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The NYS Department of Labor system is SO broken. They'll find any excuse to deny claims these days. I got denied initially because they said I 'abandoned my job' when I was actually laid off due to COVID cutbacks. Had to appeal and wait 3 months for a hearing. Even when you're clearly eligible they make it impossible.
Don't panic yet. If you were truly laid off and have 14 months of work history, you should be fine. The key things to watch for: make sure you file your weekly claims on time, keep detailed job search records (you need 3 employer contacts per week), and respond immediately to any requests for information. Most denials happen because people miss deadlines or don't provide required documentation.
3 employer contacts per week seems like a lot! Do online applications count or do I need to actually talk to people?
yeah the unemployment rate being low is actually annoying because now they expect you to find work faster. but like the benefits are still there if you qualify so might as well use them while you look
Low unemployment doesn't mean good jobs are easy to find - just that more people are working, often multiple part-time jobs with no benefits. Don't let statistics discourage you from claiming benefits you've earned through your work history. The NYS Department of Labor system exists for exactly these situations.
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about this same question. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual agent in like 15 minutes. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Super helpful for getting answers about tax withholding and other claim questions.
I've been through the system multiple times and honestly the hardest part is dealing with NYS Department of Labor when something goes wrong. The phone lines are always busy and if your claim gets stuck in adjudication you might wait weeks without pay. I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration last time I had issues.
The thing people don't realize is that unemployment isn't just free money - you're required to actively look for work and document your job search activities. NYS Department of Labor can audit your claims and if you haven't been searching properly, they can make you pay benefits back. It's insurance against involuntary job loss, not a vacation fund.
Millie Long
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about the appeal process, I recently found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was getting nowhere trying to call on my own but this got me connected within a few hours. Might be worth checking out since time is important with the 30-day appeal deadline.
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KaiEsmeralda
•sounds too good to be true honestly. how much does something like that cost?
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Millie Long
•I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't charge anything upfront and the value is definitely worth it when you consider how impossible it is to reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor normally. The video explains everything.
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Debra Bai
same boat here! was told i abandoned my job even tho i gave 2 weeks notice and everything. gonna appeal but man this whole process is exhausting. good luck with yours!
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