NY unemployment claim denied - income requirements too high after reduced hours
Just got my NY unemployment claim denied because I 'didn't earn enough in my base period.' Are they serious right now?? How can they expect people to meet these income thresholds when so many of us had our hours cut or couldn't find steady work? I was working part-time for most of 2024 after my previous employer reduced my hours, then I got laid off completely last month. The denial letter says I needed to earn at least $3,400 in my high quarter, but I only made about $2,900. This system feels rigged against people who are already struggling! Has anyone successfully appealed a denial based on not meeting the earnings requirement? Or is there some other type of assistance I should apply for instead?
20 comments
Join the conversation
Mei Zhang
The earnings requirements for NY unemployment can be frustrating, but they're set by state law. You need to have earned at least $3,400 in your high quarter and have worked in at least two calendar quarters in your base period. However, there are two different base periods they can use - the Regular Base Period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) or the Alternate Base Period (the last 4 completed calendar quarters). Did the denial letter specify which base period they used? If they used the Regular Base Period, you can request they review your claim using the Alternate Base Period instead, which might include more recent earnings that could qualify you.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•Thanks for explaining this! The letter just says 'base period' without specifying regular or alternate. How do I request they use the alternate period? Do I need to file a new claim or is there an appeal process?
0 coins
Liam McConnell
same thing happend to me in january, got denied cuz i didnt make enuff. system is totally rigged against ppl who need help the most!!!
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•Did you try appealing or finding other assistance? I'm feeling pretty desperate here.
0 coins
Amara Oluwaseyi
You don't need to file a new claim. Call NYSDOL and specifically ask them to recalculate your claim using the Alternate Base Period. You have to request this - they won't automatically check both periods. Also, make sure all your employers reported your wages correctly to the state. Sometimes the denial happens because an employer didn't properly report your earnings. If you still don't qualify after checking the Alternate Base Period, you might want to look into the Safety Net Assistance program through NY Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. It's for people who don't qualify for other assistance programs.
0 coins
CosmicCaptain
•Good luck getting through to anyone at NYSDOL though! I spent DAYS trying to reach someone about my claim issues. After wasting hours on hold and getting disconnected repeatedly, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Totally worth it for getting your base period recalculated since that could be the difference between getting benefits or not.
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
Have you tried applying for SNAP benefits while you sort this out? At least that would help with food costs.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•I didn't even think about SNAP, thanks for suggesting it. I'll look into that tomorrow while I'm figuring out this unemployment mess.
0 coins
Fatima Al-Maktoum
I had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM last yr!!!! The threshold is WAY TOO HIGH and doesn't account for people who work in industries with seasonal work or reduced hours. I tried calling for WEEKS and never got through to anyone. This system is BROKEN and designed to deny people benefits they deserve!!!
0 coins
Dylan Mitchell
•Did u ever get it resolved? Im in a similar situation now, reduced hours for 6 months then laid off, worried I wont qualify either
0 coins
Fatima Al-Maktoum
To the person who mentioned Claimyr - does it actually work? I'm skeptical about paying money just to talk to someone when the state should provide this service for free. Has anyone else used this?
0 coins
Mei Zhang
•I was skeptical too, but I used it last month when my payments were delayed for no apparent reason. I had been trying for almost two weeks to get through on my own. It did connect me to an agent who resolved my issue. While I agree the state should make it easier to reach someone, sometimes you have to weigh the cost against the benefits you're trying to secure.
0 coins
Dylan Mitchell
my cousin was denied 2 but she applied for that pandemic thing and got it... oh wait that ended tho. nvm.
0 coins
Mei Zhang
•Yes, the pandemic-related programs ended years ago. The current unemployment system in NY only has regular state benefits available now, which is why meeting the earnings requirements is so important.
0 coins
Amara Oluwaseyi
One more thing to consider - if you worked in another state during your base period, you might be eligible for a combined wage claim. Those wages from out-of-state can be added to your NY wages to potentially meet the threshold. You need to specifically request this when speaking with an agent.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•I did work in Connecticut for about 2 months in early 2024 before moving back to NY! I had no idea those wages could count. This gives me hope. I'm definitely going to call and ask about both the Alternate Base Period and the combined wage claim. Thank you!!
0 coins
CosmicCaptain
I saw someone mention Safety Net Assistance - just a heads up that it has very strict asset limits. They check your bank accounts and everything. Unemployment doesn't have asset limits, just earnings requirements, which is why it's worth fighting for if you're close to qualifying.
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•Thanks for the warning. I do have some savings I've been trying not to touch, so that might be an issue with Safety Net. Sounds like trying to get my unemployment claim reconsidered is the best first step.
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
Any update? Were you able to get through to anyone about recalculating your base period?
0 coins
Jamal Brown
•Yes! Finally got through yesterday and requested both the Alternate Base Period and adding my out-of-state wages. The agent said it looks like I should qualify with those adjustments! They're processing the recalculation now and I should hear back within 10 days. Fingers crossed!
0 coins