Just be super careful about this. My cousin got in trouble because she didn't report some small payments from her etsy shop and they made her pay back like $2000 in benefits. The penalties are no joke.

I went through this exact situation last year when I started doing some freelance web design while collecting benefits. The most important thing is to be completely transparent - report EVERY dollar you earn, even if it's just $20 for a small project. I kept a detailed spreadsheet of all my business activities and earnings to show I was being honest. Also, make sure you can prove you're still actively job searching - I kept screenshots of job applications and emails with potential employers. The NYS DOL really does check this stuff, so don't risk it. Better to have reduced benefits than no benefits at all.

NYS Department of Labor offices operate Monday-Friday, typically 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. However, the online system is accessible 24/7 for weekly claims, checking claim status, and uploading required documents. If you specifically need to speak with an agent and can't call during business hours, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to NYS Department of Labor representatives. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works.

The whole system is so outdated anyway. Why can't they just have extended hours like other government services? Some of us have jobs and can't call during their precious 9-5 window.

The detection timeline depends on when your employer reports wages to the state. Some employers report new hires within days, others might take the full 20 days they're allowed. Then there's quarterly wage matching. Bottom line - don't risk it, always report work immediately on your weekly claim.

I work in HR and can confirm that we're required to report new hires to the state directory within 20 days, but most companies do it much faster through automated systems. NYS also gets quarterly wage reports from all employers. The cross-matching happens regularly, not just once a year. I've seen people think they're safe for months only to get hit with massive overpayment demands. Even if you only worked one day and earned $50, report it - the penalties for not reporting can be way more than what you'd lose in benefits.

The 26 week thing is true but honestly the whole system is designed to discourage you from using it. They make the job search requirements more and more ridiculous, the website crashes constantly, and don't even get me started on trying to reach anyone by phone. I burned through my 26 weeks mostly fighting with their system instead of actually job hunting.

same boat here! just started collecting last month too. good luck with the job search, hopefully we both find something soon before the 26 weeks runs out

Guys I just had a similar issue last week and i wnated to add that if your waiting for a call back make sure your phone isn't blocking unknown numbers. NYSDOL calls show up as unknown and I missed their call twice because of that lol. And they don't leave voicemails either which is super annoying

I've been in a similar situation and what finally worked for me was using multiple strategies at once. First, try the Claimyr service that @Klaus Schmidt mentioned - it really does work and saved me from getting disconnected constantly. Second, while you're waiting for that, definitely reach out to your assembly member's office like @Yuki Tanaka suggested. I called mine and they had someone from DOL call me back within 48 hours. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready - claim number, correspondence reference numbers, and a clear summary of your issue written down. The agents can fix things quickly if you have everything organized. Don't give up - the system is frustrating but there are ways to get through!