I'm in a similar situation and just went through this process! As an independent contractor, your eligibility really depends on whether you have ANY W2 income in your base period. Since you mentioned having a part-time W2 job about a year ago, definitely check if that falls within your base period (first 4 of last 5 completed calendar quarters). Even if you're not sure, apply anyway - the worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised. Also, with your current $170/week from remaining clients, you'd likely qualify for partial benefits if you do have that W2 history. The key is being completely honest about all your income when you certify weekly. Don't let the confusing website discourage you - many people think they won't qualify but end up getting benefits. Good luck!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Independent contractor for about 8 months, lost my main client, still had some small work coming in. Here's what I learned: definitely apply even if you're unsure about qualifying. The system is confusing but there are more pathways than you'd think. Since you had that W2 job a year ago, calculate your base period carefully - it might still count. I ended up qualifying for partial benefits even while doing some freelance work. The key is reporting everything honestly during weekly certifications. Also, don't get discouraged if the initial application seems overwhelming - I almost gave up halfway through but I'm so glad I didn't. You've got nothing to lose by applying and potentially a lot to gain. The worst case scenario is they say no, but at least you'll know for sure rather than wondering "what if.

Anyone else find it insane that we're required by law to report this income but they make it nearly impossible to get the forms we need? Make it make sense!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Collected unemployment starting March 2020 and the 2020 1099-G is nowhere to be found online. From reading all these responses, it sounds like claimyr.com might be worth trying since so many people have had success with it. Has anyone tried the workforce center option that was mentioned? There's one near me and if I can avoid the phone nightmare that might be easier. Also really appreciate the tip about contacting your assemblyperson - never would have thought of that! This whole system is so frustrating when you're just trying to file your taxes correctly.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 10 days ago and still showing as pending. It's nerve-wracking when you're already stressed about being unemployed! From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty typical for NYS Department of Labor to process initial claims. I've been doing my weekly certifications even though my claim is still pending, which seems like the right move based on everyone's advice. Trying to stay patient but it's tough when you need answers about your financial situation!

I'm about a week and a half into waiting myself after filing my initial claim. Reading through all these responses is actually pretty reassuring - sounds like 2-4 weeks is the normal range even though it feels like forever when you're waiting! I've been checking my.ny.gov obsessively but trying to remind myself that no news isn't necessarily bad news. Definitely going to keep up with my weekly certifications as everyone recommends. It's frustrating that the system doesn't give you more visibility into what's happening behind the scenes, but at least we're all in this together!

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to get more specific information about your situation, I used a service called Claimyr recently when I couldn't get through their phone lines. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It helped me finally talk to an actual person about my claim status instead of just getting busy signals all day.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. While the unemployment eligibility might not work out due to the base period requirements others mentioned, don't give up! You might also want to check with your local Department of Social Services about emergency assistance programs - they sometimes have temporary help for families facing sudden job loss. Also, many libraries offer free career services like resume help and job search assistance, which could be really valuable as you get back into the workforce after being out for a few years. The job market has changed a lot, so updating your skills through free online courses (like those on Coursera or Khan Academy) might help too. You've got this!

The whole unemployment system is broken anyway. High unemployment just makes it worse because they don't hire enough staff to handle all the claims. I've been waiting 6 weeks for my adjudication to clear and can't get anyone on the phone at NYS Department of Labor. Meanwhile bills keep coming and they act like it's no big deal to make people wait indefinitely.

High unemployment definitely creates a domino effect - more claims filed means longer processing times, but it can also trigger federal extensions when unemployment stays elevated for extended periods. New York's current unemployment rate is around 4.1% as of late 2024, which is actually relatively low compared to pandemic levels. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your base period wages (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters), so the unemployment rate doesn't directly impact that. However, during severe economic downturns, you might see additional federal programs like Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation that extend benefits beyond the standard 26 weeks. Keep certifying weekly even while your claim is pending - you can get backpay for those weeks once it's approved.