Wait so if it said 'reversed' that would be good for us? I'm dealing with my own appeal right now and want to know what to look for

I work as a paralegal and deal with unemployment appeals regularly. Just to clarify the terminology for everyone - when an appeal decision says "affirmed," it means the administrative law judge upheld (agreed with) the original Department of Labor determination. So unfortunately, your appeal was denied. However, unsafe working conditions can be tricky to prove - you typically need contemporaneous documentation like written complaints to supervisors, safety violation reports, witness statements, or medical records if you were injured. If you have additional evidence that wasn't considered in your hearing, the Appeal Board might be worth pursuing. The 30-day deadline is strict though, so don't wait if you're going to appeal.

One thing to keep in mind is that you need to have worked at least 2 quarters in your base period and earned a minimum amount to qualify. For 2025, you need at least $2,600 in one quarter and total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your high quarter wages. So with your $52k salary you should definitely meet the requirements, but it's good to double-check especially if you had any gaps in employment during your base period.

Just went through this process myself last month! The $504 maximum is correct for 2025. One tip - when you file your claim online, they'll show you exactly what your benefit calculation will be based on your reported wages before you submit everything. That way you can see if it matches what you're expecting. Also, don't forget that you can collect benefits for up to 26 weeks in NY (though that might change depending on unemployment rates). The whole process was way easier online than I expected it to be.

Just to add - if your employer owes you back wages when they filed bankruptcy, that's a separate issue from unemployment. You might be able to file a claim with the bankruptcy court for unpaid wages, but that doesn't affect your UI eligibility at all. Two completely different things.

I'm in a similar situation - my company just announced they're filing Chapter 7 (complete liquidation) next month and we're all getting laid off. Reading through these responses is really helpful! Quick question for those who've been through this - did you need any special documentation from the company about the bankruptcy filing itself, or was the standard layoff notice sufficient for NYS DOL? I want to make sure I have everything ready when I file my claim.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST CONTRACTORS! Companies do this on purpose to avoid paying unemployment taxes and then workers get screwed when there's no work. File the claim and FIGHT the classification if you have to.

You should definitely file a claim even as a 1099 contractor. New York has been cracking down on misclassification lately, especially in construction. The key test is whether you had control over your work or if they controlled when, where, and how you did it. If they set your schedule, provided tools, and dictated your methods, that sounds more like an employee relationship regardless of what the paperwork says. The Department of Labor will investigate and make a determination. Even if you don't qualify for regular UI, there might be other programs available. Don't let the 1099 classification discourage you from applying.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago with a $3,100 overpayment. Here's what I learned the hard way: definitely go with registered mail AND take photos of the check/money order before sealing the envelope. I also included a cover letter stating exactly what the payment was for and my claim number. One thing nobody mentioned yet - call their overpayment unit BEFORE you send it to confirm the exact amount they're expecting. Sometimes there are additional fees or interest that have accrued since the original notice was sent. The last thing you want is to underpay and have them come back asking for more. Also, send it early in the week (Monday or Tuesday) so it doesn't sit in their mailroom over a weekend. Government offices can be slow to process weekend deliveries.

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now ($2,850) and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's advice, I'm planning to go the registered mail + money order route. One additional tip I learned from my experience with other government agencies: when you call to confirm the amount before sending, ask them to email you a confirmation of what you discussed. Sometimes having that email trail can save you if there are any disputes later about what was agreed upon. Also, if anyone is wondering about timing - I called the overpayment unit yesterday and they told me it typically takes 2-3 weeks for mailed payments to be processed and reflected in their system once received. So don't panic if you don't see it updated immediately online.