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Just make sure you understand the difference between gross and net earnings when reporting. Report your gross earnings (before taxes) not what you actually take home. Also if you get tips or commission those count too.
One thing to keep in mind is that your part-time work might actually help your case in the long run - NYS Department of Labor looks favorably on claimants who are actively working and trying to become self-sufficient. As long as you're still available for full-time work and meeting your job search requirements, having part-time employment shows you're making an effort. Plus, you're building work history and potentially networking for future full-time opportunities. Just stay consistent with your reporting and don't let the partial benefit reduction discourage you from working.
That's a really good point about building work history and networking! I hadn't thought about the long-term benefits beyond just the immediate income. It's reassuring to know that NYS Department of Labor views part-time work positively rather than as trying to "game the system." I'm definitely committed to finding full-time work eventually, so knowing that this part-time job could actually help my case makes me feel better about the whole situation.
I went through this exact same situation last year and it's definitely nerve-wracking. In my case, the review took about 4 weeks and turned out they were just verifying my employment dates with my former employer. The good news is that once it was resolved, I received all the back payments for the weeks I had certified during the review period. My advice would be to keep documenting your job search activities thoroughly - save screenshots of applications, keep a log of contacts with employers, etc. This will be helpful if they ask for proof of your work search efforts. Also, don't stop filing your weekly certifications even though you're not getting paid yet - this is crucial for getting your back pay once the review is complete. Hang in there, it's frustrating but most reviews do get resolved eventually.
Thank you for sharing your experience - it's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing. I've been keeping track of my job applications but I wasn't saving screenshots, so I'll start doing that right away. Did they ever contact you directly during the review process or did it just resolve on its own? I'm worried I might miss some important communication from them.
I'm going through this exact same thing right now - my claim has been under review for about 10 days and I'm also really anxious about it. From what I've been reading online and hearing from others, it seems like most reviews are just routine verification processes where they double-check information with your previous employer or verify your eligibility. The waiting is definitely the worst part because they don't give you any updates or timeline. I've been continuing to file my weekly certifications as everyone recommends, and I'm trying to stay patient even though it's really hard when bills are piling up. One thing that's helped me is knowing that if the review goes in your favor, you'll get all the back pay for the weeks you certified during the review period. Hopefully both of our reviews get resolved soon!
I'm in the exact same boat - filed on January 10th and been under review for about 10 days now. It's so stressful not knowing what's happening or when it might get resolved. I keep checking my account multiple times a day hoping for some update but nothing changes. At least we're not alone in this situation! I'm also continuing to file my weekly certifications and keeping detailed records of my job search just in case they ask for it later. Fingers crossed we both hear something soon - the uncertainty is almost worse than knowing there's a problem.
Same thing happened to my neighbor - turned out she forgot to report some cash tips from her waitressing job. NYS Department of Labor just made her pay it back over time, no criminal charges. As long as you cooperate and don't try to hide anything, you should be okay.
I went through something similar with NYS DOL last year - got an overpayment notice for $3,400 and was absolutely terrified about the fraud investigation part. Turns out I had been miscalculating my gross vs net earnings when reporting part-time work. The key thing that helped me was gathering ALL my pay stubs and employment records before my hearing. I also wrote a detailed letter explaining exactly how I calculated my earnings each week and where I think the confusion happened. The hearing officer could see it was an honest mistake and they waived the fraud penalties, though I still had to repay the overpayment. Don't panic - focus on documenting everything and being completely transparent about what happened.
@Ella Cofer This is really helpful to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing! The part about gross vs net earnings confusion really resonates with me - I think that might be exactly what happened in my case too. When you say you wrote a detailed letter, did you submit that before your hearing or bring it with you? And how long did the whole process take from getting the notice to resolution? I m'trying to figure out my timeline here.
Y'all are making this so complicated. Just certify for this week on Sunday like normal. Then on Tuesday (after Labor Day) file a new claim. Then keep certifying each week. If payments stop, THAT'S when you need to call.
This👆 is the actual correct answer
I went through this exact same situation with my BYE falling on July 4th last year. Here's what worked for me: certify this Sunday as normal, then file your new claim on Tuesday September 5th (the day after Labor Day). The holiday doesn't change the basic process, but it might delay processing times since offices are closed Monday. Keep all your documentation ready - especially any part-time work records since you mentioned freelancing. The key is to not skip any certifications during the transition. If your payments get held up (which honestly happens to most people), you'll need to call, but at least you won't lose any weeks by following the normal schedule. Good luck!
Giovanni Mancini
Just a heads up - make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before you can start receiving benefits. Also you'll need to file weekly claims every week even if your initial application is still being processed. The NYS Department of Labor website has all the instructions but it can be confusing at first.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
•What do you mean by weekly claims? Is that something different from the initial application?
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Jamal Wilson
•Yes, after you file your initial claim you have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work. You do this online through the same my.ny.gov portal where you filed your original application.
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Connor O'Brien
I went through this process about 6 months ago when I was laid off. One thing I wish someone had told me is to take screenshots of your confirmation pages after you submit everything - the system can be glitchy sometimes and it's good to have proof you filed on time. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, gather all that info before you start because the application will time out if you take too long looking things up. Good luck with your application!
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Jade Lopez
•That's really helpful advice about taking screenshots! I wouldn't have thought of that. Did you run into any issues with the system timing out? I'm worried about getting halfway through and losing everything.
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