You should report your "active hours" when certifying for UI benefits while working for Uber or DoorDash. Active hours are the time you're actually performing paid work (actively delivering food or transporting passengers), not just the time you have the app open waiting for orders/rides.
The distinction is important because NYSDOL wants to know how many hours you're actually working and earning money. If you reported all dash/online hours (including time just waiting), you'd be overstating your work hours, which could unnecessarily reduce your benefits.
When certifying, calculate and report:
- Hours actively completing deliveries/rides
- All earnings from these gigs (before expenses)
Keep detailed records of your active work time and earnings each day. The NYSDOL may request documentation if there are questions about your certifications. The Uber/DoorDash apps typically provide reports showing your active time versus total online time, which can help you accurately report your hours.
Just to add to Aisha's excellent response - make sure you're also keeping track of your mileage and any business expenses related to your gig work. While you report your gross earnings to NYSDOL, you can deduct legitimate business expenses on your taxes later.
Also, if you're working multiple gig apps simultaneously (like having both Uber and DoorDash running), be careful not to double-count overlapping active hours. Only count the time you're actually completing deliveries or rides, not the time you have multiple apps open waiting for requests.
The key is being consistent and accurate with your reporting. NYSDOL audits are random but thorough, so having good records from day one will save you headaches later if you're selected for review.
This is really helpful advice about tracking expenses and avoiding double-counting hours! I'm new to gig work while on unemployment and hadn't thought about the complexity of running multiple apps. Quick question - when you mention keeping mileage records, should I track all miles driven while the apps are on, or only the miles during active deliveries? Also, is there a recommended app or method for tracking this efficiently? I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly from the start.
Aisha Patel
You should report your "active hours" when certifying for UI benefits while working for Uber or DoorDash. Active hours are the time you're actually performing paid work (actively delivering food or transporting passengers), not just the time you have the app open waiting for orders/rides. The distinction is important because NYSDOL wants to know how many hours you're actually working and earning money. If you reported all dash/online hours (including time just waiting), you'd be overstating your work hours, which could unnecessarily reduce your benefits. When certifying, calculate and report: - Hours actively completing deliveries/rides - All earnings from these gigs (before expenses) Keep detailed records of your active work time and earnings each day. The NYSDOL may request documentation if there are questions about your certifications. The Uber/DoorDash apps typically provide reports showing your active time versus total online time, which can help you accurately report your hours.
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GalaxyGlider
Just to add to Aisha's excellent response - make sure you're also keeping track of your mileage and any business expenses related to your gig work. While you report your gross earnings to NYSDOL, you can deduct legitimate business expenses on your taxes later. Also, if you're working multiple gig apps simultaneously (like having both Uber and DoorDash running), be careful not to double-count overlapping active hours. Only count the time you're actually completing deliveries or rides, not the time you have multiple apps open waiting for requests. The key is being consistent and accurate with your reporting. NYSDOL audits are random but thorough, so having good records from day one will save you headaches later if you're selected for review.
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Liam O'Donnell
•This is really helpful advice about tracking expenses and avoiding double-counting hours! I'm new to gig work while on unemployment and hadn't thought about the complexity of running multiple apps. Quick question - when you mention keeping mileage records, should I track all miles driven while the apps are on, or only the miles during active deliveries? Also, is there a recommended app or method for tracking this efficiently? I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly from the start.
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