Does social security affect unemployment benefits in New York - NYS Department of Labor rules?

Good news - in New York, social security retirement benefits do NOT reduce your unemployment benefits. The NYS Department of Labor treats social security as a separate federal program. You can receive both simultaneously without any offset. Just make sure when you file your weekly claims that you report your work search activities correctly and any part-time work income if you pick up any side jobs.

wait i thought any government benefits would affect unemployment? my cousin told me her disability payments got deducted from her UI

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I got laid off at 63. The NYS Department of Labor rep I spoke with confirmed that social security retirement doesn't count as wages or reduce your weekly benefit rate. However, you still need to actively search for work and be available to accept suitable employment. Some people think collecting social security means you're retired and not looking for work, but that's not automatically true. I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone though - took weeks of trying. If you need to speak with someone directly, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a human agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made my life so much easier when I had questions about my claim status.

Just want to add that even though social security doesn't reduce your UI benefits, you still need to report ANY other income on your weekly claims. This includes pensions, part-time work, severance pay if you got any, etc. The NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about income reporting and if they find unreported income later it can cause overpayment issues.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why can't they just make this stuff clearer on their website?? i've been trying to figure out my own benefit calculation for weeks

Diego, you're in a good spot! I went through something similar last year at 65. The key thing to remember is that while social security retirement doesn't reduce your unemployment benefits in NY, you still need to demonstrate that you're actively seeking work and available for employment. The NYS Department of Labor will ask about your work search activities during your weekly certifications. I'd recommend keeping a detailed log of your job applications, interviews, and networking activities. Also, make sure your resume is updated and ready to go - they may ask for proof of your job search efforts. One tip: consider looking into age-friendly employers or programs specifically for older workers, as this can help strengthen your case that you're genuinely seeking employment while collecting benefits.

I was in a similar situation when I was 63 and got laid off from my job. The good news is that social security retirement benefits won't affect your unemployment benefits in New York - they're treated as completely separate programs by the NYS Department of Labor. When I filed my weekly claims, I never had to report my social security income because it's not considered "wages" that would reduce your UI benefits. However, make sure you're prepared to show that you're actively looking for work and available to accept suitable employment, as that's still a requirement even if you're collecting social security. The hardest part for me was actually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions, but once I did speak with a representative, they confirmed everything I'm telling you. Good luck with your claim!

I'm 66 and went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when my manufacturing plant closed down. Can confirm what others have said - social security retirement benefits absolutely do NOT affect your unemployment benefits in New York. The NYS Department of Labor treats them as completely separate programs. When I filed my initial claim and during weekly certifications, I never had to report my social security income because it's not considered wages. However, I did have to be very diligent about documenting my job search activities. At our age, "suitable work" generally means positions that match your skills and experience level, though the pay might be somewhat lower than your previous job. I found success focusing on part-time positions and contract work in my field, which actually worked out well since I could still collect partial unemployment benefits. The key is showing genuine effort in your job search - keep detailed records of applications, networking, and any training or skill-building activities you pursue. Don't let age discourage you from applying broadly!

I'm 67 and just started dealing with this situation myself after being laid off from my retail management position last month. Everyone here is absolutely right - social security retirement benefits do NOT affect your unemployment benefits in New York. I was initially confused about this too because it seems counterintuitive, but the NYS Department of Labor confirmed it when I called (after many, many attempts to get through!). The key thing they emphasized to me is that you must still be "able and available" for work, which means actively job searching and willing to accept suitable employment. They don't care that you're collecting social security - what matters is your willingness and ability to work. I've been documenting every job application, networking call, and even online career workshops I attend. Haven't been asked to provide the documentation yet, but I want to be prepared. One thing that's been helpful is focusing on positions that value experience over physical demands, since at our age we bring decades of knowledge to the table. Don't let anyone tell you that collecting social security disqualifies you from unemployment - that's simply not true in New York!