I'm in almost the exact same situation! I lost my main job in January and have a small online tutoring business that brings in maybe $100-300 some months, but often nothing for weeks at a time. When I first filed my UI claim, I was so nervous about mentioning the business because I wasn't sure how NYS Department of Labor would handle it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like the key is just being completely transparent and accurately reporting all income, even when it's $0. I've been doing my weekly claims for about 3 months now and haven't had any issues so far. The tutoring work is completely flexible and definitely doesn't interfere with my job search or availability for full-time work. It's such a relief to see so many people successfully managing similar situations by being upfront about their small businesses. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences that you just can't find in the official documentation. Thanks everyone for being so open about your situations - it really helps reduce the anxiety of navigating this system!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just started my UI claim last week after losing my job and I have a small craft business that I run on Etsy. Like everyone here, it makes very little - maybe $50-200 some months, often nothing at all. I was really worried about mentioning it when I filed because I thought they might automatically deny me, but reading all these experiences has convinced me that being honest was the right choice. It's incredible how similar all our situations are - small side businesses with minimal, inconsistent income that clearly don't interfere with our ability to work full-time. The anxiety about doing something wrong is so real, especially when it's hard to get clear guidance from NYS Department of Labor directly. But seeing so many successful stories here of people who've been transparent about their businesses and are collecting benefits without issues is really reassuring. I'm going to keep reporting everything accurately on my weekly claims and stay focused on my job search. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is providing the real-world guidance that's impossible to find anywhere else!

I was stuck in this same Okta hell for almost 2 weeks! What finally saved me was a combination of things: cleared all cookies/cache, used Edge browser (I know, weird but it worked when Chrome and Firefox failed), made sure I was on strong wifi, and most importantly - I had to update my phone number format in my profile to match exactly how Okta expected it (with dashes like 555-123-4567 instead of just numbers). Also try logging in super early like 6:30am before the system gets overloaded. The verification texts come through faster in the morning too. If all else fails, that claimyr service people mentioned is legit - my cousin used it last month and got through to an agent same day. Hang in there, you'll get through this! 💪

Just went through this exact same nightmare last month! The Okta verification issue is so common right now. Here's what finally worked after days of trying: 1) Use Safari if you have a Mac (worked better than Chrome/Firefox for me) 2) Turn off any ad blockers or privacy extensions 3) Make sure your cookies are enabled for the NY DOL site 4) Try using your phone's hotspot instead of regular wifi - sometimes the IP routing makes a difference. The most important thing though is to make sure your phone number in your account profile is formatted EXACTLY like this: (555) 123-4567 with parentheses and dash. The system is super picky about that. If you're still stuck after all the browser tricks, honestly the claimyr service others mentioned is worth the $20 if you're desperate - I was skeptical too but it actually works. Don't give up, you'll get through eventually! 🤞

honestly the amount varies SO much depending on what you were making before. my friend who worked retail got like $200 a week but my other friend who worked at a bank got almost $500. it's all about your previous earnings

I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my accounting job making $48k. From what I've researched, NY unemployment benefits are calculated at roughly 50% of your average weekly wage from your highest earning quarter during the "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). With your $52k salary, you should qualify for around $400-450 per week, which is actually more manageable than I initially thought. The maximum weekly benefit in NY for 2025 is $504. One tip I learned - file your claim immediately even if you're not sure about all the details, because any delays can cost you money and there's a one-week waiting period before payments start.

Just went through this nightmare myself last week! One thing that really helped me was calling ID.me right when they opened at 8am Eastern - the wait time was only about 15 minutes compared to the 2+ hours later in the day. Also, if you're still having trouble with document uploads, try taking the photos in natural daylight near a window rather than using indoor lighting. The contrast seems to work better for their system. Hang in there everyone - it's frustrating but you'll get through it!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. The ID.me verification process is absolutely brutal, but don't give up! A few things that saved me: 1) Try the mobile app instead of the website if you're having upload issues - it worked way better for me, 2) Make sure your documents are saved as JPG or PNG files, not PDF (learned this the hard way), and 3) If all else fails, the video chat option actually moves faster than you'd think, usually within 24-48 hours. I know it feels hopeless when you're stuck in this loop, but once you get past ID.me, the rest of the unemployment process moves pretty quickly. Stay strong everyone! 💪

This is such an encouraging success story! I'm scheduled for my hearing next month after being denied for "insubordination" when I refused to work mandatory overtime that would have violated DOL regulations about maximum hours for my position. Your advice about documentation is spot on - I've been collecting every email, text, and policy document I can find. One thing that really resonates is your point about practicing testimony out loud. I've been so focused on organizing my paperwork that I hadn't considered how nervous I'll actually be during the hearing. Did you find it helpful to have someone else listen to your practice sessions, or did you just rehearse alone? Also, for anyone else preparing, I found the NYS DOL website has sample hearing procedures that helped me understand the format better. Thanks again for sharing what worked - it's giving me much more confidence going into this process!

This is exactly what I needed to read today! I'm preparing for my hearing after being denied for "attendance issues" even though I had FMLA documentation for my medical absences. Your strategy about proving employer inconsistencies really resonates with me - they claim I had excessive absences but my HR records show all my leave was properly documented and approved. I've been so overwhelmed trying to organize everything, but your timeline approach makes total sense. Did you find it helpful to create a summary document for the judge, or did you just present evidence as questions came up? Also wondering if anyone has experience with hearings where medical accommodations were involved - I'm worried they'll try to claim my condition made me unable to perform essential job functions even though I never missed deadlines when I was present.