How does unemployment work for seasonal workers in NY - confused about eligibility

Yes, seasonal workers can definitely qualify for unemployment benefits in NY! The key is that you need to have enough work history and wages in your base period. Since your employment ended through no fault of your own (end of season), you should be eligible. You'll still need to meet the weekly job search requirements though - typically 3 work search activities per week. The system doesn't distinguish between seasonal and regular workers for most purposes.

same boat here, worked at a ski resort last winter and landscaping this past summer. been collecting since november and havent had any issues with my claims as long as i keep doing my job searches every week

Just went through this exact situation last year. The tricky part is if you're in a 'standby' status - meaning your employer expects to recall you for the next season. If you're on standby, you don't have to do job searches but you can't take other work without potentially losing your benefits. Make sure you understand which category you fall into because the rules are different. Also, your benefit amount is based on your highest quarter of earnings, so seasonal work can actually result in decent weekly benefits if you made good money during peak season.

I had so much trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor about this exact question. Spent weeks trying to call during their business hours and either got busy signals or got disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at the unemployment office. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Honestly saved me so much frustration - I was able to get my seasonal worker questions answered in one phone call instead of weeks of trying.

THE WHOLE SEASONAL WORKER THING IS SO FRUSTRATING! They make it seem like we're gaming the system but seasonal work is legitimate employment. I've been doing summer camp work for 15 years and every year I have to jump through hoops to prove I'm 'really' unemployed during the off season. The adjudication process always seems to take longer for seasonal workers too.

been there! make sure you save all your pay stubs and employment records. seasonal work can look irregular to the system and they might question your eligibility. also if you worked in multiple states during your base period that can complicate things

The documentation requirements for seasonal workers are key! I learned this the hard way - make sure you have clear documentation showing your seasonal employment pattern. If you have contracts or letters from employers stating the seasonal nature of the work, keep those. Also, when you file weekly claims, be honest about your work pattern and availability. The system actually recognizes seasonal employment as valid, but you need to be upfront about it. For job searches, you generally need to show you're available for suitable work, which can include seasonal positions if that's your established work pattern. Just document everything thoroughly in case they request additional information later.

I'm also a seasonal worker (been doing resort work summers and ski instruction winters) and went through this whole process last year. One thing that really helped me was being very clear in my initial application about my work pattern - I explained that I work seasonally by choice and have an established pattern over multiple years. For the job search requirements, you do need to do the 3 activities per week, but "suitable work" for seasonal workers can include seasonal positions that match your skill set and experience. I usually mix seasonal job applications with some year-round options, but the key is showing you're genuinely looking and available for work. Also, don't stress too much about the phone lines - I found the online chat feature on the NYS DOL website actually worked better for getting answers to specific questions about seasonal eligibility. The whole process is definitely confusing at first but once you get the hang of it, it's manageable!

As someone who's been navigating seasonal work and unemployment benefits in NY for a while, I wanted to add a few practical tips that have helped me. First, when you file your initial claim, make sure to clearly explain your seasonal work pattern in the "reason for separation" section - don't just put "laid off" but specify it was end of seasonal employment. This can help avoid confusion later. Second, for job search requirements, I've found that documenting your searches in a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions, and how you applied makes the weekly certifications much easier. You can absolutely focus on seasonal work if that's your established pattern, but I usually throw in a few year-round applications each month just to show flexibility. Finally, if you do get called for an eligibility interview (which is pretty common for seasonal workers), having all your employment documentation ready - pay stubs, hire/termination letters, anything showing the seasonal nature of your work - will make the process much smoother. The system does recognize seasonal employment as legitimate, but being prepared with documentation is key. Good luck with your application!

I'm in a very similar situation - just finished my seasonal landscaping job in October and have been struggling to understand the unemployment process for seasonal workers. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! I'm planning to file my claim this week and feel much more prepared now thanks to all the advice about documentation and being upfront about the seasonal work pattern. One thing I'm still wondering about - has anyone had experience with partial unemployment benefits? I might be able to pick up some part-time work during the off-season, but I'm not sure how that affects benefits or if it's worth it. Also, does anyone know if volunteer work counts toward the job search requirements, or does it have to be paid employment applications only?

I've been working seasonal jobs in NY for about 5 years now (summer tour guide, winter retail) and just want to echo what everyone's saying about being thorough with your documentation. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep copies of EVERYTHING - not just pay stubs but also your hiring paperwork that shows the seasonal dates, any emails about end-of-season layoffs, even your work schedules if they show the seasonal pattern. I got hit with a ton of questions during my eligibility review because my work history looked "inconsistent" to them at first glance. Also, regarding the job search requirements - I've had good luck being honest about my seasonal pattern but also showing I'm open to transitional work. So I'll apply to seasonal positions for next year but also include things like temporary holiday work or short-term contracts that fit my off-season availability. The key is showing you're genuinely looking for work that makes sense for your situation, not just going through the motions. And definitely try that online chat feature someone mentioned - it's way easier than the phone lines!

Just wanted to jump in and share my experience as someone who's been doing seasonal work in NY for about 7 years now. I do summer work at state parks and winter snow removal for municipalities. The unemployment process definitely felt overwhelming at first, but it's become much more routine once you understand the system. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you work for government entities (like I do), sometimes the rules can be slightly different - they might have more detailed records of your seasonal employment which can actually help your case. Also, I've found it helpful to start preparing your unemployment application while you're still working your last few weeks of the season. Get all your documentation together, review your work history, and maybe even start researching job opportunities for your search requirements. That way you can file right away when your season ends instead of scrambling to get everything together while you're already out of work. The financial impact of even a week's delay in filing can add up. For anyone just starting this process, don't get discouraged by the paperwork - seasonal work is totally legitimate and the system does recognize it once you get through the initial hurdles!