Can anyone apply for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor or are there restrictions?
I'm really confused about who's actually eligible to apply for unemployment in New York. My friend told me that literally anyone can apply for unemployment benefits through the NYS Department of Labor, but that doesn't sound right to me. I've been working part-time for about 8 months at a retail job and thinking about quitting to focus on school full-time. Would I be able to get unemployment if I quit? Or do you have to be laid off? Also, what about people who just moved here from another state - can they apply right away? I don't want to waste time filing if I'm not even eligible.
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Selena Bautista
No, not everyone can apply for unemployment benefits. You need to meet specific eligibility requirements set by NYS Department of Labor. First, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own - so quitting to go to school would disqualify you. You also need sufficient work history and wages in your base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you quit voluntarily, you'll be disqualified unless it's for very specific reasons like unsafe working conditions or domestic violence.
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Tasia Synder
•Oh wow, I had no idea quitting would disqualify me. What counts as sufficient work history? I've only been working part-time for 8 months.
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Mohamed Anderson
Your friend is definitely wrong about anyone being able to get UI benefits. The NYS Department of Labor has strict requirements. You need to have earned at least $2,700 in wages during your base period, and your total wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. Plus you have to be able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and register with the state job search system. If you're planning to go to school full-time, that could affect your 'available for work' status.
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Ellie Perry
•Wait, I'm in school part-time and getting benefits. I think as long as you're available for work during normal business hours it's okay?
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Mohamed Anderson
•Part-time school is different than full-time. Full-time students usually can't meet the available for work requirement unless they're in an approved training program.
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Landon Morgan
ugh the whole system is so confusing!!! i applied last year when i got laid off and it took FOREVER to get approved. they kept asking for more documentation and my claim was stuck in adjudication for like 6 weeks. even when you ARE eligible the nys department of labor makes it super hard to actually get benefits
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Teresa Boyd
•I had similar issues getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when my claim was in adjudication. Calling their main number was impossible - always busy or I'd get disconnected after waiting an hour. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connects you directly to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me weeks of frustration trying to get my adjudication resolved.
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Lourdes Fox
About moving from another state - you can apply in NY but they'll look at your work history from all states. Sometimes it's better to file in the state where you earned the most wages. The interstate claims process can be tricky.
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Tasia Synder
•Good to know, thanks! I'm not moving states but my cousin might be and was asking about this.
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Bruno Simmons
Just to add - even if you meet all the requirements, you still have to file weekly claims and do job searches. It's not just free money, there are ongoing requirements to maintain eligibility.
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