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The NYS Department of Labor system is SO confusing about this stuff! I've been unemployed for 6 months and still don't fully understand how they calculate everything. Sometimes I think they make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from claiming benefits they're entitled to.
Just remember to keep track of your job search activities too. NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search contacts per week even when you're working part-time and claiming partial benefits.
Wait, I still need to do job searches even though I'm working part-time? I thought that requirement was waived if you had some employment.
The whole system is so confusing! I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about my benefit amount but can never get through on the phone. The automated system just hangs up on me after being on hold forever.
I had the same problem until I found claimyr.com - they actually got me through to a real NYS Department of Labor agent in like 15 minutes. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call myself.
Processing time varies but usually 2-3 weeks if everything goes smoothly. Sometimes your claim goes into adjudication if they need to verify your employment or separation reason - that can add several more weeks. Make sure you have all your documentation ready when you file to avoid delays.
I went through this whole process last year when my restaurant closed. Honestly the hardest part was just understanding all the terminology at first - adjudication, monetary determination, waiting week, etc. But once you get into the routine of filing weekly it becomes pretty automatic. Just don't miss filing a week or you'll lose benefits for that period.
If you're struggling to get through to NYS Department of Labor about employer issues, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach someone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. It's mainly for claimants but I used it when I couldn't get answers about a separation dispute and needed to speak with someone urgently. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
The whole system seems designed to favor employees over employers tbh. We document everything now - attendance, performance issues, policy violations. Because when someone files for unemployment after you fire them, you better have good documentation or NYS Department of Labor will side with the employee every time. It's like guilty until proven innocent.
Hannah Flores
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! I've been calling for THREE WEEKS about my disqualification and they never answer. How are people supposed to survive when they make it impossible to reach anyone???
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Kayla Jacobson
Just a heads up - even if you get through during business hours, make sure you have your claim details ready. They'll ask for your SSN, claim effective date, and specific questions about your adjudication. Having everything organized beforehand will save time once you finally connect.
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