Can I get NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits if I can't find a job after searching?
I've been unemployed for about 6 weeks now and I'm getting really stressed about money. I lost my retail job when the store closed permanently and I've been applying everywhere but nobody's hiring or even calling me back. My savings are almost gone and I'm starting to panic. Can I still get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor even though I haven't found work yet? I thought unemployment was only for people who got laid off temporarily but I'm realizing I might have been wrong about that. I've never filed for unemployment before so I don't really understand how it works.
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JaylinCharles
Yes, you can absolutely get unemployment benefits! The fact that you can't find a job is actually exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for. Since your store closed permanently and you lost your job through no fault of your own, you should qualify for NYS Department of Labor benefits. You don't need to find a job first - you just need to be actively searching while you receive benefits. You should file your claim as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before payments start.
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Brianna Muhammad
•Oh wow, I had no idea! I thought I had to be temporarily laid off or something. How do I prove I'm actively searching for jobs?
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Eloise Kendrick
You'll need to keep a job search log showing at least 3 job contacts per week once your claim is approved. This can include online applications, networking contacts, or visiting employers. NYS Department of Labor has specific requirements about what counts as a valid job contact, so make sure you understand those. Also, file your claim online at ny.gov - it's much faster than calling.
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Lucas Schmidt
•The job search requirement is really important - they do check this during random audits and if you can't prove you were searching you could lose benefits and have to pay money back.
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Brianna Muhammad
This is all really helpful but I'm worried about the application process. I've heard it's really hard to get through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone if there are any problems with your claim.
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Freya Collins
•I had the same concern when I filed last year. If you do run into issues where you need to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was so much easier than spending hours trying to call myself and getting busy signals.
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LongPeri
make sure you have all your employment info ready when you file - like your last employer's info, your social security number, and dates you worked. the system can be picky about getting exact information
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JaylinCharles
•Good point - also have your bank account information ready if you want direct deposit, which is much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail.
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Oscar O'Neil
Just want to say hang in there - I know how stressful it is when you're looking for work and money is tight. The unemployment system exists exactly for situations like yours where you lost your job and are actively trying to find new work. Don't feel bad about using benefits you're entitled to!
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