I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I lost my job and had to apply for both unemployment and Medicaid. The process was actually smoother than I expected - I applied online through NY State of Health and got approved within about 2 weeks. The key thing is to be honest about your unemployment income when you fill out the application. They'll verify it with NYS Department of Labor anyway, so don't try to hide it. One tip: if you have any medical appointments coming up, ask if they can wait to bill you until your Medicaid approval comes through. Many providers are understanding about this situation. Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation right now - lost my job last month and just got approved for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. This thread is super helpful! I was really worried about the health insurance gap. One thing I wanted to add is that when I called the NY State of Health customer service line, they told me that even if your unemployment benefits put you slightly over the Medicaid income limit, you might still qualify for subsidized marketplace plans with very low premiums. So definitely worth applying either way. Also, make sure to report any changes in your unemployment benefit amount if it changes - I think that's important for keeping your coverage valid.

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to update your withholding or have questions about your account, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Was way easier than trying to call myself and getting the busy signal for hours.

Just wanted to add that you should also consider your state tax situation. New York State doesn't automatically withhold state taxes from unemployment benefits either, but you can request state withholding too if you want to avoid owing on both federal and state returns. I think the state withholding option is around 3-4% but double check that when you're setting up your withholding preferences. Also keep in mind that if you were getting health insurance through your employer, losing that coverage might affect your tax situation since you won't have those premium deductions anymore.

The worst part about this whole thing is it's IMPOSSIBLE to get anyone on the phone at ny unemployment 😤 I spent literal days trying before I found a workaround. Use claimyr.com - they'll get you a callback from an actual agent instead of waiting on hold forever. Saved me so much stress when I was dealing with fraud on my account.

This is absolutely terrifying and I'm so sorry you're going through this! The combination of fraudulent unemployment claims AND suspicious IRS activity sounds like a major identity theft ring got hold of your information. A few things that stood out to me from your IRS transcript - those multiple refunds and credits from 2020-2021 are definitely red flags, especially the amended return you don't remember filing. The scammers might have been using your identity for tax fraud too, which could explain how they had enough info to file the unemployment claim. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to contact your state's Attorney General's office about this. They often have special identity theft units and can sometimes expedite cases with DOL. Also, consider signing up for the IRS Identity Protection PIN program if you haven't already - it adds an extra layer of security for future tax filings. The fact that you caught this so quickly is actually really good. Document everything with timestamps and keep pushing to get through to someone at DOL. Don't give up even if it takes multiple attempts. Your quick action could prevent this from getting much worse. Stay strong - you're doing all the right things! 💪

I'm in week 14 of my benefits and finding this thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and resources. Like so many others here, I had completely misunderstood how the system works and assumed I could simply reapply after 26 weeks. Learning about the qualifying wages requirement now, with 12 weeks still remaining, gives me a real opportunity to prepare properly. The comprehensive list of resources shared here is amazing - SNAP, HEAP, library services, temp agencies, workforce development programs, community college job placement services. I've been creating a spreadsheet to track all these options and plan to start applying for assistance programs within the next few weeks to avoid any processing delays. One question for those who have experience with workforce development programs - do you know if there are any restrictions on what types of training qualify? I'm in marketing/communications and wondering if there are approved programs in digital marketing or other related fields that might help me transition while maintaining some support. The psychological aspect of watching that 26-week countdown is really challenging. I find myself alternating between hope that I'll find something soon and anxiety about what happens if I don't. But reading how this community has supported each other through these transitions gives me confidence that there are ways to navigate this successfully. This thread has provided more practical, actionable information than anything I've found through official channels. The willingness of people to share their real experiences - both the struggles and the solutions they found - is incredibly helpful for those of us still working through this process.

I'm in week 12 of my benefits and this thread has been absolutely invaluable - thank you to everyone who has shared their knowledge and experiences so openly. Like virtually everyone else here, I had no clue about the qualifying wages requirement and was completely unprepared for the reality that you can't just reapply after exhausting 26 weeks. Having 14 weeks left feels like a gift after reading how many people discovered this information with only days or weeks remaining. I'm going to use this time to systematically work through all the resources mentioned here - starting SNAP and HEAP applications early, connecting with my local NY Career Center, researching temp agencies, and exploring those workforce development programs. The 599 Training Program keeps coming up in these responses and it sounds like something I should investigate immediately while I still have time to get approved. Does anyone know if there are specific industries or skill areas they prioritize, or is it pretty open to different career paths? I'm also going to check out that community college job placement service tip - I have a local campus about 20 minutes away and had no idea they offered those services to non-students. The mental health aspect of this countdown is already affecting me and I'm not even halfway through yet. But seeing how this community rallies around each other and shares practical solutions gives me real hope that we can all navigate this transition successfully, even when the official systems seem designed to leave us hanging. This thread has been more helpful than months of trying to get clear information through government websites and phone lines. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative space!

Based on everyone's responses here, it really sounds like you have a solid case! NYS Department of Labor generally requires misconduct to be willful and deliberate - not circumstances beyond your control like childcare issues. The fact that you always called in ahead of time shows you were acting in good faith and trying to communicate with your employer. I'd definitely recommend filing your claim as soon as possible and including any documentation you have about your childcare situation (daycare notices, babysitter communications, etc.) right from the start. Even if they initially deny it, you can always appeal, but from what others have shared here, situations like yours often get approved on the first review when properly documented. Don't let your employer's claim discourage you from applying - you deserve those benefits while you search for new work!

I work as a benefits advocate and have helped many people navigate NYS Department of Labor misconduct determinations. Your situation sounds very promising for approval! The key factors working in your favor are: 1) You always called in (shows good faith communication), 2) The tardiness was due to legitimate childcare issues (beyond your control), and 3) You only had one written warning before the additional incidents. NYS DOL typically looks for a pattern of willful disregard after multiple clear warnings. Childcare emergencies are generally viewed as excusable circumstances, not misconduct. When you file, be sure to emphasize that these were unexpected childcare situations that you communicated about immediately. Include any documentation like daycare closure notices or babysitter emergency texts. Even if initially denied, your case sounds very winnable on appeal. Don't let your employer's misconduct claim discourage you from filing - they have the burden of proving willful misconduct, which is a high standard.