What can I submit when NY unemployment asks for proof I don't have?

just send bank statements that show ur deposits from that job

I had a similar situation last month. They were asking for my 1099s but I never received them from a gig job I did. Called and called but couldn't get through to anyone at DOL to explain my situation. I was losing sleep over it!!! Ended up using the Claimyr service (claimyr.com) to actually get through to an agent. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE When I finally talked to someone, they told me I could submit alternate documentation including bank statements showing deposits, emails confirming assignments, or even text messages with my supervisor discussing work. The agent added notes to my file explaining my situation which apparently helps.

NY DOL actually accepts several alternative forms of documentation if you don't have the standard proof they initially request. Here's what you can submit instead: 1. Bank statements showing regular deposits from the employer 2. Tax returns that reference the employment (even if you filed late) 3. Email correspondence with your employer about your work 4. Letters from coworkers verifying your employment (with their contact info) 5. Any work ID or badge you still have 6. Social media posts or profiles mentioning your work there 7. Contract or offer letter if you still have it You should also submit a written statement explaining why you don't have the standard documentation. Be specific about the employer closing and your inability to contact them. If possible, include any news articles or public records about the business closing.

When I couldn't provide what they wanted, I ended up getting hit with an overpayment notice for $7,800. It was a NIGHTMARE. Had to go through the whole appeal process. Don't wait - be proactive about this! The bank statements are good but they're going to want to see something more official too. Any chance you filed taxes that year and can get a transcript from the IRS? That saved me.

I've worked for the unemployment system (not in NY but similar). Here's some insider perspective: they're mainly trying to verify that you actually worked where you said you did for fraud prevention. The documentation requirements aren't as rigid as they make it sound in the letters. What's most important is that you RESPOND by the deadline, even if your documentation is incomplete. A partial response is much better than no response. Also, call and speak with a claims specialist about your situation. They can add notes to your file indicating that you're making good-faith efforts to comply. This matters a lot in how your case is handled.

When they asked me for proof, I couldn't find ANYTHING!!! I literally tore my apartment apart looking for my W2s. I ended up finding an old employment verification letter from when I applied for my apartment. Sent that in along with screenshots of my email communications with my boss and it was accepted!! Don't give up - just send whatever you can find that shows you worked there. Even something small might be enough.

my cousin just went thru this and he just ignored it and they stopped asking lol but dont know if thats the best advice

Something else to try: contact your state's Department of Labor (not unemployment) to request wage records. Most states maintain these records for several years. They can provide certified copies of quarterly wage reports that your employer submitted, which is exactly the kind of documentation that unemployment is looking for.

am i the only one who thinks it's RIDICULOUS they demand all this paperwork years later?? like we already qualified once! why are they making us prove everything again?? the whole system is designed to be impossible to navigate so they can deny people!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm feeling much less panicked now. I've collected my bank statements showing the deposits, found some old work emails in my archive, and I reached out to my former supervisor who agreed to write a statement. I'm also requesting my tax transcript from the IRS today. Will try calling DOL tomorrow to explain my situation and see if they can add notes to my file. I'll update once I hear back from them.

I went through something similar when my employer went out of business during COVID. Here's what worked for me: I gathered everything I could find (bank statements, old performance reviews, even a company holiday party photo showing me at work) and submitted it all with a detailed cover letter explaining the situation. The key is to be proactive and honest. I also found my state unemployment insurance wage base report online - you can usually access this through your state's labor department website. It shows all the wages reported by your employers and is considered official documentation. Don't panic! As long as you respond by the deadline and show good faith effort to provide what you can, they're usually reasonable about accepting alternative documentation. The worst thing you can do is ignore it completely.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have any old health insurance or 401k statements that list your employer, those can also work as verification. I used an old benefits enrollment form when I was in a similar situation. Also, don't forget to check if your employer filed for bankruptcy - those records are public and can serve as proof that the business closed. You can search bankruptcy filings online for free. The combination of your bank statements plus a supervisor's statement should definitely be enough though. You've got this!

Hey QuantumQueen! I went through this exact nightmare last year when my previous employer went under and I had ZERO documentation. Here's what saved me: I contacted my old auto insurance company and requested a copy of my policy application from when I was working there - it had my employment info and salary listed! Also check if you have any old loan applications, rental applications, or even gym membership forms that might have your work info on them. The other thing that really helped was creating a timeline document with everything I could remember - exact dates I worked, my manager's name, what my duties were, even the address of the workplace. I included screenshots of Google Maps showing the business location and wrote up detailed explanations of why I couldn't provide each specific document they requested. DOL ended up accepting my bank statements + the insurance document + my detailed timeline. The key is showing them you're making every possible effort to comply. Don't let them intimidate you - there are always alternatives!