Same boat here. Got unemployment for 6 months last year and totally forgot about taxes. Had to pay $900 extra when I filed. This year I'm having 15% withheld just to be safe.

I'm in a similar situation and just found out about this tax issue. For those asking about getting the 1099-G form, you can access it online through the NYS Department of Labor website under "View & Print Your 1099-G" section. Also, I called them last week and they said you can request tax withholding at any time during your claim - it doesn't just apply to future payments, you can also make estimated quarterly payments to cover what you've already received. Don't panic, there are options to handle this!

Just file NOW. I've been through this system multiple times and every day you wait is money out of your pocket. The NYS Department of Labor website is pretty straightforward for filing your initial claim.

I went through this exact situation last year when I got laid off from my retail job. Everyone's right - file immediately! I waited 10 days thinking I had plenty of time and lost those benefits forever. NYS doesn't backdate to your last day of work, your benefit week starts when you actually submit the claim. The online application at labor.ny.gov is pretty user-friendly and you'll get a confirmation number right away. Don't make the same mistake I did - every day counts when it comes to your financial security.

Just wanted to say good luck with your job search! The combination of age discrimination and having to explain the retirement situation makes it extra challenging, but don't give up.

I went through something very similar when I was laid off at 64. You can definitely collect unemployment while receiving pension benefits - the key thing is proving you're actively seeking work. Keep detailed records of your job applications and interviews because they may audit your work search activities. Also, when you file your weekly certifications, be prepared to report your exact pension amount each week. The system will automatically calculate any offset. One tip: if your pension is substantial, it might reduce your UI benefits significantly, but even a partial benefit can help while you're job hunting.

The tax thing with unemployment is such a mess. They should make it clearer upfront that this is taxable income. I bet half the people collecting don't realize until it's too late.

I went through this exact same thing last year and it was a wake-up call. The good news is you caught it at 8 weeks - I didn't realize until I had collected for 6 months! Here's what I learned: definitely turn on withholding ASAP like others mentioned, but also consider opening a separate savings account and putting away an extra 15-20% of each payment since the 10% federal withholding won't cover state taxes. I used a simple rule - for every $100 in benefits, I'd save $20 in a "tax fund." It made tax season much less painful. Also, keep all your 1099-G forms organized - you'll need them for filing. Don't panic though, you're addressing it early enough to avoid a major surprise!

Have you tried calling the local office directly instead of the main number? Sometimes those are less busy

I've had some success calling the regional offices directly instead of the main line. You can find your local office number on the DOL website under "Find a Career Center" - just search by your zip code. The local offices usually have shorter wait times, though they can't help with everything. Also try calling during lunch hours (12-1pm) when fewer people are calling. I know it's frustrating but don't give up!