Is unemployment insurance required for all NY employees or just some?
I'm starting a new job next week and trying to understand if unemployment insurance is mandatory. My employer mentioned something about UI contributions but I'm confused about whether this applies to everyone or just certain types of workers. Do all employees in New York automatically get covered by unemployment insurance or are there exceptions? Also wondering if there's anything I need to do on my end to make sure I'm covered if I ever need to file a claim with NYS Department of Labor.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Yes, unemployment insurance is required for most employees in New York. Your employer is legally required to pay UI taxes to NYS Department of Labor for virtually all workers. You don't need to do anything - coverage is automatic as long as you meet basic eligibility requirements like earning minimum wages and working sufficient hours. The main exceptions are independent contractors, some agricultural workers, and a few other specific categories.
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NeonNomad
•That's a relief! So I don't need to sign up for anything or fill out forms with my employer about UI coverage?
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Dylan Mitchell
just started my job last month and was wondering the same thing lol. my paycheck stub shows something about NYS UI but i never signed anything
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Sofia Martinez
Your employer handles all the UI tax payments automatically - it's not optional for them. The amount they pay is based on their experience rating with NYS Department of Labor and your wages. As an employee, you're covered from day one as long as you're not misclassified as a contractor. If you ever need to file for unemployment, you'll use the my.ny.gov portal to submit your application.
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Dmitry Volkov
•Wait, so there's no employee contribution? I thought we paid into it too like Social Security.
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Sofia Martinez
•No employee contribution in New York - it's entirely employer-funded. That's different from some other states where employees also pay a small percentage.
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Ava Thompson
Had to deal with this when I couldn't reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor about my eligibility last year. Spent weeks trying to get through on their phone lines with no luck. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at the unemployment office. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration compared to calling myself.
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NeonNomad
•Good to know there are options if I can't get through directly. Hopefully I won't need it but thanks for sharing!
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CyberSiren
Just make sure your employer is classifying you correctly as an employee and not trying to call you a contractor to avoid paying UI taxes. That's unfortunately common and would leave you without coverage.
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Isabella Russo
@NeonNomad You're all set! No forms needed from your end. Your employer automatically registers you when they start paying UI taxes on your wages. Just keep your pay stubs and employment records in case you ever need to prove your work history for a claim. The system tracks everything based on your SSN and employer reporting.
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