Can I get NYS Department of Labor unemployment if I haven't worked a year?
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if I can get unemployment benefits if I haven't worked a full year? I started my job in March 2024 and just got laid off last week due to company downsizing. I was working full-time making $18/hour at a retail store in Buffalo. When I try to look up the requirements on the NYS Department of Labor website, it's confusing about the base period and how much you need to have earned. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'm really stressed about paying rent next month.
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Isabella Costa
You don't need to work a full calendar year to qualify for NYS unemployment benefits. What matters is your earnings during the 'base period' which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Since you worked from March 2024 through early 2025, you should have earnings in multiple quarters. You need at least $2,700 in wages during your base period to qualify for the minimum weekly benefit.
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Malik Jackson
•Thank you! That's really helpful. I think I made around $15,000 total since March, so hopefully that's enough. Do I count the quarter I got laid off in or not?
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StarSurfer
i got unemployment after only working 8 months so yeah you should be fine as long as you made enough money. just file your claim asap don't wait
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Ravi Malhotra
The base period calculation can be tricky. If you filed your claim in January 2025, your base period would likely be January 2024 through December 2024. Since you didn't start working until March 2024, you'd have earnings in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2024. As long as your total wages in that period meet the minimum threshold and you meet the weekly benefit requirements, you should qualify. You can check your exact base period on the NYS Department of Labor website when you file.
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Malik Jackson
•This is exactly what I needed to know. I'll file my claim this week and see what happens. Fingers crossed!
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Freya Christensen
Had the same worry when I got laid off after 10 months at my job. Turned out I qualified no problem. The NYS Department of Labor is pretty good about explaining your base period once you start the application. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready - employer name, dates, wages, reason for separation.
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Omar Hassan
Wait I'm confused about this base period thing. If I got laid off in December but only worked since April, what quarters count? This is so confusing and the NYS Department of Labor website doesn't explain it clearly at all!
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Isabella Costa
•If you were laid off in December 2024, your base period would be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. Since you only worked starting in April 2024, you'd only have earnings in Q2 and Q3 of 2024. You might need to request an alternate base period that includes more recent quarters where you actually worked.
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Chloe Robinson
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my base period eligibility. Kept getting busy signals and long hold times. A friend recommended this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual NYS Department of Labor agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Helped me talk to someone who could explain my specific situation within a day instead of waiting weeks.
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Malik Jackson
•Thanks for the tip! I might need that if I run into issues with my application.
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Diego Chavez
Just to add - even if you don't qualify for regular unemployment initially, don't give up. Sometimes you can qualify later if you work a bit more and reapply. The NYS Department of Labor also has other programs that might help in the meantime.
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