NYS Department of Labor - does unemployment end when you get a job or do I need to notify them?
Just accepted a job offer that starts next Monday and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do about my unemployment benefits. Do they automatically stop when I start working or do I need to call NYS Department of Labor to tell them? I've been collecting for about 6 weeks and don't want to mess anything up or get in trouble for overpayments. My last weekly claim was filed yesterday before I got the job offer.
14 comments


Emma Wilson
You need to report it on your next weekly claim when you certify. There's a question about returning to work and you just answer yes and provide the start date. Don't file any more weekly claims after your last day of unemployment. NYS Department of Labor won't automatically know you're working unless you tell them.
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Javier Torres
•So I should still file my weekly claim this week but report that I'm starting work Monday? Want to make sure I do this right.
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QuantumLeap
yeah you gotta tell them or they'll keep paying you and then want it all back later trust me learned that the hard way
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Malik Johnson
Congratulations on the job! Yes, you must report your return to work on your weekly certification. If your last day of unemployment is this Sunday and you start work Monday, you would file your weekly claim for this week and indicate your return to work date. After that, you stop filing weekly claims. If you don't report it and keep collecting benefits while working, NYS Department of Labor will eventually find out through quarterly wage reporting from employers and you'll face an overpayment demand.
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Isabella Santos
•What if the job doesn't work out? Can you restart your claim or do you have to file a whole new application?
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Malik Johnson
•If you lose the job within your benefit year, you can usually reopen your existing claim by filing a weekly certification. You don't need to file a new application unless your benefit year has expired.
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Ravi Sharma
I had such a hard time getting through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about this exact situation. Kept getting busy signals and getting hung up on after waiting forever. Finally used claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent who explained everything clearly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call myself.
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Javier Torres
•Thanks, might check that out if I run into any issues. Right now it seems straightforward enough though.
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Freya Larsen
Make sure you keep track of exactly what you report because sometimes their system glitches and doesn't record things properly. Screenshot everything when you file your final claim showing you reported the return to work date.
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Carter Holmes
Definitely report it on your next weekly claim - there's usually a specific question about starting work where you'll enter your start date. Once you report returning to work, that should be your final claim. Don't stress too much about it, the system is designed to handle this situation and as long as you're honest about your work start date you'll be fine. Good luck with the new job!
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Ava Kim
•This is really helpful, thank you! I was getting worried about doing something wrong but it sounds like the process is pretty straightforward. Just to confirm - I file my weekly claim this week, report Monday as my start date, and then I'm done with unemployment claims after that?
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Malik Thomas
•@Carter Holmes Exactly right! You file your weekly claim for this week, report Monday as your return to work date, and that s'your final claim. After that you stop filing. The system will automatically stop your benefits once you report the work start date. Just make sure you re'accurate with the date and you ll'be all set. The process really is more straightforward than it seems at first!
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Zainab Ahmed
Just went through this same situation last month! You absolutely need to report it when you file your weekly claim. There should be a question asking if you've returned to work - answer yes and put in your Monday start date. That will be your final claim. Don't worry too much about the timing since you got the offer after filing yesterday's claim - just be accurate on your next (and final) certification. The key thing is being honest about when you actually start working. Congrats on the new job!
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Nia Harris
•Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who just went through the same thing. I was definitely overthinking it - sounds like as long as I'm honest about the start date on my next weekly claim, everything should work out fine. Really appreciate everyone's help here, this community is so supportive!
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