NY unemployment phone interview coming up - what to expect when I've been working for Uber Eats?

You ABSOLUTELY have to tell them about your current work situation. They will find out anyway through tax records and employer reporting. If you don't disclose it, they could charge you with fraud which means you'd have to pay everything back plus penalties. I had a phone interview last October and they just asked about my work history, why I left my job, and current employment status. Be honest - it's better to get less benefits legitimately than risk getting hit with fraud charges.

I was in your exact situation last spring! After trying for WEEKS to reach someone on the phone about my partial benefits question (I was doing DoorDash), I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at NY unemployment in like 45 minutes. Talking to a real agent got my benefits situation sorted out so fast - best decision ever. They have this system that calls for you and then connects you when a real person picks up. Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

You need to report ALL income. If youre making any money with Uber Eats or your old job, you have to tell them. When you certify for benefits it specifically asks if you made any money that week. If your working part time, they'll just reduce your benefit amount, not eliminate it completely (unless you make too much). They have a partial unemployment calculator somewhere on the ny unemployment website.

I just had one of these calls last month! They basically wanted to confirm that I was still eligible. Be ready with dates of employment, the reason you initially lost your job, and how much you're currently earning with Uber Eats (weekly average is fine). Since you're doing gig work you'll need to report that - it doesn't disqualify you but it reduces your weekly benefit amount. Have your paperwork organized and ready before the call. They'll probably ask if you're available and actively looking for full-time work too.

So here's the deal with NY unemployment and gig work: it gets complicated. When you work for apps like Uber Eats, you're considered self-employed. During my interview, they wanted weekly income breakdowns and proof of work. MAKE SURE you're keeping track of all your earnings and expenses (gas, car maintenance, etc.) because those factor in too. Also, working at your old job under a new company name might raise eyebrows - be prepared to explain that situation clearly. They'll want to know if it's the same management/ownership just with a new name or if it's genuinely a different company.

Look, the phone interview is basically just to determine if you qualify for partial benefits while working part-time. As long as you make less per week than your weekly benefit rate plus the $504 threshold, you can still get something. Be 100% honest about your current income though - they WILL cross-check with the IRS and Uber's reporting.

I work for instacart part time and went through this exact process in April. The interview was pretty chill actually. The DOL agent just asked about my work schedule, approximate weekly earnings, and why I left my previous full-time job. Had my benefits adjusted based on my part-time income - still getting partial unemployment. Just have your ducks in a row regarding dates and income amounts. Write it all down before the call so you don't get flustered.

Dealing with ny unemployment is such a nightmare. I had a phone interview scheduled, waited all day, and they never called. Had to start the whole process over again. When they finally did call two weeks later, it was just basic questions about why I wasn't at my last job anymore and what I was doing for income now. Make sure your phone is charged and you're somewhere with good reception!

I'm an accountant who deals with this stuff all the time for clients. Here's what you need to know for your NY unemployment interview: 1. ALWAYS disclose all income sources. The system is designed to catch unreported income, and the penalties can be severe - including having to repay benefits plus fines and possible criminal charges. 2. For gig work like Uber Eats, you'll need to report gross earnings weekly, but you can deduct legitimate business expenses (mileage is the big one). 3. Working at your former employer under a new name might look suspicious, so be ready to explain exactly how that transition happened and why it's legitimate. 4. Bring documentation: payment statements from Uber Eats, pay stubs from your part-time job, and any correspondence about the company name change. 5. NY has partial unemployment benefits - making some money doesn't necessarily disqualify you completely. 6. If you're having trouble reaching someone by phone (which is extremely common), I've had multiple clients have success using a service called claimyr.com that gets you connected to a real person at DOL. Definitely worth checking out if you keep hitting dead ends trying to call directly. Most importantly, be truthful. The system will eventually catch discrepancies, and it's far better to get reduced benefits than face an overpayment situation later.

whatever you do, DONT LIE. my cousin tried to hide his side job and got hit with a $7k repayment demand plus penalties. they have ways of figuring this stuff out.

I remember my phone interview from last year - super basic stuff. Just be prepared for questions about why you're not employed full-time, what steps you're taking to find work, and any income you're currently earning. They mainly want to confirm you're not trying to game the system. Honesty is definitely the best policy with unemployment.

The thing no one ever tells u about these interviews is that you need to emphasize that you're AVAILABLE and LOOKING for full-time work. Even if you're doing Uber Eats, they need to know it's just temporary while you search for permanent employment. Keep track of places you've applied and be ready to discuss that.

i wish someone had warned me that these calls sometimes come from BLOCKED or UNKNOWN numbers. Missed mine becuz i never answer those, had to wait 3 more weeks for a reschedule 😭

Man, the ny unemployment system is held together with duct tape and wishful thinking. I had THREE interviews scheduled and canceled before one actually happened. When it finally did, it was literally 10 minutes long and they just verified the info I had already submitted online. Just be patient and persistent.

Just went through this last month. They were mostly concerned about why I wasn't at my previous employer anymore. Since you're working for Uber Eats, be ready to explain your weekly hours and earnings. They'll likely reduce your benefits based on what you earn (there's a formula they use). Better to get reduced benefits than commit fraud by not reporting income though!

Fun fact: when they calculate your benefits with gig work, they look at NET income, not gross. So if you make $500 with Uber Eats but spend $150 on gas, your reportable income is $350. Keep ALL receipts related to your gig work - gas, maintenance, portion of phone bill used for the app, etc.