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The whole system is designed to confuse people and make them give up on benefits they've earned! I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and they keep changing the rules or giving different answers depending on who you talk to. 26 weeks, 104 days, partial this, partial that - it's all bureaucratic nonsense designed to save them money at our expense.
just went through this myself. its 26 weeks max, no extensions right now that i know of. make sure ur doing the job search requirements too or they'll cut u off
What are the current job search requirements? I thought since I'm still working part-time I might be exempt from those.
The NYS Department of Labor system is SO broken. They'll find any excuse to deny you or drag out the process. I've been fighting an adjudication for 6 weeks now over something completely ridiculous. They act like they're doing you a favor when it's YOUR money that you paid into the system!
The whole system is ridiculous. I made $65K last year and only get $387 a week. Meanwhile my rent alone is $1,800 a month. How are we supposed to survive on these amounts while looking for work?
For anyone still confused about the calculation: NYS Department of Labor looks at your four highest quarters of earnings in your base period, adds them up to see if you qualify, then uses ONLY your single highest quarter to calculate the weekly amount. So if your highest quarter was $13,000, you'd get roughly $250 per week (13,000 ÷ 26 ÷ 2). The exact formula has some variations but that's the basic idea.
The NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating!! I've been waiting 4 weeks for my claim to be approved and they keep asking for more documentation. First they wanted my separation letter, then they wanted proof of my previous wages, now they want something else. It's like they're trying to make it impossible to get benefits!
Drake
Wait I'm confused - if you get fired do you still have to do the job search requirements? I thought that was only if you quit or got laid off. This whole unemployment thing is so complicated!!!
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James Martinez
•Yes, you still need to meet job search requirements regardless of why you're unemployed. NYS Department of Labor requires you to actively look for work and document your job search activities for your weekly claims.
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Sarah Jones
Good luck! I was so worried when I got fired but the unemployment process was actually pretty straightforward. Just be honest about everything and keep all your documentation from your employer.
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