Just wanted to chime in as someone who works at a local One-Stop Career Center - we see this confusion A LOT! The NY DOL portal has gone through so many updates that even we sometimes have to hunt around to find where things moved. @Riya Sharma thanks for sharing that updated path - I'm going to pass that along to my colleagues so we can help folks more efficiently. One thing I always tell people is to take screenshots of each step when you successfully upload documents, just in case there are any technical glitches later. The system will usually give you a confirmation number too - definitely save that! And for anyone still having trouble, don't hesitate to visit your local career center. We're here to help and it's literally part of our job to navigate these systems with you.

This whole thread is exactly what I needed! I'm in almost the same boat - helping my grandfather with his NY unemployment appeal and have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out where to upload documents. I kept clicking around the old sections that everyone mentioned but couldn't find anything that worked. Just tried the new "More Online Services" > "Upload Documents" > "Appeal Documents" path that @Riya Sharma described and it worked perfectly! Got all 4 documents uploaded without any issues. For what it's worth, the file size limit seems generous now - I was able to upload a 3MB scanned PDF without any problems. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences, this was way more helpful than the official DOL website instructions!

Just wanted to add that unemployment benefits ARE taxable income, so make sure you report the full amount from your 1099-G on your tax return. A lot of people don't realize this and get surprised later.

For anyone still waiting on their 1099-G, I just wanted to mention that you can actually file your taxes without it if you keep good records. The IRS says you should report all unemployment income even if you don't receive the form. Just make sure to include the total amount you received - you can calculate this from your payment history in your unemployment account. But definitely still try to get the 1099-G since it will also show any federal taxes that were withheld, which you'll need for your tax return.

I'm also 17 and was wondering about this same thing! My hours got cut at my restaurant job and I wasn't sure if I could even apply. This thread is super helpful - it sounds like as long as you worked and paid taxes, age doesn't matter. Ryder, definitely file soon like others said. I'm going to look into this for my situation too. It's really cool seeing other young people taking charge of their finances and helping their families. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a caseworker with NYS Department of Labor and wanted to confirm what others have said - yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment at 17! Since you worked for 8 months with taxes deducted, you should meet the monetary eligibility requirements. When you file online at ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, employment dates, employer information, and reason for separation. The system treats all claimants the same regardless of age. One thing I'd emphasize is to be completely honest about your availability for work - since you mentioned you got your GED and can work more hours, that should work in your favor. Make sure to file your weekly certifications on time and keep detailed records of your job search activities. The process really is straightforward, and you've earned these benefits through your work contributions. Don't hesitate to reach out to the office if you have questions during the process!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my perspective as someone who recently went through a similar misconduct determination. What struck me about your situation, Monique, is that you were asking questions about a policy that "didn't make sense" - this actually shows you were being a conscientious employee trying to understand your job requirements. I had a comparable experience where my supervisor labeled my questions as "argumentative" when I was genuinely confused about a new procedure. The NYS DOL investigator specifically asked me whether I was trying to understand the policy or refusing to follow it, and that distinction was crucial to my approval. The fact that you had no prior disciplinary issues and were genuinely seeking clarification rather than being defiant puts you in a strong position. When they call for your fact-finding interview, emphasize that your questions came from a place of wanting to do your job correctly, not from any desire to challenge authority. Good luck - based on everything I've read here, you should have a solid case!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add some additional context that might help. The NYS Department of Labor specifically looks at whether your actions were "contrary to the employer's best interests" - and asking clarifying questions about confusing policies actually SERVES the employer's interests by helping ensure proper compliance. I went through a misconduct determination two years ago when my boss claimed I was being "uncooperative" for questioning a new safety protocol that seemed incomplete. The DOL ruling specifically noted that employees who seek clarification on unclear policies are demonstrating due diligence, not misconduct. They also consider the "reasonable employee" standard - would a reasonable person in your position have asked similar questions? Based on your description, absolutely yes. Make sure during your fact-finding interview to emphasize that you were seeking understanding to perform your job correctly, and mention your clean disciplinary record. The investigator will likely ask about your tone and approach, so be ready to explain that you were respectful and professional. You've got a really strong case here!

Ruby, I went through something similar last year. The key thing to remember is that gross misconduct has to be willful and serious - not just a one-time lapse in judgment during a stressful situation with a difficult customer. When you file your claim, make sure to explain the full context of what happened, including how the customer was behaving aggressively toward you. The adjudicator will consider whether your response was proportional to the situation. Even if your language was inappropriate, that alone might not rise to the level of gross misconduct if it was an isolated incident and you were being provoked. Document everything you can remember about the incident and any witnesses who saw the customer's behavior. You've got a good chance of getting your benefits approved.

I work for a legal aid organization that helps people with unemployment appeals, and I want to add some important information here. In New York, gross misconduct requires three elements: (1) the act was deliberate and willful, (2) it violated a reasonable workplace rule or expectation, and (3) it substantially prejudiced the employer's interests. Using strong language during a heated customer interaction - while unprofessional - often doesn't meet this high bar, especially if you have an otherwise clean employment record. When you file your claim, emphasize that this was an isolated incident in response to customer aggression, not a pattern of behavior. Also, even if initially denied, you absolutely should appeal - I've seen many similar cases overturned at hearing when the full context is presented. Don't let fear of denial stop you from filing - you have nothing to lose by trying.