New York Unemployment

CommunityGovernment Services

Can't reach New York Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.

$19.99StandardOne price

Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.

Using Claimyr will:

  • Connect you to a human agent at the NYDOL
  • Skip the long phone menu
  • Call the correct department
  • Redial until on hold
  • Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
  • Give you free callbacks if the NYDOL drops your call
Fox KTVUABC 7CBSSan Francisco Chronicle


Ask the community...

  • DO post questions about your issues.
  • DO answer questions and support each other.
  • DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
  • DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)

What happens if you apply for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?

I might need to file for unemployment soon and I'm honestly clueless about the whole process. What actually happens when you apply for unemployment through NYS Department of Labor? Like do they contact your employer right away? How long does it take to get approved? Do you have to prove you're looking for work immediately? I've never been unemployed before and I'm kind of freaking out about the whole thing. Any advice would be really helpful.

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.

0 coins

omg yes this! I got audited and almost lost my benefits because I wasn't keeping good records

0 coins

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.

0 coins

That's really discouraging to hear. I was hoping it would be more straightforward than that.

0 coins

While the system can be frustrating, most straightforward claims do get processed without major issues. Don't let horror stories scare you from applying if you're eligible.

0 coins

What is unemployment based on - confused about NYS Department of Labor eligibility requirements

I'm trying to understand what unemployment benefits are actually based on. I know you have to lose your job through no fault of your own, but I'm confused about how they calculate the amount you get and what other requirements there are. I worked part-time for the last two years at different jobs and I'm not sure if I even qualify. Can someone explain what NYS Department of Labor looks at when determining if you're eligible and how much you'll receive? I've been reading their website but it's really confusing with all the technical terms.

Also keep in mind that if you worked in multiple states, things get more complicated. NYS Department of Labor will coordinate with other states through interstate claims, but it can delay processing. And if you're on standby status (temporary layoff expecting to return), the rules are slightly different - you don't have to do job searches but you do have to remain available.

0 coins

The whole system is so confusing! I wish they would just tell you upfront if you qualify instead of making you jump through hoops. At least once you're approved the weekly claims are pretty straightforward.

0 coins

The complexity comes from all the different work situations they have to account for. But yes, once you understand your specific situation, the weekly certification process is much simpler.

0 coins

Do taxes come out of unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?

I just started receiving unemployment benefits and I'm confused about the tax situation. When I look at my payment stub on my.ny.gov, it shows the full benefit amount but I'm wondering if taxes are automatically taken out or if I need to handle that myself? I don't want to get hit with a huge tax bill next year. Can someone explain how this works with NYS Department of Labor payments?

I've been trying to update my tax withholding for weeks but the my.ny.gov website keeps timing out when I try to access payment preferences. Has anyone else had this issue? I really don't want to deal with calling NYS Department of Labor because the wait times are insane.

0 coins

I had luck using Claimyr to get through to an actual agent who helped me update my withholding over the phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.

0 coins

Thanks! I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to avoid the phone nightmare.

0 coins

Wait, so if I'm getting $400 a week and I elect for tax withholding, they'll take out $40 each week? That seems like a lot when you're already struggling financially.

0 coins

It's 10% for federal taxes only. You'll still owe state taxes when you file your return, but at least the federal portion is covered. It's better to have it taken out gradually than to owe hundreds or thousands all at once.

0 coins

How does someone qualify for unemployment in NY - confused about NYS Department of Labor requirements

I'm trying to help my sister figure out if she can get unemployment benefits but honestly I'm confused about all the requirements. She worked at a restaurant for about 8 months before they let her go last week because business was slow. She made around $400 a week when she was working full time. Does anyone know what the basic qualifications are for NYS Department of Labor unemployment? Like how long do you have to work and how much do you need to earn? I've heard different things from different people and want to make sure she doesn't waste time applying if she won't qualify.

Make sure she applies as soon as possible! There's a waiting week but benefits are only paid from the week you actually file, not from when she lost her job. Also she can't have quit voluntarily or been fired for misconduct - sounds like neither applies to her situation since it was a layoff.

0 coins

Good point about filing right away. She's been putting it off because she wasn't sure if she qualified but sounds like she should just go ahead and apply.

0 coins

same thing happened to my cousin last year, restaurant laid her off and she got approved no problem. the hardest part is just waiting for them to process everything

0 coins

NYS Department of Labor - which of the following is a way to reduce unemployment benefits claim issues?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to reduce unemployment claim problems with NYS Department of Labor. My weekly claims keep getting flagged and I'm dealing with constant adjudication delays. I've been unemployed for 6 weeks now and every week there's some new issue with my certification. Has anyone found effective ways to reduce these ongoing problems with their UI claims? I'm getting desperate here because my savings are running out.

Make sure you're not working ANY hours during weeks you claim benefits, even if it's just a few hours of freelance work. That's what caused my adjudication nightmare last year. NYS Department of Labor flagged every week where I had even minimal earnings and it took forever to sort out.

0 coins

Oh no, I did some gig work two weeks ago and reported it. Should I be worried about that causing more delays?

0 coins

The key is documentation. Keep records of EVERYTHING - every job application, every phone call, every email. When adjudication happens, having detailed records helps resolve things faster. Also never miss a weekly claim deadline even if you think there might be issues.

0 coins

Prev1...825826827828829...1378Next