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Ugh the NYS Department of Labor forms are so confusing! I spent forever trying to figure out what they wanted for this question too. I ended up calling but couldn't get through to anyone - typical. If you're having trouble reaching them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.
How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money while waiting for my claim to process.
Just be honest on the form. If you have any kind of supplemental insurance through work that covers accidents, sickness, or unemployment, report it. If you don't have any of these coverages (most people don't), then mark no. The workers' comp situation you mentioned is totally separate and wouldn't go in this section.
Honestly this whole conversation reminds me of when I was laid off last year and couldn't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks. The irony of discussing 'healthy unemployment' when the system for helping unemployed people is so broken... but I guess that's a different issue entirely.
Sorry you had trouble reaching them. If you ever need to get through to NYS Department of Labor agents again, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that handles the calling for you. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.
The way I think about it is like this - if unemployment is at zero, it means the economy has no shock absorbers. When recessions hit (and they always do), you need some flexibility in the labor market to adjust without everything collapsing. Plus zero unemployment usually means wages have gotten so high that companies start automating jobs or moving operations elsewhere.
The whole system is such a mess. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and they keep changing the rules or at least that's how it feels. One week they want one thing, next week it's something else. Just document EVERYTHING and hope for the best.
I had the same issue with getting through to someone when I had questions about my application. Spent hours on hold with NYS Department of Labor. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real person at the unemployment office without all the waiting. They have a video demo showing exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much time when I needed to clarify some details about my application.
Darren Brooks
I had a similar situation where I couldn't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to check on my contested claim status. After weeks of busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to real agents. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration trying to call myself.
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Rosie Harper
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they charge you a lot to make the call?
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Darren Brooks
•They focus more on the convenience factor rather than cost. For me it was worth it just to finally talk to someone about my claim instead of getting hung up on constantly.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
Been through this twice now. Your employer can definitely make things difficult by contesting but NYS Department of Labor usually sides with the employee if you were legitimately laid off. Just make sure you have any documentation about your layoff and keep filing your weekly claims even during the adjudication process.
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