New York Unemployment
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Can't reach New York Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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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
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 are the qualifications to file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?
I'm thinking about filing for unemployment benefits but I'm not really sure if I qualify. I was working part-time at a retail store for about 8 months before they let me go last week due to budget cuts. Before that I had a full-time job for 2 years that I left because my supervisor was making the workplace really hostile. I'm wondering what the basic qualifications are to file with NYS Department of Labor? Do I need to have worked a certain number of hours or made a minimum amount? Also does it matter why I left my previous jobs?
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Is unemployment insurance mandatory for all NY workers? Confused about coverage requirements
I just started a new job at a small company in Brooklyn and I'm trying to understand if unemployment insurance is mandatory. My boss mentioned something about it being automatic but I want to make sure I understand what this means for me as an employee. Do I have to pay into it? Is it something that happens automatically through payroll? I've never really thought about this before but want to be prepared in case something happens to my job. Can someone explain how this works in New York?
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How long it takes for unemployment benefits to start in NY - my timeline so far
I'm trying to figure out how long it takes for unemployment benefits to actually start coming through after you file your initial claim with NYS Department of Labor. I submitted my application online about 10 days ago and I'm getting anxious because I haven't heard anything yet except the confirmation email. My claim status just says 'under review' when I check my.ny.gov. I lost my job at a restaurant in Queens and I really need to know when I can expect my first payment. Can anyone share their recent experience with how long the whole process took from filing to getting paid?
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Just wanted to add that sometimes there can be delays if they need to verify your employment history or if there's any question about why you became unemployed. Restaurant workers sometimes have issues if there are questions about tips or if the employer contests the claim. Hopefully that's not your situation but just something to be aware of.
Oh no, now I'm worried. My manager was pretty angry when they had to let people go. Could they really contest my claim?
How do I fill out unemployment application correctly - NYS Department of Labor first time filer
I just got laid off from my retail job last week and I need to apply for unemployment benefits but I'm completely lost on how to fill out the application. I went to the my.ny.gov website but there's so many questions and I don't want to mess anything up. Do I need my tax forms? What about if I worked two different jobs this year? Also confused about the part that asks about my last day of work vs when I was told I was being laid off. Can someone walk me through the basic steps of how to fill this out properly? I'm really stressed about getting this wrong and delaying my benefits.
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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.
That sounds helpful, did they charge you for it?
Yeah there's a fee but honestly it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of sitting on hold for hours. Much faster than trying to get through the regular way.
What's the maximum unemployment benefit amount in NY right now?
I'm filling out my NYS Department of Labor application and trying to figure out what my weekly benefit amount might be. I was making around $75,000 last year working in tech. Does anyone know what the current maximum weekly unemployment benefit is? I've seen different numbers online and want to make sure I understand what to expect when my claim gets processed.
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just to add my 2 cents - the $504 max hasnt changed much in recent years which is frustrating when everything else costs more. my cousin in california gets way more than that for unemployment
Each state sets their own maximum benefit rates. New York's $504 is actually middle of the pack compared to other states, though you're right that it hasn't kept up with inflation as well as some other states have.
Dananyl Lear
I was in a similar situation last year - got laid off from part time work. The thing that surprised me is they look at ALL your wages during the base period, not just your most recent job. So even though my recent job was only part time, my earlier full time work helped me qualify for a higher benefit amount. Definitely file even if you're not 100% sure you qualify - the worst they can say is no.
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Ayla Kumar
AuthorThat's really good to know! I was worried the part-time hours might hurt my chances but sounds like my previous full-time job will actually help.
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Noah huntAce420
The NYS Department of Labor website has a benefit calculator where you can estimate if you qualify and how much you might get. Just search for 'unemployment benefit calculator' on their site. It's not 100% accurate but gives you a good idea before you file your claim.
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