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The NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess for anyone who doesn't have a typical 9-5 job. Maritime workers, gig workers, seasonal employees - we all get screwed by their outdated forms that assume everyone works at one location for one employer.
Just went through this myself. Put the vessel name where you worked most recently and the company name as the employer. If NYS Department of Labor needs clarification during adjudication, they'll contact you. Don't overthink it - the important thing is getting your claim filed before you run out of time.
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check your eligibility or file your claim, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
Just remember that if there are any issues with your claim it might go into adjudication which means they need to review something before approving you. This can add weeks to the process unfortunately. Common reasons include questions about why you left your job or if you're able and available to work.
Just want to add that if you're waiting on processing, make sure your job search requirements are up to date. Even during the review period, you need to be documenting your job search activities. The NYS Department of Labor can ask for this information at any time and it could delay your benefits if you're not compliant.
Ivanna St. Pierre
I had no idea they offered training programs! I've been struggling to get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to ask about this stuff. The phone lines are always busy and when I do get through they just hang up on me. Has anyone found a better way to reach them?
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•That sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate at this point. Did they actually help you connect or is it just another scam?
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Elin Robinson
•No it's legit. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Much better than spending hours on hold just to get disconnected.
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Atticus Domingo
Beyond claims processing, they maintain the state job bank, conduct labor market research, investigate benefit fraud, provide employer services for hiring, and manage federal grant programs for workforce development. They're also responsible for UI tax collection from employers and maintaining employment statistics.
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Beth Ford
•wow that's a lot more than I thought! makes sense why they're always so backed up
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