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wait but what if the company doesn't actually call you back? my buddy got 'seasonally laid off' and they never brought him back even though they said they would
Just wanted to add - make sure you keep records of your layoff date and any communication from your employer about the seasonal nature and expected return date. NYS DOL may ask for documentation to verify it's truly seasonal and not a permanent separation. Also, if you have any side skills like snow removal or indoor renovation work, you might be able to pick up some temporary income while collecting benefits, just make sure to report any earnings on your weekly certifications.
Just wanted to say I'm in the same boat with the processing delays. It's frustrating not knowing what's normal vs what's a problem.
I work with labor statistics and can confirm the numbers Jamal mentioned are pretty accurate. The NYS Department of Labor publishes their Labor Market Report monthly - you can find it under "Research and Statistics" on their website. As of the latest report, continuing claims (people actively collecting) were around 380,000 statewide. But keep in mind this includes all types of UI benefits. The processing delays you're experiencing are unfortunately common right now - the department has acknowledged staffing shortages in their adjudication units. Three weeks isn't unusual, though I know that doesn't make it less stressful when you're waiting.
I can understand the confusion - there's definitely a lot of outdated information floating around about unemployment benefits. As others have mentioned, the $600 FPUC was a temporary COVID-era benefit that ended years ago. Currently, your NYS Department of Labor benefit is calculated based on your work history and that's what you'll receive. If you need help with other aspects of your claim or have questions about eligibility, the NYS DOL website has a good FAQ section, though I know it can be hard to navigate sometimes. Hang in there!
Thanks for all the helpful info everyone! I'm new to navigating unemployment benefits and it's definitely overwhelming trying to figure out what's current vs outdated information. I appreciate you all taking the time to clarify - saved me from getting my hopes up about money that isn't coming. The NYS DOL website is pretty confusing but at least now I know what to expect with my weekly payments.
I went through the same confusion when I first started collecting benefits! It's really frustrating how many outdated articles pop up when you search for unemployment info. Just to echo what others have said - your $420/week is your current benefit amount and there's no additional federal money right now. One tip that helped me: bookmark the official NYS DOL website and try to get info directly from there rather than random news articles. The system automatically calculates your weekly benefit, so you don't need to do anything special to get what you're entitled to. Good luck with everything!
Yes, if you earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $50, you get zero unemployment that week. So with a $504 benefit, if you earned over $554 in a week, no UI payment. But you can still certify and your claim stays active for the following week.
I've been driving for Uber while collecting UI for about 3 months now. A few things to keep in mind: 1) Track ALL your expenses (gas, car maintenance, phone mount, etc.) because you'll need them for taxes, 2) The $50 deduction Ravi mentioned is correct - it's called the "partial benefit credit", and 3) Consider driving during peak hours (Friday/Saturday nights, rush hour) to maximize your earnings in fewer hours. This way you can still dedicate most of your time to job searching. Also, keep detailed records of your job search activities because NYS Department of Labor can audit your work search requirements at any time.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about the expense tracking - do you use a specific app or just keep receipts? And when you say "peak hours," roughly how many hours per week are you driving to stay within that sweet spot where you're earning decent money but not jeopardizing your job search availability?
Lincoln Ramiro
The whole unemployment system is set up to deny people benefits. These hearings are just another hoop they make you jump through hoping you'll give up. I've seen people with legitimate claims get denied because they didn't phrase something exactly right during the hearing.
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Arjun Kurti
•While the system can be frustrating, many people do win their appeals when they have valid cases. Being prepared and presenting facts clearly makes a big difference.
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Eli Wang
I went through this process about 6 months ago and want to share some practical tips that helped me. First, don't be intimidated - the administrative law judge was actually quite patient and fair. Make sure you have a quiet place for the phone hearing and test your phone connection beforehand. Write down a timeline of events leading to your job separation and practice explaining it clearly. If you were fired, focus on whether it was for misconduct or just poor performance (misconduct can disqualify you, but poor performance usually won't). If you quit, you need to show it was for good cause. The hearing usually lasts 30-60 minutes, and you'll get the decision in writing within 2-3 weeks. Good luck with your appeal!
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Aisha Abdullah
•This is really helpful advice! I'm particularly worried about explaining my situation clearly during the hearing. When you say to practice explaining the timeline, did you actually write it out word for word or just have bullet points? Also, how formal should I sound when talking to the judge - like should I say "Your Honor" or just speak normally?
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