Common reasons to not get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor - need clarification
I'm trying to understand all the reasons why someone might not qualify for unemployment benefits in New York. My friend just got denied and I'm worried about my own situation. I know you can't get UI if you quit without good cause, but what are all the other disqualification reasons? I've been working part-time for 8 months and not sure if I have enough work history. Also heard something about having to be able and available for work - what does that actually mean? Any insight would be helpful before I file my claim.
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Alexander Evans
The main reasons NYS Department of Labor denies claims are: insufficient work history (you need at least 2 quarters of wages), misconduct/fired for cause, voluntary quit without good cause, not able/available for work, and refusing suitable work offers. For work history, you need to have earned at least $3,300 in your highest quarter and total wages of at least $4,400 in your base period. Being 'able and available' means you're physically capable of working and actively seeking employment.
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Ruby Garcia
•Thanks! So if I've been working part-time for 8 months, I should have enough wages? And what counts as 'good cause' for quitting?
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Evelyn Martinez
dont forget about the job search requirements too, you have to apply for 3 jobs per week and keep records or they'll cut you off. also if you turn down a job offer that pays 80% of your previous wage they can disqualify you
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Benjamin Carter
•Actually it's reasonable and suitable work, not just 80% of previous wage. But yeah, the job search requirement is real and they do check your work search record during audits.
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Maya Lewis
I got denied because I was taking college classes full-time. Even though I was looking for work, NYS Department of Labor said I wasn't 'available' for work because of my class schedule. Had to appeal and prove I could work around my classes. It was a nightmare trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to explain my situation - kept getting hung up on after waiting on hold for hours.
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Isaac Wright
•I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor! Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration with the phone system.
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Lucy Taylor
•wait really? you can go to school and still get unemployment? how did you prove you were available?
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Connor Murphy
THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY PEOPLE!! They'll find ANY excuse - too many hours at school, not enough job applications, didn't report a day of work correctly. I've been fighting an overpayment notice for 6 months because their computer system is garbage and can't track part-time work properly.
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Alexander Evans
•While the system can be frustrating, most denials are legitimate. The key is understanding the requirements upfront and keeping detailed records of everything - work search activities, any part-time earnings, and all correspondence with NYS Department of Labor.
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Evelyn Martinez
also if you have any kind of severance pay or vacation payout that might delay when you can start collecting. learned that the hard way
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MoonlightSonata
One thing I'd add is that if you're collecting any kind of pension or retirement benefits, that can also affect your unemployment eligibility or reduce your weekly benefit amount. NYS Department of Labor will offset your UI benefits if you're getting a pension from a base period employer. Also, if you're self-employed or doing gig work while collecting, you need to report ALL earnings - even small amounts can trigger overpayment issues if not reported properly. The key is being completely transparent about your work situation when you file.
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Dmitry Petrov
•This is really helpful info about pensions and gig work! I didn't know about the pension offset rule. Quick question - what if you're doing like DoorDash or Uber while unemployed? Do you have to report every single delivery/ride even if it's just a few dollars here and there? And how does that affect your weekly benefit amount?
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