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The technical definition matters for certain programs and statistics. Your unemployment spell starts when you become unemployed and ends when you return to work, not when you start or stop filing claims. If you need to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to clarify this for your specific situation, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through their phone system. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Much easier than trying to call directly.
The whole system is so confusing with all these technical terms!! Why can't they just ask 'how long have you been out of work' instead of using fancy terminology like unemployment spell?? Makes it sound like we're casting magic or something
Wait, so if you quit you can still get unemployment? I thought only people who got fired or laid off could collect benefits. This is confusing.
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and honestly their coding system is confusing as hell. Half the time representatives give different explanations for the same codes. At least code 10 seems to be consistently regular benefits from what I've experienced.
So frustrating trying to get through to them on the phone! I waited 3 hours last week just to ask about a simple question. Actually found this service called Claimyr that calls them for you - check out claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress.
I remember learning about this in my economics class years ago but honestly the categories seem more academic than practical when you're just trying to get your unemployment benefits processed lol
The NYS Department of Labor system is so backwards anyway. They probably have their own weird internal classifications that don't match anything logical. I've been dealing with them for months on an overpayment issue and every agent tells me something different. The whole system needs an overhaul!!!
Rajan Walker
I had such a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about my benefit calculation last year. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent who could explain my specific situation. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was so much easier than trying to call myself.
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Nadia Zaldivar
•How much did that cost though? I hate paying for something that should be free government service.
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Rajan Walker
•I get that frustration but honestly it was worth it for me. The time I saved and stress I avoided trying to get through on my own made it worthwhile. Plus the agent was able to answer questions I couldn't find answers to online.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
Just want to add that the maximum can change each year so always check the current rates. Also restaurant workers sometimes have issues with the way tips are reported affecting their benefit calculation, so make sure all your tip income was properly reported to get the full benefit amount you're entitled to.
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