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 :)
Can you get unemployment when you retire from your job in NY?
I'm 62 and thinking about retiring from my job next year but I'm worried about health insurance and covering expenses until I can claim Social Security at 67. A coworker mentioned that some people can get unemployment benefits after retiring but I thought that was only for people who get laid off or fired. Does anyone know if you can actually file for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits when you voluntarily retire? I've been working at the same company for 18 years and paying into the system so I'm hoping there might be some options.
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How the unemployment works - confused about NYS Department of Labor claim process
I just lost my job last week and everyone keeps telling me to file for unemployment but honestly I have no clue how the unemployment works. Like do I just go online and apply? How much money do they give you? Do I have to prove I'm looking for work right away? I've never been unemployed before and the NYS Department of Labor website is really confusing. Can someone explain the basics of how this whole system actually works?
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I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and the website chat never worked for me. I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be worth it if you really need to talk to someone.
It's definitely worth checking out if you're having trouble reaching them through normal channels. Much better than spending your whole day redialing.
The weekly claim questions are pretty straightforward - did you work, did you look for work, are you able and available to work, etc. Just answer truthfully. If you worked any hours that week you have to report it and they'll reduce your benefits accordingly but you might still get partial benefits depending on how much you earned.
This is really helpful, thank you! I feel like I understand the basics now.
How to calculate weekly benefit amount for NYS Department of Labor unemployment - confused about the formula
I'm trying to figure out how much I'll get for weekly unemployment benefits but the NYS Department of Labor website is confusing me. I made $52,000 last year working as a warehouse supervisor. Does anyone know the actual formula they use? I've seen different numbers thrown around and want to make sure I understand what to expect when my claim gets approved. Also do they look at just last year's wages or do they use some kind of base period calculation?
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The NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating!!! I've been trying to understand my benefit calculation for weeks and every time I call I get different information. One person told me they use gross wages, another said they adjust for certain deductions. Which is it??
They definitely use gross wages from your employer's quarterly reports. No adjustments for taxes or deductions. The confusion might be coming from different representatives explaining the base period selection differently.
How does one qualify for unemployment benefits in NY - confused about NYS Department of Labor requirements
I'm completely lost about the whole unemployment qualification process and honestly have no idea where to start. My company just laid me off after working there for 8 months, and everyone keeps telling me I should apply for unemployment but I don't even know if I'm eligible. What exactly are the requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor? Do I need to have worked for a certain amount of time? Is there a minimum wage requirement? I've never been unemployed before and the whole process seems really overwhelming. Any help would be appreciated!
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Don't forget you also have to register for work with the NYS Department of Labor job search website and keep your profile updated. And if you refuse a suitable job offer without good cause, you can lose your benefits. 'Suitable' generally means work that's similar to your previous job in terms of skills and pay, but as time goes on they might expect you to accept lower-paying positions.
How much lower can the pay be before it's not considered suitable anymore?
NYS Department of Labor - what is considered low unemployment rate for job search requirements?
I'm confused about something my case worker mentioned during my reemployment services appointment. She said that because we're in a period of 'low unemployment' I might have stricter job search requirements going forward. I've been filing my weekly claims and doing the required 3 job contacts per week, but now she's saying I might need to expand my search radius and consider jobs paying less than my previous salary. What exactly does NYS Department of Labor consider 'low unemployment' and how does this affect my benefits? I was making $28 per hour as a warehouse supervisor and have been looking for similar positions within 30 miles of my home. Am I going to be forced to take minimum wage jobs now?
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The whole system is rigged against workers!! They push you into jobs that pay nothing while corporations get tax breaks. Low unemployment just means more people working multiple part time jobs to survive. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care if you can actually live on what they're forcing you to accept.
I get the frustration but the requirements are based on labor market conditions. It's not personal.
The current unemployment rate in NY is around 4.1% as of December 2024, so you're definitely in the 'low unemployment' category. Make sure you're documenting everything in your job search log - the expanded radius requirements, salary considerations, and any job rejections. Keep detailed records because if there's ever a question about your eligibility, you'll need proof you were actively searching within the guidelines they gave you.
Thanks, this is really helpful. I'll start documenting the expanded search requirements right away.
Ethan Clark
I had a nightmare trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my eligibility after a layoff. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real person. 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.
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Zara Mirza
AuthorThanks, I'll definitely look into that if I need to speak with someone directly about my options.
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AstroAce
The whole unemployment system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere? I'm in a similar boat trying to figure out if I can retire early without losing everything.
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