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The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a joke honestly. They make it impossible to get real information about your claim and then act like it's your fault when you can't figure out what's going on. I've been waiting 3 weeks just to talk to someone about why my payments stopped!
Pro tip: if your claim shows 'Under Review,' check the 'Correspondence' section in your online account. NYS Department of Labor often sends messages there that require a response, and if you miss them, your claim can get stuck in limbo. Also make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while it's under review - that's super important.
If you're having trouble getting through the website or need help with the application, I actually used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach a NYS Department of Labor agent directly. Sometimes the website can be confusing for first-time filers and it's helpful to talk to someone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
Whatever you do, DON'T wait to apply! I made that mistake thinking I'd find another job quickly and missed out on weeks of benefits. The NYS Department of Labor has a one-week waiting period anyway, so the sooner you file the better. And yes, it's all online now - they closed most of the physical offices during COVID and never reopened them.
The whole system is messed up!! They expect people to report from jail when you can barely make a phone call and the phones cost like $5 a minute. Then they want their money back like you planned to get arrested. My brother went through this and it took months to sort out the overpayment even though he reported it right away.
I work in a law office and see this all the time. The data matching between correctional facilities and NYS Department of Labor usually catches incarceration within 1-3 weeks, but the person is still responsible for any overpayments during that delay period. Your friend should absolutely have someone report this ASAP to minimize the overpayment amount.
honestly the whole unemployment system is such a pain... i filed when my company just stopped paying everyone and it took forever to get anything sorted out. but yeah you should definitely file, they cant expect you to work for free!!!
Ellie Simpson
definitely file!! the worst they can say is no and at least you'll know for sure. restaurant workers get screwed over all the time with hour cuts, you deserve benefits if you qualify
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Arjun Kurti
•This exactly. The system is designed to help people in situations like yours. Don't let them intimidate you out of applying.
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Raúl Mora
One thing to keep in mind is that you have to be separated from work through no fault of your own. Since your hours were cut by the employer and you didn't quit or get fired for misconduct, you should be fine on that requirement. Just be honest about your situation when you file your claim and during any potential phone interviews.
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