How long does a company have to pay unemployment benefits in NY?
I'm confused about something - when I file for unemployment benefits, how long does my former employer have to actually pay into the system? My last job ended 6 weeks ago and I just got approved for benefits. Does the company have a deadline to make their unemployment insurance payments to NYS Department of Labor? I'm worried there might be delays if they don't pay on time. Also wondering if this affects when I actually receive my money?
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Nora Brooks
Your employer doesn't directly pay your unemployment benefits. They pay quarterly unemployment insurance taxes to NYS Department of Labor throughout the year, not when you file a claim. Your benefits come from the state unemployment insurance fund that all employers contribute to. The timing of your payments depends on NYS Department of Labor processing, not your employer's payment schedule.
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Jayden Reed
•Oh wow, I had no idea! So the money is already there waiting? That makes me feel much better about getting paid on time.
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Eli Wang
yeah employers pay their UI taxes quarterly usually. but if they're behind on payments it can sometimes cause issues with claims, ive heard of people getting delayed because of employer tax problems
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Cassandra Moon
Actually, employers in NY have 30 days from the end of each quarter to pay their unemployment insurance contributions. If they're delinquent, NYS Department of Labor can pursue collection but it typically doesn't delay individual benefit payments. The fund is designed to pay claims even when specific employers are behind on their taxes. Your weekly benefits should process normally regardless of your former employer's payment status.
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Zane Hernandez
•This is really helpful! I was stressing about this same thing. So basically once we're approved, we don't need to worry about what our old company is doing with their tax payments?
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Cassandra Moon
•Exactly right. The unemployment insurance system is set up so individual claimants aren't affected by their employer's tax payment issues. Your benefits are processed based on your eligibility and work history, not your employer's current tax status.
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Genevieve Cavalier
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask similar questions about my claim. After weeks of busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that connects you directly to unemployment agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me get through to someone who could explain the whole employer tax vs. benefits timeline. Much easier than trying to call on my own.
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Ethan Scott
•Thanks for sharing that! I've been trying to call for days with no luck. Might give this a try.
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Lola Perez
wait so if employers pay quarterly, what happens if they go out of business? do we still get benefits?? this is making me nervous about my situation
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Nora Brooks
•Yes, you still get benefits even if your employer goes out of business. The unemployment insurance fund is maintained by NYS Department of Labor and doesn't depend on any single employer staying in business. That's the whole point of the insurance system.
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