (not a lawyer just admin) and you're gonna have an uphill battle with the timing issue. But it's not impossible! Gather all your medical records showing when the disability started, any attempts at treatment, and documentation of why you couldn't file earlier (medical appointments, surgeries, whatever). Then you NEED to speak with an actual agent who can look at your specific situation.

I went through something similar - had a work injury that took months to properly diagnose and by the time I realized I couldn't return to my job, I thought I'd missed the window. Turns out NY has provisions for "good cause" delays, especially when medical issues are involved. The key thing is you need to show that your delay was due to circumstances beyond your control (which dealing with a new disability diagnosis definitely qualifies as). When you call, emphasize that you were overwhelmed with medical care and didn't understand your options at the time. Bring documentation showing your diagnosis timeline, treatment schedule, anything that shows you were dealing with a serious medical situation. Also mention you're already in the SSDI process - that actually helps show the severity of your condition. Don't let people discourage you about the timing - I've seen people get approved for unemployment even after long delays when they had valid reasons. Your disability diagnosis and the time it took to understand your new limitations is absolutely a valid reason. Just make sure you can work in SOME capacity when you file (even if it's different from your mechanic job) because that's the requirement for unemployment vs disability benefits. Good luck! 🙏

Your weekly benefit rate is calculated as 1/26th of your highest quarter earnings during your base period, up to the maximum of $504. The minimum weekly benefit is $104. So if your highest quarter was $6,800 like you mentioned, that would be about $261 per week before any partial earnings deductions. You'll also need to meet the work search requirements and file weekly claims to maintain eligibility.

The whole system is so frustrating! I qualified for like $180 a week which barely covers anything these days. Meanwhile my friend who worked construction gets the max $504. It's not fair how they calculate these things based on your previous job when some industries just pay less.

I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask this exact question! Their phone lines are always busy and I keep getting hung up on. It's so frustrating when you just need a simple answer about reporting requirements.

Just want to add that while 401k withdrawals don't affect your UI benefits, you should really consider if this is the best option. The penalties and taxes can be brutal, plus you're losing years of compound growth. Maybe look into hardship loans from your 401k first?