Can I get back pay for unemployment - NYS Department of Labor retroactive benefits?
I just found out I might have been eligible for unemployment benefits for the past 8 weeks but never applied because I thought I didn't qualify. My hours got cut to almost nothing at my retail job back in November but I was still technically employed part-time. A coworker told me yesterday that I could have been getting partial benefits this whole time. Is it possible to get back pay for unemployment from NYS Department of Labor if I file now? I'm really struggling financially and could really use those missed payments if they're available.
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Grace Durand
Yes, you can potentially get back pay for unemployment, but there are specific rules about how far back NYS Department of Labor will go. You need to file your initial claim as soon as possible because benefits are typically paid from the date you file, not from when you first became eligible. However, if you can show good cause for the delay in filing, they might consider backdating your claim. The key is proving you were eligible during those weeks and explaining why you didn't file earlier.
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Connor Richards
•What counts as 'good cause' for the delay? I honestly just didn't know I could get partial benefits while still working reduced hours.
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Steven Adams
i think you have to file within a certain time period or you lose those weeks completely. not sure exactly how long but i know there's a deadline
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Alice Fleming
For partial unemployment in NY, you need to file your claim within 30 days of becoming unemployed or having your hours significantly reduced to get the maximum back pay. After that, it gets more complicated and you'll need to request backdating through an appeal process. Make sure you have documentation of your reduced work schedule and earnings during those 8 weeks. You'll need to prove your weekly earnings were low enough to qualify for partial benefits.
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Connor Richards
•I have all my pay stubs showing the reduced hours. Should I file the claim first and then request the backdating, or is there a specific process?
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Alice Fleming
•File your initial claim immediately, then call NYS Department of Labor to request backdating. You'll likely need to explain your situation and provide documentation. Be prepared - it can take a while to get through to someone on the phone.
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Hassan Khoury
I had a similar situation last year and it was a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor to explain why I filed late. Spent weeks calling every morning and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold. Eventually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier and I was able to get my backdated claim approved within a few days of actually talking to someone.
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Victoria Stark
•How much did that cost? I'm already broke which is why I need the back pay in the first place.
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Hassan Khoury
•It was worth it considering how much time I saved and the fact that I actually got my backdated benefits approved. Way less stressful than trying to get through on my own.
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Benjamin Kim
The whole system is ridiculous. They make it so complicated to get money you're entitled to. Why should you have to prove 'good cause' for not knowing their confusing rules? Half the people working there don't even understand the policies themselves.
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Samantha Howard
same thing happened to my sister - she got approved for 6 weeks of back pay but it took forever
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Laila Fury
Don't give up hope! I was in a very similar situation - worked part-time retail with drastically reduced hours and didn't realize I qualified for partial unemployment benefits. I waited about 6 weeks before filing and was still able to get most of my back pay approved. The key things that helped me were: 1) Filing my initial claim immediately once I found out, 2) Having all my pay stubs organized to show the reduction in hours/earnings, and 3) Being persistent with follow-up calls. When you call to request backdating, be honest about not knowing you were eligible - that's actually pretty common and they understand it. The process took about 3-4 weeks total but I got approved for 5 out of the 6 weeks I requested. Definitely worth the effort given how much it helped with my finances during that tough period.
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QuantumQuasar
•This is really encouraging to hear! I'm in almost the exact same boat - retail job with cut hours and didn't know about partial benefits. Can I ask what documentation you needed besides pay stubs? And when you called for the backdating request, did you speak to a regular agent or did you need to talk to someone specific? I want to make sure I'm prepared when I call.
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Chloe Boulanger
•@Laila Fury That s'really helpful to know you got 5 out of 6 weeks approved! I m'wondering - when you called about backdating, did they ask you to provide any written explanation for the delay, or was the phone conversation enough? Also, did you file your initial claim online first and then call, or did you handle everything over the phone? I want to make sure I approach this the right way from the start.
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Ava Thompson
•@Laila Fury This gives me so much hope! I m'dealing with the exact same situation - retail hours got slashed and I had no idea partial benefits were even a thing. Did you have any trouble proving your hours were reduced enough to qualify? I m'worried they might say I m'still earning too much from my part-time work to get benefits, even though it s'barely enough to survive on. Also, when you say you were persistent with follow-up calls, how often did you call? I don t'want to be annoying but I really need this to work out.
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