Can I file unemployment two claims at the same time in NYS?
I'm confused about whether you can file unemployment two different ways or have two claims going. My situation is complicated - I was working part-time at a restaurant and also doing some freelance graphic design work. The restaurant laid me off last week but I still have some freelance projects. Can I file unemployment two separate claims or does it all go under one? I don't want to mess this up and get in trouble with NYS Department of Labor. Has anyone dealt with multiple income sources when filing?
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Emma Davis
You can only have ONE active unemployment claim at a time with NYS Department of Labor. You'll file a single claim and report ALL your income sources on your weekly claims, including any freelance work. The part-time freelance income will reduce your weekly benefit amount but won't disqualify you completely as long as you meet the work search requirements.
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Javier Morales
•So I report the freelance income even though it's irregular? Some weeks I might make $200, other weeks nothing at all.
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Emma Davis
•Yes, you must report ALL income for the week you earn it, even if it's irregular. NYS Department of Labor will calculate your partial benefits based on what you report each week.
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GalaxyGlider
I tried to figure this out last year and it was so confusing! The my.ny.gov system only lets you have one claim anyway. Just make sure you're honest about all your work because they cross-reference with tax records.
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Malik Robinson
Had a similar situation when I was laid off from my main job but still had a small side business. The key is being totally transparent about all income sources when you file your initial claim AND on every weekly certification. If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to clarify your specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get answers about reporting multiple income sources correctly.
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Javier Morales
•Thanks! I'll check that out. The phone lines are always busy when I try to call NYS Department of Labor directly.
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Isabella Silva
just file one claim and report everything, its not that complicated
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Ravi Choudhury
This whole system is ridiculous! They make it so confusing and then penalize you if you make a mistake. I had income from three different sources when I filed and it took WEEKS to sort out the adjudication because they kept asking for more documentation.
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Freya Andersen
•That sounds really stressful! At least you got it sorted out eventually though.
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