Wait can someone clarify - do you still have to do the weekly claims online even if you apply by phone? Or can you do those by phone too? I'm so confused about this whole process.

Hey Andre! I just went through this exact situation a few months ago when my computer died right after I got laid off. The phone application definitely works, but here's what I wish someone had told me: call RIGHT when they open at 8 AM for the best chance of getting through. I also recommend having a notepad ready because they'll ask for specific dates and wage information that you might not remember off the top of your head. The agent I spoke with was really patient and helpful, so don't worry about not being tech-savvy - they're used to walking people through everything step by step. Good luck!

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask about your specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helpful when you need to discuss complex eligibility questions like this.

Just wanted to share another option to consider - check if you're eligible for any workforce development programs through your local One-Stop Career Center while you're between benefit periods. Some programs offer training stipends or other support that might help bridge the gap. You can find your local center through the NYS Department of Labor website. Also, make sure you're still certifying for benefits weekly even if you think you might not qualify - sometimes there are processing delays and you don't want to miss out if you are actually eligible.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple instead of having all these random rules that nobody understands

One thing that catches a lot of people off guard is the earnings disqualification. If you work part-time while collecting benefits, you need to report ALL earnings - even cash payments or gig work. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you won't get any UI payment that week. And if you don't report earnings accurately, that's considered fraud which can disqualify you permanently. I learned this the hard way when I did some freelance work and didn't think a small payment mattered.

One thing that caught me off guard - even if you go out of business, you still need to file a final report with NYS Department of Labor. I closed my restaurant last year and almost forgot about this until my accountant reminded me.

As someone who's been through this process recently, I'd add that you should also budget for the administrative time this takes - it's not just the UI taxes themselves. Between the quarterly filings, responding to claims notices, and keeping proper payroll records for audits, it adds up. Also, if you're planning to hire seasonal workers, that can complicate your experience rating calculations. NYS Department of Labor has some online resources that help, but honestly the learning curve is steep when you're just starting out.

This is really helpful information! I'm new to New York and was also confused about this. One thing I'd add is that even though employees don't pay unemployment tax directly, it's still worth checking your pay stubs regularly to make sure all your other deductions look correct. I've found that when you understand what should and shouldn't be there, it's easier to spot any payroll errors early. Plus, keeping good records of your pay stubs can be helpful if you ever need to verify your wage history with NYS Department of Labor.

This thread has been super informative! I'm actually in HR at a small company and we get questions about this from new employees all the time. One thing that might help clarify - New York employers pay unemployment insurance taxes at both the state level (to NYS Department of Labor) and federal level (FUTA). The state rate varies based on the employer's experience rating, but employees never see any of this on their paystubs. We always tell new hires that if they don't see an unemployment deduction, that's exactly what they should expect to see!