This sounds like it could be legitimate! I went through something similar last year where my benefits increased unexpectedly. It turned out that NY unemployment had received additional wage data from my previous employer that wasn't included in my original calculation. They automatically recalculate benefits when they get more complete wage information, which can result in higher weekly payments and increased maximum benefit amounts. That said, I'd definitely recommend getting confirmation from an agent just to be safe - I know it's nearly impossible to get through by calling normally, but like others have mentioned, services like claimyr.com can help you actually connect with someone. Better to verify now than deal with potential overpayment issues later!

I actually just went through something very similar! My weekly benefit jumped from $380 to $445 about a month ago with no explanation. I was paranoid it was an error too, but after finally getting through to someone (took forever), they explained that they do periodic recalculations based on updated wage data from employers. Apparently my previous job had submitted some corrected wage information that bumped up my benefit calculation. The agent confirmed it was legit and I didn't need to worry about paying anything back. Still nerve-wracking when it happens out of nowhere though! I'd definitely try to get confirmation just for peace of mind - even though the phone system is a nightmare.

Make sure your employer gives you all the right paperwork when they lay you off. Sometimes companies try to make it seem like you quit or got fired for performance issues to avoid their unemployment insurance rates going up. Document everything and keep copies of any layoff notices or communications about the reduction in force.

Hey Ellie, I went through this same situation last year and wanted to share a few tips that helped me. First, don't wait until your last day to gather your documents - start collecting pay stubs, your Social Security card, and employment records now while you still have access to everything. The NYS DOL website has a helpful checklist of what you'll need. Also, if your company offers any severance package, make sure you understand how that might affect your unemployment benefits timing. Some severance payments can delay when your benefits start. The good news is that retail workers definitely qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements, and 8 months should be enough work history. Hang in there - the process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not too bad once you get started.

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to report wage information for a former employee's claim. Spent hours on hold trying to reach someone. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that connects you directly to unemployment agents by phone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call the regular number.

Don't forget you also have to pay into the disability benefits fund if you have employees in NY - that's separate from unemployment tax but also required

Wait, what about if you're collecting disability? I thought you could get both but maybe I'm wrong about that?

Another important disqualifier that hasn't been mentioned is if you're receiving severance pay - depending on how it's structured, it might delay or reduce your benefits. Also, if you were working under the table or getting paid in cash without proper tax reporting, you might not have enough documented earnings to qualify. And just to add to what others said about students - you can claim benefits if you're willing to drop out or reduce your course load to accept suitable work, but if you're not available because of class schedules, that could be a problem. The key thing is always being "able, available, and actively seeking work.

Just checking in - any progress with your claim? Were you able to reach anyone?

This is such a common issue with NYSDOL and it's incredibly frustrating! I went through something similar last year where they had completely wrong wage information. A few things that helped me: 1. When you speak with the wage investigation unit, ask them to send you a copy of the wage records they have on file from each employer - sometimes you can see exactly what's missing or incorrect. 2. If you worked for multiple employers during your base period, make sure ALL of them properly reported your wages. I found out one of my part-time jobs never submitted their quarterly reports. 3. Document every phone call - date, time, who you spoke with, and what they said. This helped when I had to escalate further up the chain. The good news is that once they actually investigate, it usually gets resolved pretty quickly. The wage investigation process is much more thorough than just having a regular rep look at your uploaded documents. Hang in there!