How to register for work for unemployment benefits - NYS Department of Labor requirements?
I just filed my initial unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor last week and got approved, but now I'm seeing something about needing to register for work to keep getting benefits. The paperwork mentions job search requirements but I'm confused about what exactly I need to do. Do I register somewhere online? Is this different from just looking for jobs on my own? I don't want to mess up my weekly claims because I missed some step. Can someone explain the work registration process?
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Rachel Clark
You need to register with the NYS Department of Labor's job portal within your first week of claiming benefits. Go to jobs.labor.ny.gov and create a profile there. This is separate from your regular unemployment claim portal. You'll need to complete your resume, set up job search preferences, and this registration satisfies the work search requirement. Make sure you do this before filing your first weekly claim or it could delay your benefits.
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Chris King
•Thank you! So jobs.labor.ny.gov is the right site? I was worried I was looking at the wrong thing. Do I need to apply for jobs through their system too or just register?
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Zachary Hughes
I think you also have to do three job searches every week and log them somewhere? I'm in the same boat, just got approved but this work registration thing is confusing me too.
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Mia Alvarez
•Yes, after you register for work you need to conduct at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. The activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or using the NYS jobs portal. You don't have to submit the log unless NYS Department of Labor asks for it during an audit, but you need to keep detailed records with dates, company names, and contact information.
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Carter Holmes
The whole work registration system is such a pain honestly. I spent like 2 hours trying to figure out their jobs portal website and half the job listings are outdated. But yeah you have to do it or they'll cut off your benefits. Just jump through the hoops and keep detailed records of everything.
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Sophia Long
•Ugh I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for days to ask about this but can never get through! The phone lines are always busy and when I do get in the queue I get disconnected after waiting for an hour. Anyone know a better way to reach them?
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Angelica Smith
•I had the same problem with their phone system until someone told me about claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. I was skeptical at first but tried it when I needed help with my adjudication issue and actually got connected to someone in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration dealing with their busy phone lines.
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Logan Greenburg
Just wanted to add that you should register ASAP because some people have had their claims held up for not completing the work registration requirement on time. Better safe than sorry with NYS Department of Labor - they're pretty strict about following all the rules.
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CosmicCruiser
I went through this process a few months ago and want to add that the work registration on jobs.labor.ny.gov also requires you to upload a resume. Make sure your resume is in a common format like PDF or Word doc - I had issues with other formats being rejected. Also, once you're registered, you can actually use job applications through their portal as part of your required 3 weekly job search activities, so it does serve a dual purpose. The key is doing it within that first week like Rachel mentioned - NYS Department of Labor is really strict about the timeline.
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Malik Thomas
•Thanks for the detailed info about the resume upload! I'm just starting this process and wondering - do they review the resume you upload or is it mainly just to have something on file? Also, when you mention using their job portal applications as part of the 3 weekly activities, does that mean I should focus on applying through their system rather than company websites directly?
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