Can uber drivers get unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I've been driving for Uber for almost 2 years as my main income source but work has really dried up in my area lately. I'm barely making $200 a week now when I used to pull in $800-900. A friend told me that gig workers might be able to get unemployment now but I'm not sure if that's true or how it works. Has anyone who drives for Uber or other rideshare companies successfully filed for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor? I'm really struggling to pay rent and need to know if this is even an option for me.
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Raúl Mora
Yes, independent contractors including Uber drivers can potentially qualify for unemployment benefits in New York, but it depends on your specific situation. You'll need to file a claim through the NYS Department of Labor website and they'll determine your eligibility based on your earnings history. The key factors are whether you meet the monetary requirements and if your work reduction qualifies under their guidelines for independent contractors.
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Arjun Kurti
•Thank you! Do you know what kind of documentation I would need to prove my Uber earnings? I get those weekly summary emails but not sure if that's enough.
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Margot Quinn
I drive for Lyft and got approved for unemployment last year when my hours got cut way down. You'll need your 1099 forms and bank statements showing your deposits from Uber. The NYS Department of Labor will also look at your weekly earnings to see if you qualify for partial benefits if you're still working some. Make sure to report any income you're still making from driving when you file your weekly claims.
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Evelyn Kim
•How long did the whole process take for you? I'm thinking about applying but worried about how long I'll be waiting for money.
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Margot Quinn
•It took about 3 weeks from when I first applied to getting my first payment. There was some back and forth with documentation but once they had everything it moved pretty quickly.
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Diego Fisher
just a heads up the system is really backed up right now, been waiting 6 weeks for them to even look at my claim. calling the NYS Department of Labor is impossible, always busy or they hang up on you
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Henrietta Beasley
•I had the same problem trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor about my claim status. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to an agent. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Used it last week and finally got to talk to someone who could explain what was holding up my adjudication.
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Lincoln Ramiro
Wait I'm confused about this whole thing. I thought you had to be an employee to get unemployment, not a contractor? Are they treating Uber drivers as employees now or is this some special program? I drive for DoorDash and never thought I could apply.
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Raúl Mora
•You're still classified as an independent contractor, but New York allows certain independent contractors to qualify for unemployment benefits based on their earnings and work circumstances. It's not automatic though - each case gets reviewed individually by NYS Department of Labor.
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Faith Kingston
This whole gig economy unemployment thing is such a mess. Half the time they don't know how to handle our situations and we get stuck in adjudication forever while they try to figure out if we qualify or not. The system wasn't designed for people like us.
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Javier Gomez
I'm in a similar situation as an Uber driver in NYC - my earnings have dropped significantly over the past few months. From what I've researched, you'll definitely want to gather all your documentation before applying. Besides the 1099s and bank statements others mentioned, I'd also recommend keeping your Uber driver app earnings statements and any tax returns where you reported this income. The NYS Department of Labor website has a section specifically for independent contractors that walks through the eligibility requirements. One thing I learned is that they calculate your benefit amount differently than for traditional employees, so don't expect the same formula. Also consider applying sooner rather than later since there can be waiting periods and backlogs like others have mentioned.
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