Can a travel nurse get NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits between assignments?
I'm a travel nurse who just finished a 13-week assignment at a hospital in Rochester. My next contract doesn't start for another 3 weeks and I'm wondering if I can file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor during this gap? I've been working as a travel nurse for 2 years now with different agencies. Some people told me travel nurses can't get UI benefits but I'm not sure if that's true. Has anyone here successfully gotten unemployment as a travel nurse in NY? I have all my pay stubs and tax documents from my recent assignments.
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Genevieve Cavalier
Yes, travel nurses can absolutely file for unemployment benefits in NY! The key is whether you have sufficient wage credits from covered employment. Since you've been working for 2 years, you should have enough quarters. When you file your claim, NYS Department of Labor will look at your wages from the base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Make sure to report that you're available for work and actively seeking new assignments.
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Zane Hernandez
•That's such a relief! Do I need to list all the different hospitals I worked at or just the staffing agency that placed me?
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Ethan Scott
I'm also a travel nurse and got approved for UI benefits last year between contracts. The trick is making sure you file correctly. List your most recent employer (the staffing agency) and be ready to provide documentation about your contract end date. NYS Department of Labor might ask for proof that your assignment ended and you didn't quit voluntarily.
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Lola Perez
•How long did your adjudication take? I'm worried they'll think I quit my job when really my contract just ended.
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Ethan Scott
•Mine took about 2 weeks. Just make sure you keep all your contract paperwork showing the specific end date and that it was a temporary assignment.
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Nathaniel Stewart
wait i thought you couldnt get unemployment if you work for an agency?? my friend who does temp work said she was denied
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Genevieve Cavalier
•That's a common misconception. As long as the agency pays into the unemployment insurance system (which most legitimate staffing agencies do), their employees are eligible for benefits. Temp work and travel nursing through agencies are covered employment in NY.
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Riya Sharma
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to speak to someone about my travel nurse claim status. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting hung up on. Finally found this 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 showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier when I needed to verify my employment history with multiple agencies.
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Zane Hernandez
•Thanks for the tip! I might need that if they have questions about my work history since I've had like 6 different assignments.
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Santiago Diaz
The system is so messed up honestly. I know nurses who got denied because they didn't understand how to explain their employment situation properly. NYS Department of Labor doesn't make it easy for people with non-traditional work arrangements.
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Millie Long
•ugh tell me about it... i'm scared to even apply because what if they think i'm trying to game the system or something? even though i legitimately have gaps between assignments
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Genevieve Cavalier
•Don't let fear stop you from applying for benefits you're entitled to! As long as you're honest about your work history and availability, you should be fine. Travel nursing is legitimate employment.
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