If I get laid off how long can I collect unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
My company announced layoffs coming next month and I'm pretty sure I'll be included. I've been working there for almost 3 years full-time. Does anyone know how long unemployment benefits last in NY? I heard it's different depending on your work history but I'm not sure exactly how it works. I need to start planning my budget just in case.
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Chloe Robinson
In New York, regular unemployment benefits can last up to 26 weeks (6 months) depending on your base period wages. Since you've been working full-time for 3 years, you should qualify for the maximum duration. Your weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your highest quarter earnings during your base period.
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CosmicCrusader
•Thanks! What exactly is the base period? Is that just my last year of work or something different?
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Diego Flores
The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through September 2024. NYS Department of Labor uses this to calculate both your weekly benefit amount and how many weeks you can collect.
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Anastasia Kozlov
just went through this myself last year. got the full 26 weeks but had to do the job search requirements the whole time which was honestly more work than some actual jobs lol
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CosmicCrusader
•What are the job search requirements? Do you have to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?
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Anastasia Kozlov
•yep 3 job search activities per week and you have to keep a log. can be applications, networking events, job fairs, etc but they're pretty strict about it
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Sean Flanagan
One thing to keep in mind - if you get any severance pay, that might affect when your benefits start. NYS Department of Labor considers severance as wages, so your claim might be delayed until after the severance period ends. I learned this the hard way when I got laid off in 2023.
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CosmicCrusader
•Oh no, I think we might get a small severance package. How does that work exactly?
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Diego Flores
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask specific questions about your situation, I recently discovered claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me when I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone.
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Zara Mirza
•Is that legit? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for 2 weeks about my claim status and keep getting disconnected.
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Diego Flores
•Yeah it worked for me. They basically handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold for hours. Was worth it just to get some actual answers about my case.
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NebulaNinja
Don't forget you can also file your claim before your last day of work if you have advance notice of the layoff! NYS Department of Labor allows you to file up to one week before your employment ends. Just make sure you report your last day accurately.
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