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The NYS Department of Labor phone system is impossible to get through to ask about complex situations like this. I spent weeks trying to reach someone about my medical leave situation. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real NYS Department of Labor agent who explained my options. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration trying to navigate the bureaucracy myself.
Never heard of that service before. Did they actually help you get approved for benefits or just connect you to someone?
ugh the whole system is so frustrating when you're dealing with medical issues!! like you're already stressed about your health and then you have to jump through all these hoops just to survive financially. i hope you get approved OP because this situation is exactly what unemployment benefits should be for
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to verify her eligibility, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. It was way easier than trying to call the regular number and getting disconnected. An agent was able to look at my work history and tell me exactly what I qualified for.
Is that one of those paid services? I'm always skeptical of companies that charge you to access government benefits you should be able to get for free.
The whole system is so confusing! I worked full-time for years then became a consultant and thought I'd automatically be covered. Had no idea contractors weren't eligible until I actually needed it. Your sister should definitely file an application even if she's unsure - worst case they'll deny it but at least she'll have an official answer.
Wait, I thought unemployment just meant you don't have a job? There's more to it than that? I've been collecting benefits for two months and nobody told me about keeping a job search log...
I remember when I first learned what unemployment describes - it's not just being out of work, it's being out of work AND meeting all these specific conditions. My sister got denied because she quit her job voluntarily, even though she was technically unemployed. The NYS Department of Labor is very strict about the 'involuntary' part of the unemployment condition.
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and honestly it's a nightmare. The website crashes constantly, you can never get through on the phone, and they make you jump through so many hoops just to get money you're entitled to. But yeah, unemployment insurance is supposed to replace part of your income while you look for new work. Just be prepared for a lot of frustration with their system.
I had similar issues trying to reach them by phone. After weeks of busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a NYS Department of Labor agent in like 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much time and stress when I needed to check on my adjudication status.
Just wanted to add - make sure you apply as soon as possible after losing your job. There's no waiting period in NY, so you can file your claim right away. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start. And don't worry about making mistakes on the application - you can always call to correct information later (though good luck getting through to them on the phone!).
Lia Quinn
The unemployment system is such BS. They make it so complicated to figure out if you qualify and then take forever to make decisions. Even if you have good reasons they'll probably find some way to deny you initially just to save money.
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Haley Stokes
File your claim ASAP regardless. Even if there's a misconduct issue, you can appeal if denied. The worst thing is waiting and missing out on potential benefits while you're looking for work.
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Zane Gray
•Good point, I'll file tomorrow. Better to try and appeal if needed than miss the window completely.
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