Is there an age limit for unemployment benefits in NY?
Hi everyone, I'm 67 years old and was recently laid off from my job at a manufacturing company after 15 years. I'm wondering if there's an age limit for collecting unemployment benefits in New York? I've heard conflicting information from friends and want to make sure I'm eligible before I apply. I'm still actively looking for work and not ready to retire yet. Can anyone clarify the age requirements for NYS Department of Labor benefits?
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Isabella Ferreira
There's no age limit for unemployment benefits in NY! As long as you meet the other eligibility requirements - lost your job through no fault of your own, have enough work history, are able and available for work, and actively seeking employment - your age doesn't matter. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't discriminate based on age for UI benefits.
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Malik Thompson
•That's such a relief to hear! I was worried I might be too old. Do I need to prove I'm actively job searching at my age?
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CosmicVoyager
Definitely no age limit. I know people in their 70s who have collected unemployment. You just need to file your weekly claims and meet the job search requirements like everyone else. The system treats you the same regardless of age.
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Ravi Kapoor
•Good to know! My dad was worried about this exact thing when he got laid off at 65.
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Freya Nielsen
Wait, but what if you're collecting Social Security? Doesn't that affect your unemployment benefits somehow? I thought there might be some conflict there.
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Isabella Ferreira
•You can collect both Social Security and unemployment at the same time in NY. They don't offset each other. Just make sure to report any Social Security income when you file your weekly claims.
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Omar Mahmoud
I had trouble getting through to the NYS Department of Labor when I needed to verify my eligibility status. If you run into phone issues, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me get my questions answered without spending hours on hold.
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Malik Thompson
•Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check that out if I have trouble reaching someone.
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Chloe Harris
just applied at 62 and no problems at all, got approved quick
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Diego Vargas
The only thing to watch out for is if you're planning to retire soon - you need to be genuinely available for work. If you tell them during the interview that you're only looking for a few months before retiring, that might cause issues with your claim.
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Diego Fisher
@Malik Thompson, you're definitely eligible! I went through this same situation at 64 when my company downsized. The application process was straightforward - no age-related questions at all. Just make sure you have your employment history ready (pay stubs, employer info) and be prepared to show you're actively seeking work. The weekly job search requirement is the same for everyone - I think it's 3 job contacts per week. Don't let age discrimination concerns stop you from applying for jobs either - your experience is valuable! Good luck with your application.
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Anthony Young
•@Diego Fisher Thanks so much for sharing your experience! It s'really encouraging to hear from someone who went through the same situation. I appreciate the tip about having all my employment documentation ready - I ll'make sure to gather my pay stubs and employer contact information before I start the application. The 3 job contacts per week requirement seems very reasonable. You re'right about not letting age concerns hold me back from applying for positions. After 15 years at my last job, I have a lot of skills and experience to offer employers. I m'feeling much more confident about moving forward with my application now!
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