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The NY system is just BROKEN. I waited 8 weeks last year and when I finally got through they told me I had been approved 3 weeks earlier but nobody bothered to update my account! The whole NYS Department of Labor system needs an overhaul.
NY does take longer but there are reasons. Higher cost of living means higher benefit amounts so they verify more carefully. Plus the sheer population - NYS Department of Labor handles way more claims than smaller states. It's frustrating but the thoroughness actually protects legitimate claimants from system abuse that could slow things down even more.
Just went through this whole process last month when my company downsized. The good news is that as long as your employer has been paying their unemployment taxes to the NYS Department of Labor, you'll be eligible for benefits if you need them. When I called to check my claim status I had trouble getting through to anyone at the NYS Department of Labor though. Someone recommended using claimyr.com to help get through to agents faster - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.
How do you know if your employer has been paying their taxes properly? Is there a way to check that?
Make sure he meets all the job search requirements too! Even though he's on disability, if he's collecting unemployment he still needs to be actively looking for work and documenting it. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't care about your other benefits when it comes to the work search requirement.
Good point! Since he can only work part-time due to his disability, can he limit his job search to part-time positions only?
This whole system is so confusing. Why can't they just have clear answers on their website about these common situations? I swear the NYS Department of Labor makes everything more complicated than it needs to be.
The whole system is backwards! They penalize you for having skills and education. I've been unemployed for 4 months with a PhD and they act like I'm being picky when I don't apply to be a cashier. The 'suitable work' standards are a joke - they change the rules depending on who's reviewing your case.
Chloe Davis
Wait, what's the base period thing? I've only been working for 8 months at my current job. Does that mean I wouldn't qualify if I got laid off tomorrow?
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NeonNebula
•The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January-December 2024. You need sufficient wages during that time period to qualify. If you've only worked 8 months, you might still qualify depending on when you started and how much you earned.
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AstroAlpha
also know that if you get any severance pay or vacation payout it might delay when your benefits start!! learned this the hard way
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Malik Thomas
•Oh wow I never thought about that. Good to know for planning purposes.
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