Got letter about NYS Department of Labor unemployment audit - what is an unemployment audit?
I received this official looking letter from NYS Department of Labor saying my unemployment claim is being selected for an audit. I've been collecting benefits for about 8 weeks now and thought everything was going fine. The letter mentions they need to verify my job search activities and work history but doesn't really explain what an audit actually means. Is this normal? Should I be worried? I've been doing my weekly claims correctly and keeping track of my job searches like they told me to. Has anyone else gone through one of these audits?
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Andrew Pinnock
An unemployment audit is basically NYS Department of Labor's way of double-checking that you're eligible for benefits and following all the rules. They randomly select claims to review - it's not necessarily because you did anything wrong. They'll want to see your job search log, verify your work history, and make sure you're able and available for work. Just gather all your documentation and respond by their deadline.
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Ella Lewis
•That's a relief! I was panicking thinking I somehow messed up my claim. Do they usually find problems or is it just routine verification?
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Brianna Schmidt
I went through this last year. They asked for my job search records going back 6 weeks, proof of my previous employment, and had me fill out some forms about my availability. The whole process took about 3 weeks but my benefits continued while they reviewed everything. Just be thorough with your documentation.
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Alexis Renard
•Did they contact your previous employer during the audit? I'm worried about that part.
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Brianna Schmidt
•They might verify employment dates and wages but they don't usually get into details about why you left unless there's a specific issue. Just make sure your separation reason matches what you originally reported.
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Camila Jordan
ugh this happened to me too!! the letter was so confusing and when I tried calling NYS Department of Labor I couldn't get through to anyone. spent hours on hold just to get hung up on. super frustrating when you need answers about something this important
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Andrew Pinnock
•I had the same problem trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor about my audit questions. Actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to unemployment agents. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Might be worth checking out if you can't get through the regular way.
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Tyler Lefleur
Audits are just another way for them to make your life difficult when you're already struggling. They act like we're all trying to cheat the system when most of us just want to get back to work. Make sure you have EVERYTHING documented because they'll use any excuse to cut off your benefits.
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Madeline Blaze
•That's a bit harsh but I get the frustration. The system does seem designed to trip people up sometimes.
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Max Knight
same thing here, got the audit notice last month and was totally confused about what they wanted
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Sarah Ali
I just went through this audit process a few months ago and wanted to share what helped me. The key is organization - I created a simple spreadsheet with all my job applications, dates, company names, and contact info. Also kept screenshots of online applications and copies of any email confirmations. The NYS Department of Labor auditor was actually pretty reasonable and just wanted to verify I was actively looking for work. The whole thing was resolved in about 2-3 weeks. Don't stress too much, just be thorough with your records and respond promptly to any requests they make.
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Christopher Morgan
•This is really helpful advice! I'm definitely going to create a spreadsheet like you suggested. Quick question - did they ask for any specific timeframe of job search records, or did they want everything from when you started claiming benefits? I want to make sure I have the right documentation ready.
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