Can I apply for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor - eligibility questions
I'm trying to figure out if I can apply for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor but I'm not sure if I qualify. I worked for about 8 months at a retail job before they laid me off last week due to slow business. I made around $28,000 during that time. Is that enough work history to get approved? Also, do I need to have been fired or can layoffs qualify too? I've never applied for UI before and the my.ny.gov website is pretty confusing. Any help would be appreciated!
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Joshua Hellan
Yes, you can definitely apply! Layoffs absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits. With 8 months of work history and that income level, you should meet the base period requirements. You need to have earned at least $2,900 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least 1.5 times your high quarter amount. Your $28k should easily cover that. Apply as soon as possible since there's a waiting week and benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you lost your job.
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Olivia Kay
•Thank you! Should I apply online through my.ny.gov or call NYS Department of Labor directly?
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Joshua Hellan
•Definitely apply online through my.ny.gov - it's faster and you can do it 24/7. The phone lines are usually swamped. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment information ready before you start.
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Jibriel Kohn
i got laid off too last month and applied right away. took about 2 weeks to get my first payment but it was pretty straightforward. just make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed
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Olivia Kay
•Good to know! Did you have any issues with the adjudication process or was it pretty smooth?
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Edison Estevez
I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim status and it's impossible! Their phone system is a nightmare. I keep getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a real person there?
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Emily Nguyen-Smith
•I had the same problem until someone told me about claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI) and decided to try it. Actually got connected to an agent within an hour and was able to resolve my adjudication issue. Saved me so much frustration compared to trying to call myself.
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James Johnson
Wait, don't you have to be actively looking for work to get unemployment? I thought there were job search requirements you had to meet every week.
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Joshua Hellan
•Yes, you're required to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a record of your job search activities. You'll need to report this when you file your weekly claims. The NYS Department of Labor can audit your job search log, so keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and any responses you received.
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Sophia Rodriguez
good luck with the system, it's a bureaucratic nightmare!! took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documentation. make sure you have EVERYTHING ready when you apply or they'll just keep delaying your claim
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