just report everything and let them figure it out thats what i do

I was in a similar situation last year and can confirm what others are saying about the 1/4 rule. Just to clarify the math for you Oliver - with your $320 weekly benefit, you can earn up to $80 without any reduction. Since you're making $240 ($15 x 16 hours), they'll subtract the excess $160 from your unemployment check, so you'd get $160 from unemployment plus your $240 wages = $400 total per week. That's actually more than just the $320 unemployment alone! The important thing is to report your gross earnings for the exact week you worked, and don't stress too much - the system calculates it automatically once you input the correct information.

Sometimes i wonder if the real DOL and the scammers are playing good cop/bad cop 🤣 One is impossible to reach, the other won't leave you alone!

You did the right thing hanging up! That's 100% a scam. I've been dealing with NY unemployment for months and they communicate through your online account or official mail - never cold calls asking for personal info. The fact that they got pushy when you wanted to verify through official channels is the biggest red flag. Real government workers understand security concerns and will never pressure you like that. I'd definitely report that number to the FTC and maybe block it. Stay safe out there!

The confusion comes from the fact that during emergencies the federal government can create additional programs that run alongside state programs. Like during the pandemic there were federal programs with different rules than regular state UI. But for normal times, it's your state agency - in our case NYS Department of Labor - that handles everything from filing to appeals to job search requirements.

This is a great explanation thread! Just to add - the federal-state partnership also means that when you're looking for information, you'll see references to both federal laws (like the CARES Act or Federal Unemployment Tax Act) AND New York State specific policies. The NYS Department of Labor website is definitely your main resource, but understanding that federal framework helps explain why some rules seem universal while others are NY-specific. For example, the requirement to actively search for work is federal, but how many job contacts you need per week is set by New York State.

whatever you do dont wait to file!! i made that mistake and lost like 3 weeks of benefits because i thought i had to wait or something. file online as soon as you can

I went through this exact situation last year! With your hours and wage ($18/hour at 35 hours), you're looking at roughly $315 per week based on the formula they use. The key thing is they look at your highest earning quarter during your base period. Since you worked there for 2 years, you should have plenty of work history to qualify. Just remember to file your claim right away - you can do it online at my.ny.gov. Also keep track of all your job search activities because you'll need to report them when you certify each week. The whole process can take a couple weeks to get your first payment, so don't panic if it's not immediate. Good luck with your job search!

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Everyone here is giving you the right info - severance does NOT count as wages for establishing your claim eligibility. You need actual work history from before your layoff. BUT definitely file your claim right now, don't wait for severance to end! I made the mistake of waiting and lost out on a couple weeks of benefits. When you file, just be honest about your severance - report the amounts and dates. They'll process your claim based on your work history, but might delay payments until after your severance period ends (which sounds like next week for you). The good news is once severance ends, your benefits should kick in automatically if you're approved. The whole process is confusing but just get your claim filed ASAP!

Just to add another data point - I'm currently going through this exact same situation right now! Got laid off in January with a 2-month severance that just ended last week. Filed my claim right when I got laid off (even though I was getting severance) and they approved me based on my work history from before the layoff. The severance didn't count toward my base period wages at all, but it did delay my first payment until after it ended. Got my first unemployment payment this week and it was calculated based on my actual salary from my job, not the severance amount. So definitely file now - don't wait! The earlier you file, the sooner you'll be in the system and ready to receive benefits once your severance ends next week.