How to qualify for unemployment NYS Department of Labor - what are the requirements?
I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I left my job about two weeks ago because my hours got cut to like 8 hours a week and I couldn't afford to live on that. I worked there for almost 2 years full time before the cuts happened. Do I meet the requirements to file a claim? I'm confused about whether leaving because of reduced hours counts as being unemployed or if that's considered quitting. Also not sure about the work history requirements - does anyone know what you need to qualify?
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Alice Coleman
You may qualify! NYS Department of Labor considers substantial reduction in hours as good cause for leaving. Since you went from full-time to 8 hours per week, that's definitely substantial. For work requirements, you need sufficient wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters). With 2 years of full-time work, you should meet that easily. You'll need to file and let them determine eligibility during adjudication.
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Sofia Price
•Thank you! So even though I technically quit, the hour reduction might count as good cause? Should I mention that when I file my claim?
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Owen Jenkins
yeah i had similar situation last year, hours got cut to practically nothing and NYS Department of Labor approved my claim. took a few weeks for adjudication but they said the reduction was good cause. definitely file asap though because there's a waiting period
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Lilah Brooks
Here's what you need to qualify: 1) Sufficient wages in base period 2) Lost job through no fault of your own OR had good cause to quit 3) Able and available to work 4) Actively seeking work. Your situation sounds like good cause since 8 hours/week isn't sustainable employment. When you file, explain the hour reduction clearly - NYS Department of Labor will review during adjudication process.
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Jackson Carter
•What if you can't get through to file? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for days and keep getting busy signals or disconnected.
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Kolton Murphy
•I had the same problem reaching NYS Department of Labor agents! Spent hours trying to get through. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get connected to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made it so much easier to get my questions answered about my claim status.
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Evelyn Rivera
File online through my.ny.gov - much easier than calling. You'll answer questions about why you left your job and NYS Department of Labor will make the determination. With your work history you should definitely qualify wage-wise, and the hour reduction sounds like valid good cause to me.
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Julia Hall
ugh the whole system is so confusing! i never know if i qualify for anything. good luck though, hope it works out better than my experience with NYS Department of Labor
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Sofia Price
•What happened with your experience? Now I'm worried I'm going to mess something up when I file.
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Amina Diallo
•@Julia Hall what kind of issues did you run into? I m'planning to file soon and want to avoid any common mistakes. Was it with the application process itself or something else?
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