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I was struggling to reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor about a similar income reporting question for weeks. Kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold for hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to a real agent. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Literally got connected within 20 minutes and got my question answered. Might be worth checking out if you need to clarify anything with them directly.
The whole system is ridiculous. You're trying to work and support yourself and they make it so complicated to figure out what to report. I spent 3 hours on hold last week just to ask about reporting some gig work income and never got through to anyone. Meanwhile they expect perfect compliance or they'll come after you for overpayments. It's like they set you up to fail.
The system is designed to make it as hard as possible to get help when you need it most. I went through this same runaround when my benefits ended and it took MONTHS to get a straight answer about whether I could refile. By then I was already behind on everything.
I had a nightmare trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to clarify my situation when I was between categories. Spent weeks calling and getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me when I needed to verify my claim status.
This reminds me of when my cousin worked at a store that kept her on just to stand around during slow seasons. She called it 'fake work' but hey, she got partial benefits for months while looking for something better. The disguised unemployment thing is more about economic theory - in practice, if you're getting paid for hours, report those hours. NYS Department of Labor has seen it all.
Harper Thompson
Just make sure you show up on time and dress professionally even if it's by phone. I almost missed mine because I thought it was the next day. Also they record everything so don't ramble or get emotional even if the employer's lawyer says stuff that makes you mad.
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Carter Holmes
•Wait, there might be a lawyer there? I thought it would just be me and the judge.
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Sophia Long
•Your employer can have representation but many don't bother for appeal hearings. Don't worry about it - just focus on presenting your facts clearly.
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Caleb Stark
omg yes this!! i had to do an appeal too and it was SO stressful but i won! the main thing is dont let them make you feel bad about quitting. if your boss was really harassing you then you had good cause period. i wish i had saved more evidence though so definitely try to get those HR records if you can
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