


Ask the community...
ugh the whole system is so confusing! I was underemployed for like 3 months last year and could never figure out if I was doing the weekly claims right. kept getting different answers every time I called NYS Department of Labor
Getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone is always a nightmare. If you're still having trouble with claims, I heard about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people get connected to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.
I think there's also something about being able and available for work that's different between the two situations. Like if you're underemployed, you still have to prove you're looking for additional work or a better job, not just settling for the reduced hours.
I had trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. A friend recommended trying claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to actual NYS Department of Labor agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Ended up being really helpful for getting my questions answered about wage calculations.
Just to add - even if your employer goes out of business or stops paying their unemployment taxes, you're still covered. The state has systems in place to handle those situations. Your benefits come from the unemployment insurance fund that all employers pay into, not from your specific employer's account.
wait so if my company has had a lot of layoffs does that mean they pay more in unemployment taxes?? that seems backwards since they're already struggling financially
Avery Davis
The issue with unemployment isn't just NYS Department of Labor - it's that the whole concept puts people in limbo between jobs. You're dealing with bureaucracy when you're already stressed about money and finding work. Plus they make you jump through hoops to prove you're looking for jobs when most of us are already doing that anyway. It's like they assume everyone is trying to cheat the system.
0 coins
Collins Angel
•exactly! and then they act surprised when people get frustrated. like sorry for being stressed about paying rent while your system takes forever to process a simple claim
0 coins
Marcelle Drum
From a practical standpoint, the best approach is to stay on top of your weekly certifications, keep detailed job search records, and respond immediately to any requests for information. I know it seems overwhelming but the system does work if you follow all the procedures exactly. Most delays happen when people miss deadlines or don't provide complete documentation.
0 coins
Rajan Walker
•That makes sense. I think part of my problem was not understanding how strict they are about deadlines. I'll be more careful going forward.
0 coins