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The NYS Department of Labor phone system is absolutely useless for getting claim status updates. I spent hours trying to get through just to ask about my payment timeline. If you really need to talk to someone about your claim, I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DELAY PAYMENTS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!! They make you jump through hoops and wait weeks just hoping you'll give up and find a job before they have to pay out. I've been waiting 5 weeks for my appeal decision and still nothing.
The whole system is rigged against workers!!! They deny people left and right hoping you'll just give up and not appeal. I've seen so many people get wrongfully denied and then have to fight for months to get what they deserved in the first place. Document EVERYTHING and don't let them intimidate you!
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact question last month. Kept getting busy signals and their callback system never worked. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person in like 10 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. The agent explained that I should keep filing regardless of unemployment rates since my job search could take months.
Make sure you're also keeping track of your state disability insurance contributions if you have employees. That follows a similar schedule but different rates. NYS Department of Labor has all the forms on their employer portal.
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor employer issues for months trying to get through to someone about changing our deposit schedule. The phone system is absolutely terrible - keeps disconnecting or putting me on hold for hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much time and frustration.
Aidan Hudson
Wait, I thought business owners couldn't get unemployment at all? My cousin owned a restaurant and when it closed during COVID he couldn't get regular unemployment, only got some business assistance stuff.
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Emma Swift
That's a common misconception. Corporate officers who take W-2 wages and pay unemployment taxes are generally eligible. It's sole proprietors and partners who typically can't collect. The restaurant owner was probably unincorporated or didn't pay SUTA on his own wages.
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Max Knight
•This gives me hope. I definitely paid all the taxes properly. Going to gather all my records and request that hearing. Thank you for the guidance!
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