Can you get unemployment after a temporary job ends in NY?

Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment when a temporary assignment ends! The NYS Department of Labor treats temp work ending as a valid reason for filing. You should apply as soon as possible since there's a waiting week. You'll need your staffing agency's information and pay stubs from the assignment.

Put down the staffing agency as your employer since they're the ones who paid you. The warehouse was just your work location. Make sure you have their federal tax ID number ready when you file online.

ugh the whole system is so confusing especially for temp workers!! i worked temp jobs for like 2 years and every time an assignment ended i had to figure out unemployment all over again

Had this exact situation last year. The key thing is to file immediately and be honest about why the assignment ended. NYS Department of Labor understands temp work - it's not considered quitting if your assignment just finished. Just make sure you're actively looking for work and documenting it.

Mine took about 3 weeks but that was before the current delays. If you need to talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim status, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

temp work is the worst for this stuff... companies use it to avoid giving real benefits then you have to deal with unemployment bureaucracy when assignments end. at least NY is better than some states for temp workers i guess

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! You're definitely eligible - temp assignment endings are considered "lack of work" which qualifies you for benefits. Don't stress about it being temporary work, that's actually super common. Make sure you apply online at labor.ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a waiting week before payments start. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and all your pay information from the staffing agency. The whole process was easier than I expected once I got started.

The weekly certifications are pretty straightforward - you just need to log your job search activities each week. For temp workers, this can include checking in with multiple staffing agencies, applying for direct-hire positions, and networking. NYS requires 3 job search activities per week, but they're flexible about what counts. Contacting your original staffing agency for new assignments definitely counts as one activity. Just keep a simple log with dates, company names, and what you did (applied online, called, etc.). The system is actually designed with temp workers in mind since it's such a common employment situation in NY.

One thing to add - when you file your claim, make sure to select "lack of work" as your reason for unemployment, not "temporary layoff." I made that mistake initially and it caused some confusion. Also, if the staffing agency gave you any paperwork when your assignment ended (like a completion notice or anything documenting that the assignment was finished), keep that handy in case they ask for documentation later. The NY system is actually pretty temp-worker friendly once you get the hang of it!

As someone who's been through the temp-to-unemployment process multiple times, I can confirm everything others have said here is spot on. One additional tip - when you're filling out the online application, they'll ask for your "last day worked" which should be the actual last day of your warehouse assignment, not when the staffing agency told you there was no more work. Also, don't be surprised if they send you a questionnaire about the circumstances of your job separation - this is totally normal for temp workers and nothing to worry about. Just answer honestly that your assignment ended due to completion/lack of available work. The whole process usually goes smoothly for temp situations like yours since it's so common in NY. Good luck!