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Just remember whatever rate they give you, you still have to do the weekly claims and job search requirements. The money isn't automatic even after your claim is approved. I learned that the hard way when I missed filing one week and lost that payment completely.
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status or ask questions about your benefit rate, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
Just remember you need to do job search activities every week and keep a log. NYS Department of Labor requires proof of at least 3 work search contacts per week. They can ask for your job search log at any time and if you don't have it, they can disqualify you and demand repayment of benefits.
honestly the whole system is designed to make you jump through hoops. yeah unemployment is 'important' because it keeps people from becoming homeless but NYS Department of Labor makes it so complicated with all the job search logs and weekly questions. half the time their website crashes when you try to file anyway
I had major issues reaching NYS Department of Labor when my claim got stuck in adjudication for weeks. Couldn't get through on the phone no matter how many times I called. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Worth checking out if you're having contact issues with NYS Department of Labor.
The key factor is whether you're able and available for work. If your workers comp case involves total disability, you can't collect unemployment. But if you're cleared for modified or light duty work and your employer can't accommodate those restrictions, you might have options. You'll need medical documentation showing what work you can perform and proof that you're actively job searching within those limitations. The NYS Department of Labor will review your case individually.
This is exactly what happened to my brother. He was on workers comp but got cleared for light duty. His company couldn't accommodate him so he was able to file for unemployment while looking for jobs that matched his restrictions. Took forever to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor though.
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone, you might want to check out claimyr.com - they help people get through to unemployment agents quickly. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I used it when I had issues with my claim status and actually got through to someone the same day.
Wait this is confusing me too because I thought workers comp was supposed to replace your wages? Why would you need unemployment on top of that? Seems like double dipping to me.
Zainab Omar
This whole system is BROKEN when unemployment becomes this widespread. NYS Department of Labor wasn't designed to handle this many claims efficiently. We're all just numbers in their system while real families are struggling to pay rent and buy groceries.
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Sofia Torres
•I understand the frustration, but the system does adapt. During high unemployment periods, they often extend benefit periods and adjust job search requirements to be more realistic.
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Connor Gallagher
My unemployment counselor explained that when unemployment is a social issue like this, it affects funding for programs too. More federal money comes in, more workforce development programs get created. It's not just about individual claims - the whole support system expands.
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