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I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask similar questions about my claim. After weeks of busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that connects you directly to unemployment agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me get through to someone who could explain the whole employer tax vs. benefits timeline. Much easier than trying to call on my own.
wait so if employers pay quarterly, what happens if they go out of business? do we still get benefits?? this is making me nervous about my situation
The NYS Department of Labor unemployment system is so messed up. They make it nearly impossible to get benefits even when you deserve them. My cousin quit because her boss was sexually harassing her and they still denied her claim initially. Had to get a lawyer involved.
Don't forget you can get benefits for up to 26 weeks typically, so that $504 weekly adds up. Just make sure you're doing your job search requirements - they're pretty strict about that now. You need to do 3 work search activities per week and keep a log.
The system is so confusing though! I thought the amount was based on what you made in your last job but apparently it's some complicated calculation from multiple quarters? Why can't they just make it simple like a percentage of your last paycheck??
The system is so broken! They make the definitions intentionally confusing so people mess up and get denied benefits. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and still don't understand half their rules.
Miguel Ortiz
wait is disaster unemployment the same as regular unemployment or do i get both? my cousin said something about getting extra money but im not sure if thats true
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Dylan Cooper
•No, you can't get both. If you're eligible for regular UI benefits, you have to apply for those first. DUA is only for people who aren't eligible for regular unemployment - like self-employed people or those who don't have enough work history for regular benefits.
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Miguel Ortiz
•oh ok that makes sense i guess. so if i worked full time for 2 years i would just get regular unemployment then?
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Zainab Omar
Same boat here - my restaurant got completely destroyed and we're all out of work indefinitely. I started my application yesterday and it was actually pretty straightforward once I found the right section on my.ny.gov. Just make sure you select 'disaster-related' when it asks about the reason for your job separation. They also asked for the FEMA disaster declaration number which I found on the FEMA website.
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