I'm going through this exact same process right now - filed my claim about 12 days ago and have been anxiously checking my my.ny.gov account multiple times daily! This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. Like so many others here, this is my first time filing for unemployment and I had no idea what the normal timeline looked like. I was also laid off due to company downsizing, so it sounds like I'm in a very similar straightforward situation. Reading everyone's experiences has completely changed my perspective from "something must be wrong" to "this is just the normal process." The informed delivery tip that keeps coming up is brilliant - just signed up for that so I'll at least know when mail is on the way. It's amazing how much the anxiety decreases when you realize that 2-3 weeks is completely standard processing time and that "claim under review" status is totally normal at this stage. Thanks for posting this question - you've created such a supportive space for all of us first-time filers navigating this nerve-wracking waiting period together!

I'm going through the exact same anxiety right now! Filed my claim about 9 days ago and keep obsessively checking my.ny.gov account hoping to see some change from "claim under review." Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - I had no idea that 2-3 weeks was completely normal processing time even for straightforward cases like ours. Like you, I was also laid off due to company downsizing and this is my first time ever filing for unemployment, so I've been second-guessing everything wondering if I made some mistake on the application. The informed delivery tip that everyone keeps mentioning is genius - just signed up for that so at least I'll have some advance warning when that determination letter is on its way! It's incredible how much better it feels knowing that we're all going through this same nerve-wracking waiting period together. Your question has created such a supportive space for first-time filers like us. Going to try to limit myself to checking once daily instead of my current obsessive refreshing habit. Thanks for posting this - you've definitely helped ease a lot of people's anxiety, including mine!

Hey @Yuki Ito! I just dealt with this exact situation a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was treating the freelance work just like any other job when explaining it. I made sure to have the exact start and end dates, described my specific responsibilities clearly, and mentioned how I invoiced the client (weekly, monthly, per project, etc.). The key is being prepared with concrete details - they want to verify employment just like any W-2 job, so give them the same level of detail. Also, if you have any email correspondence with the client about the work scope or payment, keep those handy as backup documentation. The verification process went much smoother once I started approaching it that way! Hope this helps - you've got this! 💪

I've been through this process a few times and here's what worked best for me: Be super organized before you make the call! I created a simple document with all my freelance work listed out - client name, exact dates, brief job description, and how I was paid. Also, don't forget to mention if you have any supporting documents like contracts, invoices, or email chains that show the work relationship. The agents really appreciate when you're prepared and can answer their questions quickly. One last thing - if possible, try to get a reference contact from your client beforehand in case they want to verify directly. Makes the whole process way smoother! 📝

I was in the exact same situation last year after getting laid off from my data entry job. Applied for Medicaid while collecting unemployment and got approved within 3 weeks. The key thing that helped me was gathering all my documentation beforehand - unemployment benefit determination letter, recent payment history from my.ny.gov, and bank statements showing my benefit deposits. Also want to mention that if you have any ongoing prescriptions or medical appointments coming up, mention the urgency when you apply - they can sometimes expedite cases for people with immediate medical needs. The $420 weekly you're getting should definitely qualify you, so don't stress too much about the income part.

Yes, that's exactly right! The unemployment benefit determination letter is the same as your initial eligibility notice that shows you were approved for benefits and lists your weekly benefit amount. That document is perfect for the Medicaid application because it officially shows your UI income. You can also print out your recent payment history from the Department of Labor website if you want extra documentation, but the determination letter should be sufficient. Make sure it's the most recent one if you've had any changes to your benefit amount. Good luck with your application!

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.