I'm also a freelance graphic designer who just started collecting unemployment last month, and this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I've been so worried about accidentally violating the rules that I've been turning down potential clients, but now I feel much more confident about moving forward. The tracking spreadsheet idea is genius - I'm going to set one up today with all the columns everyone mentioned. One thing I'm still a bit confused about though: when calculating the 25% threshold, is that based on your gross weekly benefit amount before taxes, or your net amount after taxes are taken out? For example, if my weekly benefit statement shows $350 gross but I only receive $320 after taxes, would I calculate 25% of $350 or $320? Also, has anyone had experience with how seasonal variations in freelance work affect things? I'm thinking about doing some holiday design projects in December, but I'm worried about earning too much in a short period and triggering a review, even if my earnings are low the rest of the quarter.

This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm a freelance social media manager who's been on unemployment for about a month, and I was terrified to take on any work because I didn't want to mess up my claim. Reading through everyone's advice has been like getting a masterclass in how to do this properly. I'm definitely going to set up that tracking spreadsheet with columns for date, client, project description, hours worked, gross earnings, and payment status. The tips about being conservative with time estimates and thinking quarterly rather than just weekly are game-changers. One quick question: for those tracking hours, do you count things like initial client consultations and proposal writing as work hours, or just the actual project execution time? I spend a fair amount of time on unpaid discovery calls and writing proposals, and I want to make sure I'm reporting accurately. Also, has anyone dealt with clients who want to pay via platforms like Venmo or PayPal Friends & Family to "help you avoid taxes"? I'm guessing that's still income I need to report even if there's no official paper trail, right?

Just wanted to add one more tip that might help others - if you're having trouble getting through on the tech support line, try calling right when they open (usually 8 AM) or during lunch hours when call volume might be lower. I've found that mid-morning and late afternoon tend to be the busiest times. Also, make sure you have a pen and paper ready to write down any reference numbers or case IDs they give you in case you need to call back. Really glad to see this thread helped so many people figure out the solution!

This thread is pure gold! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's amazing how a simple "account not found" error can have so many different causes and solutions. The fact that NY doesn't clearly communicate their inactivity policy is really frustrating - like @Ella Russell mentioned, a simple warning email would save everyone so much stress. I love seeing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. The step-by-step advice about calling tech support, having verification info ready, and the timing tips are all incredibly valuable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that makes all the difference when you're stuck and stressed about benefits!

I've been silently following this thread for days and finally tried the strategies everyone's been sharing - and it WORKED! Called yesterday at 4:24pm using the main number (1-888-209-8124), pressed 2 then 3 as suggested, and got through after about 21 minutes on hold. My issue was that my claim had been stuck showing "payment released" for 3 weeks but nothing was hitting my bank account. Turns out my bank had changed their routing number recently and the payments were bouncing back! The agent updated my direct deposit info and said the backed-up payments should process within 2-3 business days. One thing that really helped: I wrote down EXACTLY what I needed to say when the agent answered, including my specific issue, how long it had been going on, and what I'd already tried. This kept me from rambling and helped her identify the problem quickly. To anyone still trying: the 4:15-5:00pm window is absolutely real, and don't hang up if you get put on hold - I almost gave up at the 18-minute mark but stayed on and finally got through. This community has been more helpful than anything official. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences!

I've been watching this thread develop over the past few days and it's incredible how you all have basically reverse-engineered the NYSDOL phone system! As someone who works in customer service (different industry), I can tell you that these timing patterns are probably real - most call centers have predictable busy periods and slower windows. A few additional tips from my experience managing phone queues: - The 4:15-5:00pm success window makes perfect sense because most people assume offices are "winding down" and don't call then, but staff are actually still there and queues are lighter - Wednesday-Thursday really are typically lower call volume days across most industries - Having your account info ready (PIN, SSN, etc.) speeds up verification and shows the agent you're prepared, which often makes them more willing to spend time helping For anyone still struggling: create a simple checklist on your phone with all the info you need (PIN, SSN, bank routing, employer details, specific questions) so you're not scrambling when you finally get connected. Good luck everyone - this community support has been amazing to watch!

Just wanted to chime in as another newcomer who's been stressing about this exact issue! I started filing three weeks ago and have been so worried about traveling to see my sister next month. This whole conversation has been incredibly reassuring - I love how everyone broke down the difference between technical IP tracking (which sounds pretty basic) versus actual work availability requirements. The point that really stuck with me is that they're looking for fraud patterns like someone consistently filing from a completely different state, not someone occasionally traveling while maintaining their home base. I think I was imagining some kind of sophisticated surveillance system when really it's just standard website logging. As long as I can truthfully say I'm available for work in my area and would return quickly for job opportunities, filing from my sister's place for a few days shouldn't be an issue. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - this community has been so helpful for those of us navigating unemployment for the first time!

As someone who just started filing unemployment claims this week, I cannot thank everyone enough for this incredibly detailed discussion! I've been absolutely terrified about filing from anywhere other than my home computer, even worrying about using my phone's mobile data versus WiFi. Reading through all these responses - especially the technical breakdown about IP addresses being used for basic fraud detection rather than GPS-style tracking - has completely changed my perspective. The distinction between temporary travel and permanent relocation really clarifies things, and hearing from so many people who've successfully filed from various locations while maintaining honest availability for work is so reassuring. I have a job interview in another city next week and was actually considering skipping it because I was worried about filing my weekly claim from there! Now I realize that's exactly the opposite of what I should be doing - actively pursuing work opportunities is the whole point. Thanks to this community for helping newcomers like me understand that we can live normal lives while collecting benefits as long as we're genuinely available and honest about our work search efforts.

I'm new to this community but unfortunately facing this exact situation too - my employer just announced they're relocating from Binghamton to Ohio next summer. Reading through all these experiences has been such a relief! Like everyone else here, my HR department gave me the same misleading information about not qualifying for unemployment if I don't relocate, but it's clear from all your stories that this is just standard misinformation they use to discourage legitimate claims. I can't move because I'm currently my grandmother's primary caregiver - she has Alzheimer's and any disruption to her routine and medical care would be catastrophic for her condition. Plus, I'm in the middle of my master's degree program at a local university that I've been working toward for three years. Ohio is obviously way beyond that 50-mile rule everyone mentioned, and the documentation advice from @Dylan Campbell about keeping everything in writing is incredibly valuable. I've already started screenshotting all the relocation communications and plan to gather medical documentation about my grandmother's care needs. It's so frustrating that employers try these scare tactics, but I'm grateful to have found this thread before making any decisions. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with NYS Department of Labor - you're helping people like me understand our rights and not get taken advantage of during an already stressful situation!

I'm also new to this community and unfortunately going through the same situation - my employer just announced they're relocating from Rochester to Tennessee in a few months. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! Like so many others, my HR department used almost identical language about not qualifying for unemployment if I don't relocate, but it's clear from all these stories that this is just a standard script they use to discourage legitimate claims. I can't move because I'm in the middle of cancer treatment here and have an established team of specialists who know my case inside and out. Switching medical teams and insurance networks in the middle of treatment would be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Tennessee is obviously way beyond any reasonable commuting distance, and the advice about documenting everything has been so helpful - I'm going to start gathering all my medical records and treatment schedules as evidence of why relocation would create severe hardship. It's really frustrating that employers try to mislead workers about their rights during already stressful situations, but I'm so grateful to have found this thread. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with NYS Department of Labor - you're helping people like me understand that we actually have protections in these situations and don't have to just accept what HR tells us!