Can you collect unemployment if your company shuts down for a week in NY?
My employer just announced they're doing a mandatory shutdown next week due to equipment maintenance issues and won't be paying anyone during that time. I work full-time normally and this came out of nowhere. Am I eligible to file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor for just that one week? Or do I need to be out of work longer? I've never dealt with this situation before and don't want to mess up my claim if I'm not supposed to file.
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Callum Savage
Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment benefits for temporary layoffs like this in New York. Even if it's just one week, you're entitled to benefits if your employer temporarily reduces your hours to zero. You'll need to file your initial claim and then certify for that week. Make sure you report that you expect to return to work when they reopen.
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Landon Flounder
•Thank you! Do I file right away or wait until the shutdown actually starts? And will this affect my job when I come back?
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Ally Tailer
File as soon as possible but make sure to indicate this is a temporary layoff. NYS Department of Labor has provisions for short-term shutdowns. You won't lose your job over filing - it's illegal for employers to retaliate for legitimate unemployment claims. The key is being honest about expecting to return to work.
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Aliyah Debovski
•This happened at my plant last year during retooling. Filed for 2 weeks and had no issues when we went back. Just make sure you're available for work if they call you back early.
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Miranda Singer
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to file for a similar situation. The phone lines are always busy and the online system can be confusing for temporary layoffs. I ended up using Claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent who walked me through the process. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole thing much easier than trying to call directly.
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Landon Flounder
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already worried about missing a week of pay.
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Miranda Singer
•It's definitely worth checking out their site for the details, but the peace of mind of actually talking to someone who knows the system was huge for me. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Cass Green
wait so if your just out for a week you can get unemployment?? i thought you had to be laid off permanently or something
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Callum Savage
•Nope, temporary layoffs count too as long as your hours are reduced to zero. Even if it's just a few days. The important thing is that it's not your choice to be off work.
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Finley Garrett
The NYS Department of Labor system is so broken honestly. They make it impossible to reach anyone and then act like we're trying to scam them for filing legitimate claims. I hope your company gets their act together and doesn't pull this kind of surprise shutdown again. At least you know your rights now.
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Madison Tipne
•I feel you on the frustration but at least the benefits are there when we need them. Could be worse.
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Sean Kelly
Just went through this exact situation last month when our factory had an unexpected shutdown for electrical repairs. Filed online the day before the shutdown started and got my benefits for those 3 days we were out. The key things I learned: 1) File as soon as you know about the shutdown, 2) Be very clear it's temporary when you file, and 3) Make sure to certify for benefits even if it's just a few days. The online system actually worked fine for me - took about 20 minutes to complete the initial application. Don't stress about it affecting your job, employers deal with this stuff all the time and it's completely normal to file for temporary layoffs.
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