Is unemployment social security benefits or something different from NYS Department of Labor?
I'm really confused about this and need someone to explain it clearly. I just got laid off from my job at a restaurant and my mom keeps telling me to apply for social security but my coworker said I need to file for unemployment through NYS Department of Labor. Are these the same thing? I'm 28 years old and have been working for 6 years. I don't understand if unemployment insurance is part of social security or if they're totally different programs. Can someone help me figure out what I'm supposed to apply for?
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Sunny Wang
No, unemployment insurance and social security are completely different programs! Unemployment benefits come from NYS Department of Labor and are for people who lost their job through no fault of their own. Social Security is a federal program mainly for retirement, disability, or survivors benefits. At 28, you'd apply for unemployment insurance through the NYS Department of Labor website. You need to file your claim as soon as possible after losing your job.
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Everett Tutum
•Oh wow thank you! So I should go to the NYS Department of Labor website not the social security website? Do I need any special documents to apply?
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Hugh Intensity
your mom is probably thinking of social security disability if you can't work, but unemployment is totally different. UI benefits are for when you lose your job and are actively looking for new work. you file weekly claims and have to meet job search requirements
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Effie Alexander
Here's the breakdown: Unemployment Insurance (UI) is administered by NYS Department of Labor and funded by employer payroll taxes. It provides temporary income replacement when you're unemployed. Social Security is a federal program funded by FICA taxes that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Two completely separate systems with different eligibility requirements and purposes. For your situation, you definitely want to file for unemployment benefits through my.ny.gov.
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Melissa Lin
•This is super helpful! I was confused about this too when I got furloughed last year. The unemployment application asks for your employment history and reason for separation from your job.
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Lydia Santiago
I had the same confusion when I first needed to file! Getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone was impossible with all the busy signals and disconnections. I ended up using claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent who walked me through the difference between programs and helped verify my claim was processed correctly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.
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Everett Tutum
•That sounds really helpful! I'm worried I'll mess up the application and then have to wait even longer to get benefits.
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Romeo Quest
yeah they're different but the whole unemployment system is a mess anyway. took me 8 weeks to get my first payment even though i did everything right. NYS Department of Labor keeps changing their rules and nobody knows what's going on
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Val Rossi
Just to add - make sure you understand that unemployment benefits are taxable income, unlike some social security benefits. You'll get a 1099-G form at tax time. Also, you'll need to certify for benefits weekly and meet work search requirements to keep getting payments.
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