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Do I need to register with NY Unemployment Career Center if I already have a job coach?

So I got laid off from my manufacturing job back in November and started filing for unemployment benefits in December. I've been getting regular payments until about three weeks ago when they suddenly stopped. I called and after waiting FOREVER, they told me I needed to register with the Career Center. The thing is, I'm already enrolled in a community workforce program through the local library, and I have a job coach there who's helping me search for jobs and update my resume. We meet twice a week and she's been really helpful - she even set up three interviews for me already. Do I still need to register with the official Career Center? Seems like a waste of time to do both. Has anyone been in a similar situation? The person on the phone wasn't clear about this at all and just kept talking about "work search requirements" without answering my actual question. I don't want to mess up my benefits but also don't want to duplicate efforts if my current program fulfills the requirement.

Liv Park

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YES you absolutely do need to register with the NYSDOL Career Center, even if you have another job coach or program. I learned this the hard way when my benefits got cut off for 3 weeks. Your current program counts toward your work search activities but doesnt replace the registration requirement. Its a separate thing entirely. Go online and do it ASAP - only takes like 15 minutes to register on the labor department website.

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Thanks for the info! Did u need any specific documents to complete the registration? I wanna make sure I have everything ready before I start.

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Liv Park

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Nah just your regular login info for the unemployment site. Have your SSN handy but thats about it. You'll basically just fill out a profile with your work history and skills.

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And make sure you print the confirmation page when your done! I didnt and then had truble proving I did it when they asked later.

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Ellie Simpson

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This is PEAK ny unemployment bureaucracy πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ They love making us jump through multiple hoops for the same thing. The career center registration is just a formality but if u dont do it they can and will stop your benefits. Your current program should count for the weekly work search requirements tho.

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Arjun Kurti

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I work with unemployment claimants at a non-profit and can confirm you still need to register with the Career Center even with your existing program. Here's what you need to know: - The Career Center registration is a separate SYSTEM requirement in the NYSDOL database - Your current job coach program activities DO count toward your weekly work search activities - You should document all meetings with your current job coach as part of your work search records - Once registered with the Career Center, you don't necessarily need to use their services if your current program is sufficient - Registration takes about 15-20 minutes online - Your benefits won't resume until you complete this step If you're having trouble reaching someone at unemployment to resolve this, I've had many clients use Claimyr.com with great success - it gets you connected to an actual person who can help. Don't wait on this - the longer you delay, the longer your benefits will be held up.

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RaΓΊl Mora

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This is super helpful. Quick question - once registered, does the career center follow up or check in with you regularly? Just wondering what to expect.

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Arjun Kurti

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They might send automated emails about workshops or job fairs, but they typically don't actively case manage unless you ask for help. It's mostly a registration formality and resource center you can use if needed.

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Margot Quinn

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I had the EXACT same situation in August!! Was working with a job coach at a veterans program but my benefits got cut off cuz I hadn't registered with the career center. Such a waste of time and totally redundant, but yes you gotta do it. Classic government efficiency at work πŸ™„

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Evelyn Kim

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Same thing happened to my cousin! NY unemployment system is so broken

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Diego Fisher

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unfortunatly u have to register with the career center its mandatory for everyone. they don't care if u already have help elsewhere. i think its mostly so they can say they offered u their services. your current job coach stuff definitely counts for work search activities tho!

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I was in a similiar situation and kept getting the runaround on the phone. Finally got someone at claimyr.com who actually explained it properly. The career center registration is basically just checking a box in their system - has nothing to do with the quality or type of job search assistance youre already getting. Once I registered my payments started again the next day.

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How long did the registration take? I'm worried about messing it up somehow.

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Maybe 15 minutes? It's pretty straightforward - just basic info about your work history, skills, education, etc. Nothing complicated. Just make sure you go all the way to the end until you get a confirmation.

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From what I understand, you NEED to register with the Career Center even if ur working with a job coach elsewhere. Kinda like how you still have to file a tax return even if you dont owe any taxes. It's just a procedural requirement they enforce strictly. You can just register and then continue with your current coach.

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Faith Kingston

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omg the ny unemployment system is SO STUPID sometimes. Yes you have to register even tho it makes zero sense in your situation. It's literally just so they can say they offered you help finding a job. I'd do it asap cuz they won't restart your payments until you do.

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Emma Johnson

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FOR REAL!! The amount of hoops we gotta jump through is insane 😑

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Liam Brown

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honestly its not that bad compared to some other states tho

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Faith Kingston

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maybe but its still annoying AF to have benefits cut off for something so pointless

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Olivia Garcia

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So I was ACTUALLY in the same situation last spring! Was working with a nonprofit job program but still had to do the Career Center registration. Tried for days to reach someone on the phone with no luck. Ended up using claimyr.com (saw it recommended here) and got through to someone who confirmed I needed both. Fixed it that day and had my payments back by the next week.

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Noah Lee

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Pro tip: Screenshot EVERYTHING when u register with the career center. I did it but they somehow lost my registration and tried to make me pay back benefits. Had the screenshots to prove I did it and saved myself thousands in overpayment nightmare.

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Ava Hernandez

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THIS!!! I document literally everything with NY unemployment now after learning the hard way.πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

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Charlee Coleman

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Thanks for the tip! Will definitely do this.

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Isabella Martin

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Let me save u some time - YES register with the career center ASAP, then continue working with your job coach. The career center registration is just a checkbox their system needs. Your existing job coach activities still count towards your work search requirements. Don't overthink it - just register online today and your benefits should resume soon.

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