Everyone blaming the unemployed when the real problem is how CONFUSING they make the whole tax system on purpose!! 😤

Same thing happened to me! Got hit with a $920 bill for my 2021 benefits. I was SO confused because I swear the news made it sound like ALL unemployment was tax-free during the pandemic. Turns out it was just 2020. I ended up calling the tax department (took forever to get through) and they confirmed it's legit. The agent told me they've been getting hundreds of calls about this exact issue. I'm doing a payment plan now - $85/month for 12 months. Still sucks but at least it's manageable. Don't ignore it though, the penalties add up fast!

Thank you all so much for the help! I can finally relax a bit knowing those fields are normal and don't mean I'll automatically owe something. I'll keep certifying weekly and I took screenshots of everything just in case. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this!

I went through the exact same panic when I filed my claim a few months ago! Those overpayment and penalty fields showing $0 had me convinced I was already in trouble before I even got my first payment. But everyone here is absolutely right - it's just how the system is built. Think of it like having empty boxes labeled "parking tickets" and "late fees" on your dashboard even when you've never gotten a ticket. The boxes exist in case they're needed, but empty boxes don't mean you're getting a ticket! Keep doing what you're doing with the weekly certifications and you'll be fine.

Glad you were able to find the information! I'd recommend communicating with your landlord in writing (email or certified letter) about this discovery, so you have documentation of informing them. If they're uncooperative, contact the Legal Aid Society or Housing Court Answers for free legal assistance with addressing the situation.

Wow, this whole thread has been so educational! I'm dealing with a similar situation in Queens where my landlord keeps saying he never received any rental assistance payments, but I'm pretty sure I remember getting some kind of notification months ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like checking the ERAP portal should be my first step. It's really frustrating how common this seems to be - landlords either not being transparent about receiving assistance or in some cases apparently trying to collect twice. Thanks to everyone who shared resources and phone numbers, I'm definitely going to start making some calls tomorrow!

One important thing to note: Once you do get your hearing scheduled, make absolutely sure you attend it! If you miss the hearing, it's extremely difficult to get it rescheduled and your appeal will likely be dismissed. They usually give you very little notice too - sometimes just a week or so. Make sure your address is up to date in the system and check your mail daily.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my appeal in mid-October and still waiting. What's really frustrating is that I can't even get basic information about where my case stands in the queue. The online portal just shows "appeal received" with no additional details or estimated timeline. I've tried calling multiple times but either get disconnected after hours on hold or told they can't provide any status updates. Meanwhile, bills keep piling up and I'm burning through what little savings I had. The whole system feels designed to wear you down until you just give up. Has anyone had any luck getting updates through the online message center in their NY.gov account?

Just wanted to update - I did exactly what you suggested and reported my work start date on my weekly claim. The system automatically ended my benefit year and sent me a confirmation. No issues at all!

I was in the exact same situation a few months ago! The key is to file your weekly claim one more time and report your first day of work and any earnings from that week. The system will automatically close your claim once you report the work. Don't worry about accidentally collecting benefits you're not entitled to - as long as you report your work honestly when you file, you'll be fine. I was also paranoid about overpayments but everything worked out smoothly when I followed this process.