Do you have to take a drug test for unemployment benefits in NY?
I'm about to file my first unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor and I'm worried about whether they require drug testing. I've been clean for months but I'm still paranoid about it. Does anyone know if NY requires drug tests when you apply for UI benefits? I can't find clear info on the my.ny.gov website and I don't want to get disqualified for something I didn't know about.
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Ava Harris
No, New York does not require drug testing for regular unemployment benefits. NYS Department of Labor doesn't mandate drug tests as part of the application process or ongoing eligibility requirements. You're only tested if a specific job you're applying for requires it as part of their hiring process, but that's separate from your UI claim.
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Chloe Delgado
•Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. I was stressing about this for nothing.
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Jacob Lee
yeah i never had to take any drug test when i filed last year, just had to do the weekly claims and job search stuff
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Emily Thompson
The only time drug testing might come up is if you were fired for failing a company drug test - that could affect your eligibility for benefits. But NYS Department of Labor itself doesn't test claimants. You'll need to focus on meeting the job search requirements and filing your weekly claims on time.
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Sophie Hernandez
•Wait, so if someone got fired for failing a drug test at work, they can't get unemployment? That seems harsh.
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Ava Harris
•It depends on the circumstances. If you were fired for misconduct related to drug use, it could disqualify you. But each case gets reviewed individually during adjudication. You can always appeal if you disagree with their decision.
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Daniela Rossi
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim eligibility. If you need to speak with someone directly about your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected 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.
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Chloe Delgado
•Thanks for the tip! I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues with my claim.
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Ryan Kim
Just make sure you keep up with your job search log and weekly certifications. That's what actually matters for staying eligible. NYS Department of Labor is more concerned about whether you're actively looking for work than anything else.
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Dylan Evans
This is really helpful information everyone! I was also wondering about this when I first applied. One thing I'd add is that if you're concerned about your specific situation, you can always call the NYS Department of Labor directly or check their FAQ section on unemployment eligibility. The main things they care about are that you're able to work, available for work, and actively searching for employment. The drug testing worry is totally understandable but as others have confirmed, it's not part of their standard process.
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