The whole system is funded by employers but honestly it feels like they make it as hard as possible for us to actually collect what we're entitled to. All these adjudication delays and job search requirements - it's like they want people to give up and stop filing claims.

Thanks everyone for the detailed explanations! I had no idea it was completely employer-funded. It's actually pretty smart that companies with higher turnover pay more - gives them a real financial incentive to treat workers better and avoid unnecessary layoffs. Makes me feel less guilty about collecting benefits knowing my former employer was required to pay into this system all along.

i know someone who got in huge trouble for reporting wrong. they made him pay back like $8000! but that was cuz he didnt report ANY income not cuz he reported wrong type

As someone who's been dealing with self-employment income reporting for a while, I can confirm what others have said - definitely report NET income. I run a small online business and learned this the hard way after initially reporting gross sales. For your Etsy shop, calculate: (Total sales) - (Etsy fees + shipping costs + materials + any other direct business expenses) = Net income to report. Since you've been over-reporting for a while, you're likely owed money from previous weeks. I'd suggest documenting all your actual net income for those past weeks before calling NYSDOL. Having clear numbers will make the adjustment process smoother if you can actually get through to someone. The key is showing them you've been conservative and honest, just using the wrong calculation method. Keep detailed spreadsheets going forward - it'll save you headaches later!

Keep certifying your weekly claims even while waiting for approval. Once they process your initial claim, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you certified. The key is staying consistent with your weekly filings and job search activities. Document everything in case they ask for proof later.

I'm in a similar situation - filed 7 weeks ago and still waiting. What I've learned is that you can also try contacting your local assemblyperson or state senator's office. They sometimes have dedicated liaisons who can help escalate cases with the Department of Labor. I reached out to mine last week and they said they'd make an inquiry on my behalf. Worth a shot if the phone lines aren't working for you. Also make sure you're keeping records of all your job search activities and any correspondence attempts with DOL.

Just claim whatever you normally claim on your regular job taxes. The unemployment system in NY is confusing enough without overthinking the exemptions part.

Just to add to what everyone else has said - you're absolutely right to be careful about this! When I first filed, I was also worried about messing up my claim. The good news is that the exemptions section is really just about tax withholding, not your benefit calculation. Since you have two kids and are married, you could reasonably claim 2 or 3 exemptions (similar to what you'd claim on a W-4), but keep in mind that unemployment benefits are fully taxable income at both federal and state levels. Some people prefer to claim fewer exemptions or even zero to avoid owing money at tax time, since unemployment income can sometimes push you into a different tax bracket than you expect.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - the job market has been brutal lately. Unfortunately, like others have mentioned, NY doesn't have any extension programs running right now. The 26-week limit is pretty much set in stone unless there's some major economic crisis that triggers federal action. One thing that might help while you're transitioning is looking into your local One-Stop Career Centers (part of the American Job Centers network). They often have resources beyond just job listings - sometimes emergency assistance, skills training programs, or connections to employers who are actively hiring. The training programs especially might be worth checking out since some come with income support while you're learning new skills. Also, don't overlook union halls if you're in construction - even if work is slow in your specific trade, they might know about projects starting up or related work. Sometimes they hear about opportunities before they hit the regular job boards. Hang in there. This transition period is tough but temporary. Focus on getting some income flowing first, then you can be more strategic about finding your way back to better opportunities in your field.

I'm in a similar boat - my benefits are running out next month after being laid off from my marketing job. It's terrifying knowing there's no safety net after 26 weeks. What really gets me is how the job search requirements keep ramping up even when there are barely any decent openings to apply for. I've been networking like crazy and even reached out to old colleagues, but everyone's either laying people off or not hiring. Has anyone had luck with those workforce development programs someone mentioned? I'm wondering if it's worth looking into retraining for something more stable, even if it means starting over salary-wise. At this point I'm considering everything from medical coding bootcamps to getting my real estate license - anything that might lead to actual employment instead of just more rejection emails. The stress of watching that benefit countdown is unreal. Hope you find something soon Ravi!