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The system is rigged against working people! They make it so hard to get benefits even when you have legitimate reasons for leaving. I've seen people get denied for the most ridiculous reasons. But definitely try if you have good cause - just be prepared for a fight.
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about your specific situation, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people reach unemployment agents by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it when I was stuck in adjudication and couldn't get anyone on the phone for weeks. Really helped me get answers about my claim status.
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask specific questions about your situation, I recently discovered claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me when I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone.
Is that legit? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for 2 weeks about my claim status and keep getting disconnected.
For job search activities, make sure you're logging everything in their system. Online applications count but you need the company name and position title. Networking activities need specific details about who you contacted. Career counseling sessions and job fairs also qualify. The key is documentation - they can audit your job search log at any time.
The job search thing is no joke - you need to keep detailed records of every application, networking contact, job fair etc. NYS Department of Labor can audit your job search log at any time and if you don't have proper documentation they can disqualify you and make you pay back benefits. I learned this the hard way.
The WHOLE SYSTEM is designed to make you jump through hoops and deny you benefits! They'll find ANY excuse to delay or deny your claim. I've been fighting with NYS Department of Labor for months over a simple separation issue. They make it so complicated on purpose to discourage people from applying. Just be prepared for frustration and bureaucratic nonsense.
Haley Stokes
wait so if I only worked 3 months total in the past year I probably don't qualify right?? this is confusing
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Alejandro Castro
•It depends on how much you earned in those 3 months. If you made enough to meet the minimum wage requirements in your highest quarter, you might still qualify. But 3 months of work typically isn't enough unless you were making really good money.
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Asher Levin
The whole system is ridiculous honestly. I worked for 2 years straight and when I finally needed unemployment they found some technicality to deny me initially. Had to appeal and everything. NYS Department of Labor makes it so unnecessarily complicated just to get benefits you've earned.
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Serene Snow
•Same here, such a hassle dealing with them. But hang in there OP, sounds like you should be fine with your work history.
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