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Had a similar situation last month. Definitely notify them beforehand - I sent a secure message through the NY.gov portal explaining my travel dates and reasons. Also made sure to NOT certify while I was out of the country. When I got back, I called to handle that week's certification. The rep said as long as you're transparent about it upfront, they're usually understanding. Just don't try to certify from abroad or they'll flag your account for sure.
@Rachel Clark This gives me some hope! I ve'been stressed about this whole thing. Quick question - when you sent the secure message, did you include your planned return date or just that you d'be traveling? Want to make sure I include all the right info when I reach out to them.
@Rachel Clark Really appreciate you sharing this! I m'dealing with the exact same situation right now. One more question - did you mention the specific reason for your travel in the secure message, or did you just say you d'be out of the country? Trying to figure out how detailed I need to be when I contact them.
yeah taxes suck but at least NY doesn't double-dip you like some states do. just make sure you report it correctly on your 1040
Just to add some practical advice for tax planning - if you end up owing on your 2024 return, you might want to make quarterly estimated payments for 2025 if you're still receiving benefits. The IRS generally expects you to pay as you go, and you could face underpayment penalties if you owe more than $1,000 at filing time. Also, keep all your 1099-G forms from NYS DOL - you'll need them to report the income accurately. The tax rate depends on your total income and filing status, but unemployment is taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate.
This is really helpful advice about quarterly payments! I had no idea about the $1,000 threshold for penalties. Since I owed nothing last year (this was my first time being unemployed), would I still need to worry about underpayment penalties if I end up owing around $1,200 like some others mentioned? Also, when you say "marginal rate" - is that the same as my tax bracket?
Just wanted to add that when you do apply, make sure you're prepared to start doing the required job search activities immediately. You'll need to log at least 3 work search activities per week and keep detailed records. Don't wait to start looking for work until after your claim is approved.
Don't let the 3-month gap discourage you from applying! I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. New York is actually more flexible than many states with their filing deadlines. Just be honest about your circumstances when you apply - many people don't realize they're eligible initially. The key thing is to file your claim ASAP and then stay consistent with your weekly certifications and job search requirements going forward. Also, make sure you have your SF-8 form from your employer if you were officially laid off, as this will help speed up the process with NYS Department of Labor.
Thank you so much for the professional perspective! I really appreciate knowing this is a common situation. Just to clarify - what exactly is an SF-8 form? I don't recall getting any specific forms when I was laid off, just my final paycheck stub. Should I contact my former employer to request this, or is there another way to get the documentation I need for my application?
btw make sure u answer NO when it asks if u returned to work. i messed up and hit yes once thinking it meant ever and it completely stopped my payments. took 3 weeks to fix.
Update: I successfully reopened my claim! For anyone with the same question - if you still have effective days left within your benefit year, you don't file a new claim. You just go through the normal certification process and it reactivates automatically. Thanks everyone for your help!
Congrats on getting it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're reopening a claim, expect there might be a delay in your first payment while they verify your eligibility again. Mine took about 10 days to process when I reopened last year, but after that first payment it went back to the normal schedule.
CosmicCruiser
this whole system is so confusing!! why can't they just make it simple to understand when you can reapply and when you can't... spent 2 hours on the website trying to figure this out yesterday and still wasn't sure
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Elin Robinson
•I totally get the frustration! The NYS DOL website isn't the most user-friendly. Here's the simple version: if your benefit year ended (not just your weekly benefits), AND you've worked since filing your original claim, you can file a brand new application. Think of it as starting completely fresh - new base period, new benefit calculation, everything. The temp work @StarStrider mentioned should definitely count toward qualifying for a new claim as long as there were enough total wages earned.
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Olivia Clark
I was in a similar situation earlier this year! Yes, you can absolutely reapply once your benefit year expires. The key thing is that you'll need to have earned sufficient wages during your new base period (which will be different quarters than your original claim). Since you've been doing temp work, make sure to gather all your pay stubs and W-2s from those jobs - even the short-term ones count toward your wage requirements. The online application walks you through it step by step, and it's actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Good luck!
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Carmella Fromis
•Thanks for sharing your experience @Olivia Clark! This is really helpful to hear from someone who went through it recently. Quick question - when you say "sufficient wages during your new base period," do you have any idea what the minimum amount is? I'm trying to figure out if my scattered temp work over the past few months will add up to enough. Some weeks I only worked a couple days, so I'm worried the total wages might not meet whatever threshold they have.
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