How do I qualify for unemployment benefits - NYS Department of Labor requirements?
I just got laid off from my restaurant job after 8 months and I'm not sure if I qualify for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I've never filed before and don't really understand the requirements. I was working full-time making about $18/hour but I'm worried because I only worked there for 8 months. Do I need to have worked for a full year? Also I'm 19 and this was my first real job after high school. What are the basic requirements to qualify for UI benefits in New York?
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Asher Levin
You don't need a full year of work to qualify! NYS Department of Labor looks at your earnings in your base period, which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. For 2025, you need at least $3,300 in total wages during your base period AND at least $2,200 in your highest earning quarter. Since you worked 8 months at $18/hour full-time, you should easily meet these requirements. You also need to be unemployed through no fault of your own (layoffs qualify) and be able and available for work.
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Haley Stokes
•Thank you! That's really helpful. So getting laid off definitely counts as 'no fault of my own' right? I didn't do anything wrong, they just said business was slow.
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Serene Snow
yeah layoffs definitely count, i got approved after being laid off from my warehouse job. the hardest part is actually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when you have questions lol
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Issac Nightingale
The other requirements you need to know: you have to register for work on the Jobs.NYGov website and you'll need to do job search activities each week. For most people that means applying to at least 3 jobs per week and keeping a log of your search activities. You'll also need to file weekly claims to certify you're still unemployed and looking for work. The process starts on the NYS Department of Labor website at labor.ny.gov.
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Romeo Barrett
•Wait, 3 jobs per week? That seems like a lot when there aren't that many restaurant jobs posted online. Are there other activities that count besides just applying?
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Issac Nightingale
•Yes! You can count things like attending job fairs, networking events, career workshops, or even creating/updating your resume and LinkedIn profile. The key is documenting everything in your job search log.
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Marina Hendrix
ugh the NYS Department of Labor system is such a pain to deal with. I've been trying to get through to someone for weeks about my claim status and can never get past the busy signal. it's like they don't want people to actually get benefits
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Justin Trejo
•I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents by phone - they handle all the waiting and calling back until they connect you with someone. Check out claimyr.com, they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to reach someone about my adjudication.
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Marina Hendrix
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Might be worth trying since I'm getting nowhere with the regular phone number.
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Alana Willis
Just wanted to add that if you meet the basic requirements, you should apply as soon as possible! There's a waiting week where you won't get paid, but the sooner you file your initial claim with NYS Department of Labor, the sooner your benefit year starts. Don't wait thinking you need to find a job first - that's not how it works.
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