Final important tip: Document absolutely everything during this process. Keep records of: 1. All case/reference numbers from ID.me, FTC, and both state unemployment offices 2. Names and ID numbers of every representative you speak with 3. Dates and times of all communications 4. Screenshots of any error messages or account status pages 5. Copies of all emails and correspondence This documentation becomes crucial if your case needs escalation or if you face any issues with backpay once your identity is verified. In 2025, NY unemployment is required to provide full backpay from your eligibility date once your identity is confirmed, but having this documentation makes the process much smoother.

This is such a common problem now - identity thieves are specifically targeting unemployment systems because they know people need those benefits urgently. A few additional things that helped me when I went through this: 1. If you have a smartphone, download the ID.me app - it's often faster than the website for scheduling video calls 2. Consider filing a complaint with your state attorney general's office too - they track patterns of unemployment fraud 3. Check your credit reports immediately at annualcreditreport.com - if someone filed unemployment in CA with your info, they might have opened other accounts 4. Keep your weekly NY certifications going even while this gets resolved - you don't want to miss any filing deadlines The good news is that NY has gotten much better at handling these cross-state fraud cases in 2025. Most people I know who followed the steps others mentioned here got resolved within 2-3 weeks. Hang in there!

I'm in a similar situation and found that the NY DOL website has a helpful earnings calculator tool that shows exactly how much your benefits will be reduced based on your part-time earnings. It's buried in their resources section but really useful for planning ahead. Also, make sure to report your gross earnings (before taxes) when filing your weekly claim, not your take-home pay - that's a common mistake that can cause issues later.

Just went through this exact scenario a few months ago! The math works out like PixelPioneer explained - at $250/week you'd keep about $384 in unemployment benefits plus your $250 earnings, so around $634 total. That's actually better than just collecting the full $420 unemployment alone. One thing to watch out for though is that you need to report your earnings for the week you actually performed the work, not when you get paid. So if you work Monday-Friday but get paid the following week, report it for the week you worked. Also keep all your pay stubs - NYS DOL sometimes does audits and you'll want documentation. The part-time work won't hurt your claim as long as you stay honest about reporting it!

Same boat here! I'm also trying to figure out how much I'd get if I lose my job. Did you end up using that calculator someone mentioned?

Just want to add that the $504 maximum weekly benefit amount mentioned earlier is correct for 2025, but keep in mind that's the gross amount before any taxes are taken out. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld (10%) and state taxes (2.5%) from your benefits, or you can receive the full amount and handle taxes when you file your return. Also, if you're making $850/week now, make sure you have enough work history - you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period to qualify for benefits at all.

Don't forget about the additional assessments! There's also a 0.075% assessment for the disability benefits fund that gets added on top of your UI rate. So if you're at 4.1% for UI, you're actually paying 4.175% total on that wage base.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! As someone who's been through this process, I'd recommend also checking if you qualify for any of the new employer incentives NYS offers. Sometimes they have programs that can reduce your initial rate or provide credits. Also, make sure you register with NYS Department of Labor as soon as you hire your first employee - there are penalties for late registration. The online system for quarterly reporting isn't too bad once you get used to it, but definitely keep detailed records of all wages and hours from day one.

I'm in a similar situation working at a resort in the Catskills. One thing I learned is that you can actually call the NYS Department of Labor's Seasonal Worker hotline (518-457-2827) - it's separate from the main UI line and has shorter wait times. They specifically handle questions about seasonal employment and reasonable assurance. Also, for the job search requirement, I've found that applying to year-round positions at ski resorts (like maintenance or administrative roles) counts toward your search activities and shows you're genuinely looking for work during the off-season.

As someone who's worked seasonal jobs for several years, I can share what I've learned about the NYS system. The written reasonable assurance is absolutely crucial - if your employer hasn't given you anything in writing about being rehired, you should be eligible for benefits. Regarding job searches, I know it feels pointless during summer for ski work, but I've found success applying to outdoor recreation companies, summer camps, and even retail positions that show I'm genuinely available for work. The key is documenting everything properly - keep screenshots of your applications and make notes about each job you apply for. Also, don't forget that you need to certify weekly that you're able and available to work, which means you can't just disappear for a month-long vacation. The system may seem frustrating, but it does work if you follow the rules correctly.