NY unemployment asking for proof of Instacart gig work - what counts as valid documentation?

This is happening to a lot of gig workers in 2025. For NY unemployment, you need to submit both 1099s AND proof of payments. If you don't have your 1099, you can request a transcript from the IRS by filling out Form 4506-T. For payment proof, download all those Instacart payout screens, take screenshots, and submit them together with bank statements showing the deposits. Make sure to highlight the deposits from Instacart on your statements. You have 10 business days to respond to their request, so act quickly.

i had the same thing happen last monht with uber! i ended up just sending them everything i could find - screenshots of the app, bank statements, even emails from uber about rides. they just want to see you weren't lying about working there i think

THEY'RE DOING THIS TO EVERYONE RIGHT NOW!!! I swear the DOL is just trying to claw back as much money as possible. They asked for my proof from TWO YEARS AGO even though they already verified it before!!! The system is rigged against workers, especially gig workers. They'll probably reject whatever you send them anyway. Sorry to be negative but I'm just so fed up with how NY treats us.

Here's exactly what you need to do: 1. Contact the IRS for your 2019 tax transcript using Form 4506-T (free) or get it online through their Get Transcript service 2. Pull all your bank statements showing Instacart deposits 3. Submit screenshots of the app payment history 4. If you have any emails from Instacart about your work or payments, include those 5. Write a cover letter explaining your situation and list all documents you're submitting Don't worry too much - they're doing verification sweeps, but if you actually worked there and can show some proof, they're usually reasonable. They just need to check their boxes. Submit everything together through your NY.gov account under the document upload section.

Thank you everyone for the responses! I'm feeling a bit better now. I'm going to try requesting the tax transcript today and compile all my bank statements showing the deposits. I really appreciate the detailed advice. Still worried but at least I have a plan now.

ya the bank statements r super important. my cousin didnt have his 1099 either but he had all his bank deposits and they accepted that. just make sure u circle the instacart payments so they can see them easily

btw has anyone else noticed that instacart is TERRIBLE at responding to these requests?? i had to contact them 5 times before i got anything back!

Quick update on something I forgot to mention: If you filed your taxes with any tax preparation service (TurboTax, H&R Block, etc.), you might be able to log in and download copies of your old 1099s directly from there. Much faster than waiting for the IRS transcript. Also, when you submit to NYSDOL, make sure you note your claim ID number on every document and the fact that this is for the employment verification request. This helps ensure your documents get to the right department.

Just for anyone else who finds this thread with similar issues - I had success using Claimyr to get through to NYSDOL. After trying for over a week with no luck, I got connected in about 25 minutes. The agent I spoke with was super helpful and actually told me they have a specific protocol for handling gig worker documentation. They said even if your documentation isn't perfect, they have ways to cross-reference with other sources. Don't panic if you don't have everything - just submit what you have with a detailed explanation.

I wanted to update everyone - I managed to find my old 1099-MISC form from TurboTax (thanks for that suggestion)! I've also compiled three months of bank statements showing regular Instacart deposits and took screenshots of all my earnings history from the app. Going to submit everything tomorrow with a detailed cover letter explaining my work history. I'm also going to try that Claimyr service to speak with an agent directly just to make sure I've covered all bases. Will let you know how it goes once I hear back from NYSDOL. Thanks again for all the help - this forum has been a lifesaver for my anxiety!

Just want to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to Instacart directly, try reaching out through their Twitter/X support account (@InstacartCares) - they tend to be more responsive there for documentation requests. Also, don't forget to check if you have any old emails from Instacart in your inbox - things like weekly earnings summaries, onboarding confirmations, or payment notifications can all serve as additional supporting evidence. Even if they seem minor, every piece helps build your case. The key is showing a consistent pattern of work activity during that time period.

Just went through something similar with Grubhub documentation! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet that matched up my app earnings with my bank deposits by date - made it super easy for the NYSDOL reviewer to see everything lined up. Also, if you're missing any months of bank statements, most banks let you download statements going back several years through their online portal for free. Don't stress too much - they really just want to verify you weren't making fraudulent claims. The fact that you actually worked and have some documentation puts you in a much better position than people who were completely fabricating employment.

Hey Giovanni! I just went through this exact same situation with NYSDOL about my DoorDash work from 2019. Here's what worked for me: I created a timeline document showing all my gig work by month, then attached bank statements highlighting the deposits, screenshots from the app, and my 1099s. The key thing they told me when I finally got through to an agent was to include a detailed letter explaining any gaps in documentation and why. For example, if you can't find certain months of bank statements, explain that in your cover letter. Also, make sure to submit everything as one complete package rather than sending documents separately - they apparently have issues tracking multiple submissions. The whole process took about 3 weeks once I submitted everything properly. Don't stress too much - they're really just checking that you weren't making false claims, and it sounds like you have solid proof of actual work. Good luck!