Are you eligible for unemployment - confused about NYS Department of Labor requirements after layoff
Just got laid off from my retail job last week and honestly have no idea if I'm even eligible for unemployment benefits. I worked there for about 18 months but it was only part-time, usually around 25-30 hours per week. My manager said something about filing with NYS Department of Labor but I don't know what the requirements are. Do you have to work full-time to qualify? What about if you were let go because of slow business rather than being fired for cause? I'm 22 and this is my first time dealing with unemployment so I'm completely lost on what I need to do or if I even qualify.
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Jamal Carter
You can definitely be eligible even with part-time work! NYS Department of Labor looks at your earnings over the past 18 months, not just whether you worked full-time. Since you worked 18 months, you should have enough work history. Being laid off due to slow business actually makes you eligible - that's considered 'no fault of your own' termination. You'll need to file your initial claim online and then do weekly claims to certify you're looking for work.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Oh that's a relief! I was worried the part-time thing would disqualify me. Do I file online through the my.ny.gov website?
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AstroAdventurer
yeah i got UI after working part time at target, you just need to have earned enough in your base period which is like the first 4 of the last 5 quarters before you filed
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Mei Liu
•That's right - they calculate your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter during that base period. Even part-time earnings can qualify you as long as you meet the minimum thresholds.
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Liam O'Sullivan
Getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone is nearly impossible these days. I spent weeks trying to get someone to explain my eligibility when my claim was in adjudication. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent who walked me through everything. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration compared to calling directly.
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Amara Chukwu
•Never heard of that before... did they charge you? I've been trying to get through for days about my claim status.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Yeah there's a fee but honestly worth it when you can't get through any other way. Much faster than waiting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.
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Giovanni Conti
The whole system is so confusing! I was eligible but didn't realize I had to do the job search activities every week. Make sure you keep track of your job contacts because they can ask for your log anytime.
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Jamal Carter
•Good point - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep records. You can do this through online applications, in-person visits, networking contacts, etc. NYS Department of Labor has specific requirements about what counts as a valid job contact.
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