Can you collect NYS Department of Labor unemployment if you worked for a non profit organization?
I just got laid off from my job at a local food bank where I worked for 2 years. My friend told me that people who work for nonprofits can't get unemployment benefits but that doesn't sound right to me. I paid into the system just like everyone else. Has anyone here successfully filed for unemployment after working at a nonprofit? I'm worried the NYS Department of Labor might deny my claim for some reason I don't know about.
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Ella Lewis
Yes, you can absolutely collect unemployment benefits after working for a nonprofit! Your friend is mistaken. Most nonprofits in NY participate in the unemployment insurance system just like regular employers. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't distinguish between profit and nonprofit employers when determining eligibility. You should file your claim right away since there's a waiting period.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Thank you! That's such a relief. I was really panicking about how I'd pay rent next month.
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Andrew Pinnock
I worked for a nonprofit animal shelter for 3 years and had no problems getting my weekly claims approved when they had to do layoffs last year. The process was exactly the same as when I filed after my previous job at a regular company. Just make sure you have all your employment documentation ready when you file with NYS Department of Labor.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Good to know! Did you have to do anything different during the application process?
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Andrew Pinnock
•Nope, filled out the same forms online through my.ny.gov. The only thing that matters is whether your employer paid into the UI system, which almost all nonprofits do.
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Brianna Schmidt
there might be some very small nonprofits that dont pay unemployment taxes but most do. if you got paystubs with deductions then youre probably fine
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Alexis Renard
I had a similar situation trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to confirm my nonprofit employment would count. Couldn't get through their phone lines for weeks! Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that gets you connected to actual agents. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration - was able to get my questions answered in one call instead of trying for weeks.
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Hunter Edmunds
•That sounds really helpful! I hate trying to call government offices.
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Camila Jordan
Wait I'm confused - I thought churches and religious organizations couldn't get unemployment? Is that different from regular nonprofits??
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Ella Lewis
•Religious organizations can choose whether to participate in unemployment insurance, so it varies. But secular nonprofits like food banks, shelters, advocacy groups etc. almost always participate in the UI system just like regular businesses.
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Tyler Lefleur
good luck with your claim! nonprofit work is so important and its ridiculous that anyone would think those workers dont deserve the same benefits
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