Can you get unemployment if you were laid off - NYS Department of Labor eligibility?
My company just laid me off after 8 years and I'm not sure if I qualify for unemployment benefits. I wasn't fired for cause or anything, they said it was due to budget cuts and eliminated my entire department. Do I automatically qualify since it was a layoff? What do I need to do to start the process with NYS Department of Labor? I've never filed for unemployment before and honestly have no idea where to even begin.
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Luca Romano
Yes, being laid off due to budget cuts or downsizing typically makes you eligible for unemployment benefits in New York. Since you lost your job through no fault of your own, you should qualify. You'll need to file your initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website within the first week after your last day of work. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready when you apply.
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Zara Rashid
•Thank you! Do I need any paperwork from my employer or will NYS Department of Labor contact them directly?
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Nia Jackson
same thing happened to me last year when my company downsized, got approved right away since it was clearly not my fault. just make sure you file asap because there's a waiting period
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NebulaNova
•Actually, you should file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. NYS Department of Labor will contact your former employer to verify the reason for separation. Keep any layoff documentation you received, but they'll handle the employer verification process. The key is that you were separated involuntarily due to lack of work, which is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for.
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Mateo Hernandez
Wait I'm confused - I thought you had to be fired to get unemployment? My friend got laid off from her job last month and she said she couldn't get benefits because she wasn't technically fired. Now I'm worried because I might be facing layoffs at my company too.
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Luca Romano
•Your friend may have been given incorrect information. Being laid off due to lack of work, company restructuring, or budget cuts absolutely qualifies you for unemployment benefits. The key distinction is that you lost your job through no fault of your own. Being fired for misconduct would disqualify you, but layoffs are exactly the situation unemployment insurance covers.
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Mateo Hernandez
•Oh wow, I better let her know! She's been struggling without any income thinking she wasn't eligible.
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Aisha Khan
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I was laid off. Spent hours on hold just trying to ask basic questions about my claim status. If you run into that problem, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me actually reach a real person at the unemployment office. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's even a demo video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Made the whole process way less stressful when I could actually talk to someone.
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Zara Rashid
•Good to know there are options if I can't get through! Hopefully the online application process goes smoothly but it's reassuring to know there's help available if I need it.
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Ethan Taylor
yeah layoffs definitely qualify you, been there myself. just be ready for the weekly certification process once you get approved - you'll need to certify every week that you're looking for work
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