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If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor about employer questions or need to discuss your account, you might want to check out claimyr.com. They help people get through to actual agents when the phone lines are backed up. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I used it last month when I needed to clarify some reporting requirements and couldn't get through the regular employer hotline.
Also keep detailed records of everything - termination dates, reasons for separation, any disciplinary actions. NYS Department of Labor will request this information when processing claims and having organized documentation can help if you need to contest anything. The experience rating system typically looks at a 3-year window, so it takes time for your rates to improve after a bad year.
One thing that helped me was using a service called Claimyr when I had a complex case I needed to discuss with an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. Their phone lines are impossible to get through normally, but this service (claimyr.com) got me connected to someone who could actually explain the employer rules. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me time instead of sitting on hold for hours.
wait hold on, if you got fired for performance can you even get unemployment?? I thought you had to be laid off not terminated??
You can still get benefits if you were fired, as long as it wasn't for misconduct. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful or you refused to follow direct orders. NYS Department of Labor will investigate and make the determination.
If you're having trouble navigating the NYS Department of Labor website for this data, you might want to try calling them directly. I know their phone lines are usually swamped, but I recently discovered 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. Could be useful if you need specific clarification on how they calculate these rates.
Freya Andersen
The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. 26 weeks goes by FAST especially in this job market. I burned through my benefits last year and ended up having to take a job paying way less than what I was making before. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't care if you find something decent or not.
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Omar Farouk
Same situation here! Got my approval letter and everything looks good. The 26 weeks should be plenty of time to find something better than my old job.
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