Another thing to keep in mind - if you worked part-time while collecting benefits before, make sure you report ALL your earnings when you reopen, even if it seems like small amounts. I made the mistake of not reporting some freelance work I did thinking it wouldn't matter, and it caused a huge headache later with overpayment issues. The NYS Department of Labor is really strict about this stuff. Also, if you have any saved correspondence from your previous claim (emails, letters, etc.), keep those handy in case they ask for documentation during the reopening process.

If you're having trouble finding the reopening option, try looking under "Manage My Claim" or "My Benefits" section after logging in. Sometimes it's labeled as "Reactivate Claim" instead of "Reopen." Also, make sure you're using the full my.ny.gov site and not the mobile version - I've found the mobile site sometimes hides certain options. If you still can't find it, you might need to call their customer service line early in the morning (around 8 AM) when hold times are shorter. Keep your Social Security number and PIN ready when you call.

Also worth mentioning - if your benefit amount seems really low compared to your previous wages, double check that NYS Department of Labor calculated your benefit correctly. Sometimes they don't include all your qualifying wages from the base period. You can request a wage transcript to verify what earnings they used in the calculation.

You might also want to look into other assistance programs while you're working on the unemployment side. SNAP benefits, emergency rental assistance, and utility help programs can bridge the gap when your UI benefits aren't covering everything. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local resources. Also check if your county has any emergency assistance programs - some offer one-time help with rent or utilities. It won't increase your unemployment amount but it can help with the immediate financial pressure you're facing.

I've been on unemployment for about 10 weeks now and this thread perfectly captures the frustration and confusion I went through in my first month. Like so many others here, I kept waiting for some kind of increase that never materialized. My weekly benefit is $492 and it's been exactly that every single week. What finally helped me was doing exactly what people are suggesting here - I stopped hoping for increases and started aggressively pursuing every assistance program I could find. I got approved for SNAP which freed up about $200/month from my unemployment for other expenses, signed up with three different local food banks, and got on my utility company's low-income discount program. The psychological shift of accepting that your benefit amount is truly fixed and then focusing all your energy on maximizing those dollars through other resources makes a huge difference. It's definitely not fair that there are no cost-of-living adjustments, but once you accept that reality, you can actually start making strategic decisions about your finances instead of just hoping and waiting.

I'm about 4 weeks into my unemployment claim and this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly a bit of a relief. I've been stressing myself out wondering when my $478 weekly benefit would increase, especially with rent going up next month. Reading everyone's experiences makes it clear that I need to stop waiting for mythical increases and start being more proactive about supplemental resources. The advice about treating unemployment as a strict fixed salary from day one really resonates - I think I've been in denial about the reality of the situation. I'm definitely going to apply for SNAP this week and start researching local food banks. It's disappointing that there are no cost-of-living adjustments, but at least now I can plan realistically instead of living in false hope. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips - this community knowledge is so much more valuable than anything on the official NYS DOL website!

I filed for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor about 3 months ago and wanted to share a few tips that really helped me. First, create your account at labor.ny.gov early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy - I had way fewer technical issues that way. Second, when they ask for your employment history, don't stress if you can't remember exact dates or addresses - approximate information is fine for the initial filing and they'll verify details with your employers later. Third, save a copy of everything you submit and write down your confirmation numbers! I also recommend setting up direct deposit right away so your benefits go straight to your bank account. The whole process took about 10 days for me to get my first payment, but that was because I filed immediately after my last day of work. You're going to be okay - just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to call if you get stuck on any part of the application.

I just went through this process myself a few weeks ago after getting laid off from my office job, so I totally understand the anxiety you're feeling right now! Here's my step-by-step breakdown: 1) Go to labor.ny.gov and click "File a Claim for Benefits" - you'll need to create an account first. 2) Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info ready (employer names, addresses, dates worked, and gross wages for the last 18 months). 3) The application takes about 30-45 minutes and asks detailed questions about your work history and reason for job loss. 4) After submitting, you'll get a confirmation number - SAVE THIS! 5) Start filing your weekly claims the following Sunday, even if you haven't heard back about your initial claim yet. The key thing is to file as soon as possible - I filed the day after my last day of work and got my first payment in about 2 weeks. Don't worry about having perfect information for employment dates/wages - approximate is fine and they'll verify with your employers. You've got this! The hardest part is just getting started.

I understand you're scared, but you need to act quickly. Contact the NYS DOL fraud hotline at 1-888-598-2077 or report online through their website. Be completely honest about all the unreported work - dates, amounts, who paid you. Yes, you'll likely owe money back plus penalties, but voluntary disclosure almost always keeps it civil rather than criminal. The key is acting before they discover it themselves. Also, stop any unreported work immediately. Document everything and consider consulting with an employment attorney if the amounts get significant. The sooner you come forward, the better your outcome will be.

I went through something similar last year and want to share what I learned. First, take a deep breath - while this is serious, it's not the end of the world if you handle it correctly. The $400 over several months puts you in a much better position than someone who was working full-time while collecting. Here's what you should do: 1) Call the fraud hotline immediately at 1-888-598-2077 as others mentioned, 2) Gather all documentation about the cash work (dates, amounts, who paid you), 3) Be completely honest when you report - they can tell when people are still hiding things, and 4) Stop any unreported work right now. In my case, voluntary disclosure resulted in repaying the overpayment plus a 15% penalty, but no criminal charges. The key is acting before they find out through other means like tax records or employer reports. Yes, it's stressful and expensive, but it's much better than the alternative of them discovering it during an audit.