How can the unemployment office verify if I have looked for work - NYS Department of Labor job search tracking
I've been filing my weekly claims and doing my job searches like I'm supposed to, but I'm getting paranoid about whether NYS Department of Labor can actually check if I'm really looking for work. I know I have to do 3 job search activities per week and keep records, but what exactly can they verify? Can they call employers I applied to? Do they check online job boards? I don't want to get caught in a lie but I also want to know what they can actually see vs what they just take my word for.
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Paolo Bianchi
NYS Department of Labor can absolutely verify your job search activities. They have access to major job boards like Indeed and Monster through data sharing agreements, and they can contact employers you list. Keep detailed records with company names, dates, contact information, and method of contact (online, in-person, phone). During an audit they'll ask for your job search log and may randomly verify 20-30% of your listed activities.
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Keisha Thompson
•Wait they can see my Indeed applications? I had no idea about that. Should I be keeping screenshots or just writing down what I applied for?
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Yara Assad
Yes they definitely check! I got audited last year and they called 4 different places I had applied to verify I actually submitted applications. The key is being honest and thorough in your job search log. Document everything - company name, position title, date applied, how you applied, and any follow-up. Don't just write vague stuff like 'applied online' - be specific about the job title and company.
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Olivia Clark
•This is making me nervous because I've been pretty loose with my record keeping. How far back do they usually go when they audit?
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Javier Morales
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to clarify job search requirements, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was able to get specific guidance about what counts as valid job search activities and how detailed my records needed to be. Much easier than trying to call for hours and getting disconnected.
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Keisha Thompson
•Thanks for the tip! I might try that because the phone lines are always busy when I call.
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Natasha Petrov
honestly i think theyre too busy to check most ppl unless u give them a reason to look closer. just keep decent records and dont claim benefits while working under the table or anything obvious like that
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Paolo Bianchi
•That's not good advice. They do random audits and if you can't prove your job search activities, they'll disqualify you and demand repayment of benefits.
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Connor O'Brien
THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CATCH YOU! They have algorithms that flag suspicious patterns and they WILL audit you if something looks off. I know someone who got disqualified because they couldn't prove half their job searches. Keep everything documented or you're screwed!
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Amina Diallo
•Yikes that's scary. What kind of patterns do they look for that seem suspicious?
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