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 percentage of unemployment does the employer pay - NYS Department of Labor contributions explained
I'm trying to understand how unemployment insurance works in New York. What percentage of my unemployment benefits does my former employer actually pay? I know they pay into the system but I'm confused about whether they pay a percentage of my specific claim or if it's just general contributions to the NYS Department of Labor fund. My coworker said employers pay 100% but that doesn't sound right to me. Can someone explain how the employer contribution system actually works?
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Who pays unemployment insurance tax - confused about NYS Department of Labor deductions
I just started a new job in retail and noticed something called 'NYS UI' being deducted from my paycheck. My manager said it's unemployment insurance tax but I'm confused - I thought only employers paid into unemployment? Is NYS Department of Labor taking money from my check for unemployment benefits? This is my first job so I have no idea how this works. The deduction is only like $3 but I want to understand what I'm paying for.
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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.
Good to know for the future! Hopefully I won't need unemployment anytime soon but it's helpful to know there are ways to actually reach someone at NYS Department of Labor if needed.
Can you get NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits if you resign from a job?
I'm thinking about quitting my job because my manager has been making the workplace really hostile and I can't take it anymore. But I'm worried about money and need to know - if you resign from a job can you get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor? I've heard different things from people and want to make sure I understand the rules before I make this decision. Has anyone been approved for UI after resigning? What counts as a good reason?
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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.
I totally agree - the whole system is stacked against workers who are just trying to protect their mental health.
Is unemployment high in NY right now - should I be worried about finding work?
I just got laid off from my retail job last week and filed for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor. My claim got approved but now I'm starting to worry about how long it might take to find another job. Is unemployment high right now in New York? I keep hearing different things on the news and I'm getting anxious about whether I'll be able to find work before my benefits run out. Has anyone else been job searching recently? How's the market looking?
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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.
This is so true. I finally found work but it's only 20 hours a week so I'm still filing partial claims.
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.
What are the main reasons to get denied unemployment benefits by NYS Department of Labor?
I'm helping my sister understand why her unemployment claim might get rejected. She's worried about applying because she heard there are lots of ways NYS Department of Labor can deny you. Can someone explain the most common reasons people get their claims denied? She quit her last job because her boss was making the workplace really toxic, but I'm not sure if that counts as good cause. Also what happens if you get denied - can you appeal it?
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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
That sounds helpful! My sister has been dreading having to call if she gets denied. How long do appeals usually take to get resolved?
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
AuthorInteresting, 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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