Does my employer pay for unemployment benefits when I file with NYS Department of Labor?
I just got laid off from my warehouse job and I'm about to file for unemployment benefits. My coworker told me that our employer has to pay for the unemployment benefits I receive, but I'm not sure if that's true. Does my employer actually pay money to NYS Department of Labor when I collect unemployment? I don't want to cause problems for my boss if they're going to get charged for my benefits. Can someone explain how this works?
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Ravi Choudhury
Your employer doesn't pay directly for your individual benefits, but they do pay unemployment insurance taxes to NYS Department of Labor throughout the year. Think of it like insurance - they pay premiums based on their payroll, and then the state pays out benefits from that pool. Your specific claim might affect their tax rate in the future, but they're not writing a check for your weekly benefits.
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Isabella Silva
•Oh that makes sense! So it's more like they already paid into the system and now I'm just collecting what I'm entitled to?
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CosmosCaptain
yeah my employer pays unemployment taxes every quarter, its called SUTA tax or something like that. they dont pay when you file but their rates can go up if they have lots of claims
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Freya Johansen
•Exactly right. It's State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) contributions. Employers with higher claim rates pay higher tax rates in following years, but there's no immediate payment when someone files.
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Omar Fawzi
Don't feel bad about filing! You earned those benefits through your work. Your employer knew they had to pay unemployment taxes when they hired you - it's just part of doing business. If you were laid off through no fault of your own, you absolutely should file your claim with NYS Department of Labor.
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Isabella Silva
•Thanks, I was really worried about putting extra costs on them since they're a small business. Good to know it doesn't work that way.
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Chloe Wilson
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about how employer charges work. If you need to talk to someone about the specifics, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get answers about my claim without waiting on hold forever.
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Diego Mendoza
•interesting, might check that out if i need to call them about anything
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Anastasia Romanov
THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED ANYWAY! Employers pay these tiny taxes compared to what workers need when they lose their jobs. Then they fight every claim to keep their rates low. Don't worry about your boss - worry about getting what you deserve!!!
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Ravi Choudhury
•While it's true some employers contest claims inappropriately, the tax system does work to fund benefits. The important thing is filing if you're eligible.
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GalaxyGazer
Just to add some detail - your employer pays unemployment insurance taxes based on their "experience rating" which looks at their history of layoffs and claims. So while they're not paying for your specific benefits right now, companies that lay off workers more frequently do end up paying higher rates over time. It's designed to encourage stable employment while still providing the safety net you need. Don't let worry about your employer stop you from filing - this is exactly what the system is for!
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