Can you go to jail for collecting unemployment while working in NY? Scared about my situation

Yes, unemployment fraud is a serious crime in New York, but jail time typically depends on the amount involved and whether it's considered intentional fraud. For smaller amounts like yours, you're more likely facing repayment of overpaid benefits plus penalties rather than criminal charges. However, you absolutely need to contact NYS Department of Labor immediately to report the unreported income. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. They have a voluntary disclosure process that can help reduce penalties.

dude you need to calm down, they're not gonna throw you in jail for $180 a week lol. my cousin got caught not reporting like $3000 in cash work and he just had to pay it back with some extra fees. worst case you get disqualified from future benefits but prison is for the big fraudsters claiming in multiple states or using fake identities

I had a similar situation last year but came forward voluntarily after 3 weeks of unreported work. NYS Department of Labor made me repay the overpayment ($847) plus a 15% penalty, and I was disqualified from receiving benefits for 8 weeks. No criminal charges were filed because I self-reported and cooperated fully. The key is being proactive rather than waiting for them to discover it during an audit. I actually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent to discuss my situation - their video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI shows exactly how it works. Worth considering if you can't get through on your own.

OMG this exact thing happened to my neighbor! She was working part time at a grocery store and collecting UI at the same time. When they caught her she had to pay back like $2400 plus penalties and got banned from filing for benefits for a whole year. She didn't go to jail but it was a huge financial mess. You really should call them before they find out on their own because apparently the penalties are way worse if they discover it during an investigation.

The NYS Department of Labor unemployment system is SO BROKEN that they probably won't even notice for months if ever. I know people who've been doing this for years without getting caught. But if you're losing sleep over it then just report it and deal with the consequences. At least then you can move on with your life instead of constantly worrying about getting a letter in the mail.

Derek, I understand you're scared, but please don't panic. While unemployment fraud is taken seriously in NY, for the amount you're describing ($180/week for 8 weeks = roughly $1,440), criminal prosecution is unlikely if you come forward voluntarily. The state typically reserves jail time for large-scale fraud cases involving thousands of dollars or identity theft. Your best bet is to contact NYS DOL immediately and be completely honest about the unreported income. Yes, you'll likely have to repay the overpayment plus penalties (usually 15-25%), and you might face a temporary disqualification from future benefits, but this is much better than waiting for them to discover it. They have wage-matching systems that will eventually catch this. Document everything - dates you worked, hours, wages earned - and be prepared to provide this information. Consider speaking with an employment attorney if you're really worried, but most people in similar situations resolve this through repayment without criminal charges.

Derek, I went through something very similar about 18 months ago. I was collecting unemployment and picked up some gig work that I didn't report for about 6 weeks (around $200/week). The guilt and anxiety was eating me alive just like what you're describing. I finally called NYS DOL and explained the situation honestly. The representative was surprisingly professional about it - they didn't make me feel like a criminal or anything. I had to calculate all the unreported income, and they determined I received about $1,200 in benefits I wasn't entitled to. I paid back the $1,200 plus a 15% penalty ($180), so $1,380 total. They also disqualified me from benefits for 7 weeks, but no criminal charges were filed. The whole process took about 5 weeks to resolve once I reported it. The relief I felt after coming clean was incredible - I could finally sleep at night again. Trust me, the longer you wait, the worse the anxiety gets. Just bite the bullet and call them tomorrow. You're not going to jail over $1,440 in overpayments, especially if you self-report.

Derek, I completely understand the panic you're feeling right now - I've been there myself. A few years ago, I was in almost the exact same situation with unreported part-time work while collecting benefits. The fear of potential jail time was consuming me, but I want to reassure you that for the amounts you're describing, criminal prosecution is extremely rare. New York typically reserves criminal charges for cases involving intentional fraud of much larger amounts (think tens of thousands) or identity theft schemes. Your situation sounds like you made a mistake under financial pressure, not a deliberate scheme to defraud the state. Here's what I learned from my experience: call NYS DOL as soon as possible and be completely transparent. Yes, you'll face penalties and have to repay the overpayment, but voluntary disclosure almost always results in more lenient treatment than being caught during an audit. The representatives I dealt with were actually pretty understanding when I explained my circumstances honestly. Document everything - your work dates, hours, and wages - before you call. And please, stop losing sleep over this. Take action tomorrow, get it resolved, and you'll be amazed how much better you'll feel once it's behind you.