Is reemployment assistance the same as unemployment benefits in NYS Department of Labor?
I keep seeing references to 'reemployment assistance' on some websites and I'm getting confused about whether this is the same thing as regular unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I lost my job two weeks ago and I'm trying to figure out what I should be applying for. Are these two different programs or just different names for the same thing? I don't want to miss out on filing for the right benefits because I'm confused about terminology.
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NebulaNova
In New York, 'reemployment assistance' and 'unemployment insurance' (UI) are essentially the same thing - they're both referring to the weekly benefits you get through NYS Department of Labor when you're unemployed through no fault of your own. Some states use different terminology but here in NY we typically just call it unemployment insurance or UI benefits. You'll file your claim through the my.ny.gov portal and the official program name is Unemployment Insurance.
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Nia Jackson
•Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. I was worried I was missing some separate program I should apply for.
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Mateo Hernandez
yeah its the same thing, different states just call it different names for some reason. i think florida calls it reemployment assistance but here in ny we just say unemployment
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Aisha Khan
The confusion comes from the fact that the federal government and different states use various terms. But in New York specifically, when you file with NYS Department of Labor, you're filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits. The reemployment services part refers to the job search assistance and workforce development programs that are often connected to your UI claim, like the work search requirements you have to meet each week.
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Ethan Taylor
•Wait, so there are separate reemployment services? I thought it was all just one application process.
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Aisha Khan
•No, it's all part of the same system. When you file for UI benefits, you automatically get access to job search resources and you're required to do work search activities. It's all integrated through NYS Department of Labor.
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Yuki Ito
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to clarify this or file your claim, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.
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Carmen Lopez
•interesting, never heard of that before but the phone lines are definitely impossible to get through on
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AstroAdventurer
Just to add - make sure you file as soon as possible! The NYS Department of Labor has a waiting week but your claim date matters for when your benefits actually start. Don't wait thinking you need to understand every detail first.
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