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Just want to add that when you do report your Instacart earnings, make sure you're tracking your expenses too (gas, car maintenance, etc.) for tax purposes. The income you report to NYS DOL should be your gross earnings before expenses, but you'll want those expense records when tax time comes around since you'll likely be filing as a 1099 contractor. Also, keep detailed records of what you earned each week - screenshots of your Instacart earnings, dates, amounts. This will make your weekly certifications much easier and protect you if there are ever any questions later.
This is really helpful advice about keeping detailed records! I hadn't thought about the tax implications yet. Quick question - when you say report gross earnings to DOL, does that mean before Instacart takes their service fee, or after? Like if a customer paid $50 for groceries and Instacart paid me $35 after their cut, do I report $50 or $35?
Hi Miguel! I see you've started a post but it looks like the content didn't come through. As someone new to this community, I'm also navigating the NY unemployment system and would be interested to hear what you wanted to share or ask about. Feel free to add more details when you get a chance - this community seems really helpful for supporting each other through the process!
My brother did this and got his benefits no problem. The voluntary part doesn't matter - what matters is WHY the layoff happened. If it's because the company needs to reduce headcount, you're good. Just document everything!
I actually just went through the NYS Department of Labor website and their handbook specifically mentions that voluntary layoffs are eligible for benefits as long as the separation is due to "lack of work" on the employer's part. The key is that you're not quitting your job - you're accepting an offer to be laid off because the company needs to reduce staff. I'd recommend calling the Department of Labor directly at 1-888-209-8124 to confirm your specific situation, especially if your severance package has any unusual terms. Also make sure to file your claim as soon as your last day of work, don't wait!
That's really helpful information about the handbook! I didn't know they had specific guidance on voluntary layoffs. Quick question - does the severance package timing affect when you can start collecting benefits? Like if I get 2 months severance pay, do I have to wait until that runs out to file my claim?
Hey Oliver, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress - I was in the exact same position about a year ago and I know how terrifying that 26-week deadline feels. The anxiety is absolutely overwhelming. While NY unfortunately doesn't have automatic extensions anymore, I wanted to share what helped me get through this rough patch: **Immediate action items:** • Apply for SNAP benefits RIGHT NOW if you haven't - it takes 2-3 weeks to process so every day counts • Call your local 211 helpline for emergency assistance programs in your area • Contact temp agencies like Adecco and Kelly Services - they sometimes have same-week placements **Bridge income while job hunting:** • Seasonal hiring is perfect timing right now - retailers and shipping companies are ramping up for holidays • Try gig work like Instacart or DoorDash for quick cash flow • Look into remote customer service jobs - companies like LiveWorld often hire quickly **Job search tips that worked for me:** • Update your LinkedIn and post that you're actively job searching - former colleagues can be your best resource • Set up job alerts on multiple sites, not just Indeed • Call companies directly after applying online - shows real initiative The hardest part is definitely the mental stress. Set small daily goals (like 3 applications, 2 networking calls) to stay productive without getting overwhelmed. I ended up finding an even better job than the one I lost, though the journey was scary. You're being smart by asking for help proactively - that mindset will get you through this. Hang in there! 💪
Noah, this is such helpful and encouraging advice! I really appreciate you sharing your experience and breaking everything down into actionable steps. You're absolutely right about applying for SNAP immediately - I've been putting it off but clearly I need to stop procrastinating and get that application in today. The timing with seasonal hiring is something I hadn't fully considered but makes perfect sense. I'm definitely going to reach out to those temp agencies you mentioned, especially knowing they might have same-week placements. Your LinkedIn networking success story is really motivating too - I've been hesitant to reach out to former colleagues but hearing that it led to an even better job gives me the push I need to swallow my pride and start making those connections. The daily goal setting approach sounds much more manageable than trying to tackle everything at once. Thanks for the reminder that being proactive is actually a good sign - sometimes it's hard to see that when you're in the thick of the stress! 🙏
Hey Oliver, I completely understand the panic you're feeling right now - I went through this exact same situation about 5 months ago and it was honestly one of the most stressful times of my life. That 26-week cliff is absolutely terrifying. Unfortunately, NY doesn't have automatic extensions available right now, but there are definitely some strategies that can help you bridge this gap: **Immediate steps:** • Apply for SNAP benefits TODAY if you haven't already - the processing time is 2-3 weeks so don't delay • Call 211 for local emergency assistance programs and food banks • Hit up multiple temp agencies like Kelly Services, Adecco, and Randstand - they can sometimes place you within 24-48 hours **Quick income options:** • Seasonal hiring is perfect timing right now - Target, Amazon fulfillment centers, and UPS are all hiring for peak season • Gig work like Instacart, DoorDash, or Uber can provide immediate cash flow while you job search • Check local hospitals for support roles (housekeeping, food service) - they tend to hire quickly **Job search optimization:** • Update your LinkedIn profile and start reaching out to former colleagues - networking really does work • Set up job alerts on multiple platforms, not just Indeed • Apply directly on company websites after seeing job postings elsewhere The mental health aspect is huge too - try setting small daily goals (3 applications, 1-2 networking calls) to stay focused without getting overwhelmed by everything at once. I know it feels impossible right now, but I actually ended up finding a better opportunity than my original job. You're being proactive by asking for help, which shows you have the right mindset to get through this. Keep us updated - you've got this! 💪
Avery Flores
Just wanted to add another option that worked for me when I couldn't find the Payment Summary section that others mentioned. If you go to your NY.gov account and look for "Correspondence" or "Documents" (sometimes it's called "My Inbox"), there might be payment notifications that were automatically generated when you received each payment. These usually have a "Print" or "Download" option and show the payment details in an official format. They're not as comprehensive as a full payment summary, but if you need something quickly for your landlord, you can print multiple individual payment notifications to show your payment history. I found these were easier to locate than navigating through all the different payment menus, and they still have the official NYS DOL formatting that landlords typically accept.
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Jacob Lewis
•This is a really smart workaround! I never thought to check the Correspondence section for payment notifications. I just looked and found individual payment notices there that I can print out. While it's not as convenient as one comprehensive document, having these official notifications with the NYS DOL letterhead definitely looks legitimate for rental applications. Thanks for sharing this alternative - it's perfect for when the website navigation is being impossible to figure out. Each notification shows the payment date, amount, and has all the official formatting a landlord would want to see.
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Derek Olson
I just went through this same frustrating process last week! What finally worked for me was logging into ny.gov, going to "Unemployment Services," then "UI Online Services," and looking for "Payment and Deduction Statement." This creates an official PDF that shows all your payments with dates, amounts, and the NYS DOL letterhead - exactly what landlords want to see. The tricky part is that it's buried in the menu and easy to miss. If you can't find it there, try calling the unemployment customer service line at (888) 209-8124 early in the morning (around 8 AM) when hold times are shorter. They can email you an official payment statement usually within 24 hours. I know it's a pain, but don't give up - the document you need definitely exists, it's just hidden in their confusing website structure!
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Aisha Abdullah
•@Derek Olson This is super helpful! I ve'been trying to navigate that website for days and kept getting lost in all the different menus. Just to make sure I m'looking in the right place - when you say UI "Online Services, is" that a separate section from the main Unemployment "Services menu," or is it a subsection within it? I want to make sure I don t'waste more time clicking around the wrong areas. Also, have you found that the Payment "and Deduction Statement shows" tax withholdings if you opted for them? My landlord mentioned they might want to see that information too.
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Kiara Fisherman
•@Aisha Abdullah UI "Online Services is" a subsection within the main Unemployment "Services menu" - so you ll'click on Unemployment "Services first," then look for UI "Online Services as" one of the options in that section. And yes, the Payment "and Deduction Statement will" show tax withholdings if you opted for federal or state taxes to be withheld from your benefits. It breaks down the gross payment amount, any taxes withheld, and your net payment amount, which is really helpful for rental applications since it shows your actual income after taxes. This comprehensive breakdown is one reason why landlords often prefer this official statement over just seeing the deposit amounts in your bank account.
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