Is it bad to collect unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
I just got laid off from my retail job after 2 years and my coworker told me I should file for unemployment. But honestly I'm feeling kind of embarrassed about it and worried people will judge me. My family has this whole thing about being self-reliant and I've never had to use any government programs before. Is there like a stigma attached to collecting unemployment? Will it affect my chances of getting hired somewhere else if employers find out? I really need the money to pay rent but I don't want to do something that makes me look bad.
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Zoe Stavros
There's absolutely nothing wrong with collecting unemployment benefits! You paid into this system through your payroll taxes - it's literally your money that you're entitled to receive when you lose your job through no fault of your own. The NYS Department of Labor designed this program specifically to help people bridge the gap between jobs. Employers won't know you collected unless you tell them, and even if they did, most understand that layoffs happen. Focus on your job search and use those benefits to keep yourself stable while you find your next opportunity.
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Andre Moreau
•Thank you, that actually makes me feel a lot better about it. I didn't realize it came from my own tax contributions.
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Jamal Harris
Been there! Got laid off in 2023 and felt the same way at first. Here's the thing - you earned those benefits by working and paying taxes. When I filed my weekly claims with NYS Department of Labor, I realized this isn't charity, it's insurance you already paid for. The whole point is to help you stay financially stable while you search for work. Most people don't advertise that they're collecting UI benefits anyway, so future employers won't know unless you mention it. Just make sure you follow the job search requirements and keep documenting your applications.
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Andre Moreau
•What are the job search requirements exactly? I want to make sure I do everything right.
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Jamal Harris
•You need to make 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of where you applied. The NYS Department of Labor website has all the details about what counts as a valid job contact.
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Mei Chen
nothing wrong with it at all, been collecting for 4 months now after my company downsized. its literally what the program is for
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Liam Sullivan
I felt the exact same way when I first filed! Turns out my dad collected unemployment back in the 80s when his factory closed and never told anyone in the family about it. Found out years later when we were talking about my situation. The stigma is mostly in our heads - unemployment insurance exists because job loss is a normal part of the economy. Even my new boss mentioned during my interview that they understood the job market has been tough lately.
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Amara Okafor
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to file your claim, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me time instead of calling over and over trying to get through the busy phone lines.
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Andre Moreau
•Is that like a paid service? I'm trying to save money right now obviously.
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Amara Okafor
•Yeah it costs something but honestly saved me hours of frustration. Just depends if your time is worth it to you.
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CosmicCommander
The only thing that's 'bad' about collecting unemployment is how hard they make it sometimes! The NYS Department of Labor system can be confusing and the phone lines are always busy. But morally? Ethically? You're using a program you paid into. That's like feeling bad about using your car insurance after an accident. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for using benefits you're entitled to.
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