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yeah if you get laid off you can definitely collect. i was on unemployment for like 6 months after my company downsized. just file asap and do your weekly claims on time
Sorry to hear about the potential layoff situation - that's really stressful! Just wanted to add that when you do file with NYS Department of Labor, make sure you have your direct deposit info ready so you can get payments faster once approved. Also, if your employer offers any severance package, that might affect when your benefits start, so mention it when you file your claim. The good news is layoffs are pretty straightforward cases for unemployment eligibility compared to other separation reasons.
That's a great point about severance pay! @Caden Nguyen - definitely be upfront about any severance when you file. NYS Department of Labor has specific rules about how severance affects your benefit start date. Some types of severance might delay when you can start collecting, but it s'better to report it accurately from the beginning than have issues later. The direct deposit tip is solid too - saves you from waiting for checks in the mail.
just be honest on your weekly claims about your availability. if you can work around your class schedule most employers will accommodate students anyway. retail and food service jobs are pretty flexible
I'm in a similar situation - finishing my last semester while collecting benefits. What worked for me was being very specific about my availability when I certify each week. I indicate I'm available Monday, Wednesday, Friday all day, and Tuesday/Thursday after 2pm (after my lab). I've been applying to part-time positions that specifically mention student-friendly schedules or evening/weekend shifts. So far no issues with NYS Department of Labor. The key seems to be showing genuine job search activity and realistic availability rather than claiming you're available 24/7 when you're clearly not due to classes.
This is really helpful! I like your approach of being specific about your actual availability rather than just saying you're available anytime. Did you have to provide any documentation to NYS Department of Labor about your class schedule, or do they just go by what you report during weekly certification? I'm worried they might ask for proof of my course schedule if they audit my claim.
The restaurant industry is rough right now but there are jobs out there. Focus on your weekly claims and job search requirements and you should be fine for the 26 weeks. Just stay on top of everything with NYS Department of Labor.
Hey Victoria, sorry to hear about your layoff! The 26 weeks is correct for NY unemployment benefits. Since you worked full-time for 2 years at your restaurant job, you should definitely qualify for the full duration. Just make sure to file your weekly certifications on time every week - you can usually do this online through the NY.gov website. Also keep track of your job search activities (3 per week minimum) because they do audit those records. The restaurant industry has been picking up lately, so hopefully you'll find something before your benefits run out. Good luck!
ugh this whole system is such a nightmare. why cant they just make the forms clearer instead of setting people up to fail?? ive been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and its like they WANT to make it impossible
One tip that helped me with the work history section - if you worked multiple jobs during any period, list them all even if they overlapped. The system needs to see your complete earnings picture to calculate benefits correctly. Also, for the "reason for separation" with reduced hours, you can usually select "lack of work" or "reduction in force" - both indicate it wasn't your fault. Keep all your documentation handy in case they need to verify anything during the review process.
Paolo Longo
The 'average' is misleading because it depends entirely on your work history. Someone who worked minimum wage jobs will get way less than someone who had a professional salary. Your benefit rate is based on the wages you earned during your base period, not some arbitrary average. Check your online account on my.ny.gov to see your actual calculated benefit amount once you file.
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Amara Okafor
Just went through this myself a few months ago. With your $52k salary, you'll likely qualify for close to the maximum weekly benefit which is around $504. The calculation is roughly 50% of your average weekly wage during your highest earning quarter in the base period. One thing to keep in mind - there's usually a one week waiting period before you start receiving benefits, so plan for that gap. Also make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file online, it speeds up the process significantly. The whole approval took about 2-3 weeks for me once I submitted everything correctly.
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