Are students eligible for unemployment benefits in New York - confused about NYS Department of Labor rules

Yes, students can be eligible for unemployment benefits in New York! The key is that you need to have earned enough wages in your base period and be able and available for work. Being a student doesn't automatically disqualify you from NYS Department of Labor benefits. However, your school schedule can't interfere with your ability to accept suitable work. You'll need to show that you're genuinely looking for work and available during normal business hours.

I tried filing when I was in grad school and got denied initially because they said I wasn't available for full-time work. Had to appeal and prove that my class schedule was flexible enough to accommodate work. It was a hassle but I eventually got approved.

The NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you're 'able and available' for work. If your school schedule limits your availability to only evenings or weekends, that could be a problem. But if you can show you're available for substantial hours and actively seeking work, student status alone won't disqualify you. Make sure you document your job search efforts carefully - they'll want to see you're genuinely looking for employment that fits your availability.

Ugh the whole system is so confusing! I was in a similar situation last year and couldn't get a straight answer from anyone. Called the NYS Department of Labor like 50 times and kept getting different responses. Finally gave up because I couldn't get through to anyone who actually knew the rules.

just make sure ur not getting financial aid that could affect things. sometimes theres conflicts between student aid and unemployment benefits but idk the specifics

My cousin went through this exact situation when she was finishing her nursing program. The trick is proving you're genuinely available for work despite being in school. She had to show that her clinical rotations were flexible and she could work around them. Got approved eventually but it took some back and forth with adjudication.

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation as a part-time student working retail! From what I've learned through my own research and filing process, the key factors NYS Department of Labor considers are: 1) You must have earned sufficient wages during your base period (usually first 4 of last 5 completed quarters), 2) You must be physically able to work, 3) You must be available for work during hours when jobs in your field are typically available, and 4) You must be actively seeking work. The student status itself isn't disqualifying, but your class schedule can't severely limit your availability. I'd recommend calling during off-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) to speak with someone directly about your specific situation, since every case is different based on your work history and school schedule.