How has unemployment changed over time - NYS Department of Labor system completely different now?
I'm filing for unemployment again after being laid off, but last time I claimed was back in 2019. The whole NYS Department of Labor system seems totally different now! The my.ny.gov portal looks nothing like what I remember, and there are all these new requirements I don't understand. Has anyone else noticed how much the unemployment process has changed? I'm confused about the job search requirements - do I still need to contact 3 employers per week? And what's this workforce development stuff they keep mentioning? Everything feels way more complicated than it used to be.
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QuantumQuest
You're absolutely right - the NYS Department of Labor made major changes especially after 2020. The job search requirement is now more flexible but you still need to document your efforts. Instead of just 3 contacts, you can do a combination of activities like attending job fairs, skills training, or networking events. The my.ny.gov system was completely overhauled too, which is why it looks so different.
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Zainab Khalil
•Thanks! Do you know if they still require the work search log to be submitted weekly or is it just kept for records now?
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Connor Murphy
yeah its way different now, took me forever to figure out the new website when i had to file last year. the adjudication process seems to take longer too
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Yara Haddad
The biggest change is probably the identity verification requirements. Now there's ID.me integration and much stricter documentation needed upfront. Also, if you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor about these changes, I used claimyr.com recently - they actually got me through to an agent who explained all the new procedures. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.
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Keisha Robinson
•Really? How much does that cost though? I'm already stressed about money and don't want to pay extra fees just to talk to someone about my own benefits.
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Yara Haddad
•I get the concern about costs when you're already tight on money. The peace of mind was worth it for me since I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get through on my own. But definitely check their site for current info - I don't want to quote anything wrong.
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Paolo Conti
The whole system is a mess now compared to before. They added all these 'improvements' but it just makes everything more confusing for people who actually need help. The old system wasn't perfect but at least you could understand what was happening with your claim.
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Amina Sow
•I feel this so much. My mom had to file in 2018 and it was straightforward. Now I'm trying to help my brother navigate it and there are like 5 different portals and none of them talk to each other properly.
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QuantumQuest
To answer your earlier question about the work search log - you keep it for your records but don't submit it weekly anymore unless specifically requested during an audit or review. The system tracks most of your job search activities automatically now through integrations with job boards.
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Zainab Khalil
•That's actually helpful to know. So I should still be documenting everything but I don't have to upload it every week? And where do I find these integrated job boards they're talking about?
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