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just quit my job last month and got denied immediately... didn't know about the good cause thing. can i appeal or am i screwed?
The whole system is so unfair. They make it nearly impossible to prove 'good cause' unless you have perfect documentation. Most people don't think to document harassment when it's happening because they're just trying to survive the situation.
This whole system is ridiculous! They expect you to live on practically nothing while still taking out the same child support as if you're making full wages. How are we supposed to pay rent AND child support on $400 a week??
@Ethan Davis is right that kids need support, but @Aisha Abdullah raises a valid point about the financial strain. The system doesn t automatically'adjust for reduced income - you have to proactively request a modification through the court or child support office. It s definitely'worth looking into if your unemployment benefits are significantly less than your previous wages. The modification process can take time though, so don t wait'if you re struggling'to make ends meet.
You should definitely contact the Support Collection Unit directly to confirm your specific situation. While automatic deductions are common, the timing can vary - sometimes it takes a few weeks for the systems to sync up between NYS DOL and child support enforcement. In the meantime, I'd recommend setting aside what you normally pay so you don't fall behind if the automatic deduction hasn't kicked in yet. Also keep all your unemployment documentation - you may need it if you decide to request a modification later.
When I bought my house in 2019 my mortgage broker mentioned unemployment insurance but I declined it because it seemed expensive at the time. Now I wish I had gotten it! Make sure you're also doing your weekly job search requirements for NYS Department of Labor - missing those can mess up your benefits. You need to document 3 job contacts per week and they're stricter about it now than they used to be.
I'm in a similar situation and found that some credit unions offer better mortgage protection options than big banks. Also, don't forget to check if you qualify for any utility assistance programs while you're on NYS Department of Labor benefits - many utility companies have hardship programs that can free up some money for your mortgage. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local assistance programs in your area. They helped me find food assistance which reduced my grocery budget and gave me more room for housing costs.
DON'T FORGET TO FILE YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS! I missed one week because I thought since I was approved the payments would just come automatically. WRONG. Had to call and explain and it was a nightmare. You have to certify every single week that you're still unemployed and looking for work.
The first payment usually takes longer than the rest, mine took almost two weeks but after that it was pretty regular. Make sure you have all your job search documentation ready too because they can audit you at any time.
What kind of documentation do they want for job searches? I've been applying to places but not really keeping detailed records.
You need to keep records of where you applied, when you applied, and what type of job it was. I keep a simple spreadsheet with company name, position, date applied, and how I applied (online, in person, etc.). NYS requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week. They can ask for this documentation anytime so it's better to be prepared from the start!
Omar Zaki
I remember last summer when I was collecting, I got so confused about the whole "effective days" thing. Kept thinking I was getting shorted money. Turns out NY unemployment has this weird way of calculating where each day equals 1/4 of your weekly benefit. Anyone else find that super confusing?
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Isabella Oliveira
•Yes, that's a NY-specific quirk that confuses everyone! NY unemployment uses a system of "effective days" where each week has a maximum of 4 effective days. Each effective day equals 1/4 of your weekly benefit amount. So if your weekly benefit is $600, each effective day is worth $150. If you work part-time during a claim week, they reduce your effective days, which reduces your payment proportionally.
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Ellie Simpson
Just want to add that your friend should also make sure he meets the basic eligibility requirements before applying. He needs to have worked and earned wages in at least 2 of the last 4 calendar quarters, and his job loss can't be due to misconduct or quitting without good cause. If he was laid off from the warehouse (which sounds like the case), he should be fine. The good news is that warehouse workers often have straightforward cases since layoffs are usually clearly documented. Hope this helps and good luck to your friend!
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