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Wait I'm confused too - if we're already paying into unemployment insurance through payroll deductions, why do some people have trouble getting approved for benefits? Shouldn't it be automatic if we've been paying in?
Paying the tax doesn't guarantee approval - you still have to meet eligibility requirements like being unemployed through no fault of your own, actively seeking work, and having sufficient work history. The tax just funds the program, but NYS Department of Labor still has to verify you qualify for benefits under the rules.
If you ever need to contact NYS Department of Labor about unemployment benefits, I'd recommend checking out claimyr.com - they help people get through to actual agents instead of dealing with the busy phone lines. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I used it when I had questions about my claim status and it saved me hours of trying to call.
The NYS Department of Labor system is so unfair when it comes to people quitting toxic jobs! They expect you to stay in abusive situations just to qualify for benefits. It's ridiculous that the burden is on workers to prove their workplace was unbearable.
The unemployment rate might be 'low' but that doesn't tell the whole story about job quality or wages. A lot of these new jobs are part-time or gig work that won't even disqualify you from UI benefits if the hours are low enough. The system is broken and these statistics don't reflect reality for working people.
I was in the same boat as you back in March. Took me about 6 weeks to find something decent but I did find work. Just stay consistent with your job search and keep filing your weekly claims on time. The key is applying to stuff even if it's not your dream job - you can always keep looking once you're working again.
If she does get denied, yes she can absolutely appeal. You have 30 days from the determination date to file an appeal with NYS Department of Labor. The appeal goes to an administrative law judge who reviews the case independently. I've had good luck reaching actual agents to discuss my case by using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they help you get through to NYS Department of Labor phone agents instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
omg thank you for mentioning claimyr! i've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my adjudication and can never get through. definitely checking this out
Dominique Adams
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact question last month. Kept getting busy signals and when I finally got through they transferred me three times. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent who explained the whole employer contribution system. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works - basically they handle the calling for you so you don't have to sit on hold forever.
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Abby Marshall
•Interesting, I might need to try that if I have more questions. The NYS Department of Labor phone system is impossible.
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Marilyn Dixon
Just to add - in New York, employees don't contribute anything to unemployment insurance. It's entirely funded by employer contributions to the NYS Department of Labor. Some states make employees pay a small percentage but not NY.
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