NY unemployment during mandatory covid quarantine - how does the waiting period work?

The waiting week in New York is actually unpaid. So if your quarantine is only 5 days, you probably wont get any benefits. The waiting period is the first week of your claim during which no benefits are paid. After that, you'd start getting payments. Its super messed up tbh.

After trying for WEEKS to get answers about a similar situation, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it was a game changer. Got me connected to an actual human at unemployment who explained everything. Worth every penny to finally get answers instead of listening to hold music for hours. They have this system where they wait on hold and then call you when an agent picks up. Showed it to my brother too and he got his benefits issue fixed in one call: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

You might want to check out NY's Paid Family Leave or disability benefits instead. They might cover covid quarantines. The unemployment system isn't really designed for short absences like this.

I went thru the EXACT same thing in December. 5 day covid quarantine, tried to file for unemployment, and got nothing. The waiting period means you won't see a penny. Its so stupid. By the time you would qualify for benefits, you're already back at work. System is completely broken.

Ok so here's what you need to know about short-term unemployment in NY (I work in HR): The 7-day waiting period is mandatory, and you won't receive benefits for that time. For a 5-day quarantine, you unfortunately won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits since you'll be back at work before the waiting period ends. However, you have other options: 1. NY's COVID-19 sick leave laws might apply depending on your employer's size 2. Check if your employer offers any short-term disability options 3. Some employers have flexible PTO policies for COVID 4. If your symptoms continue longer, you could qualify for benefits The biggest challenge with NY unemployment is actually reaching someone who can answer your specific questions. If you're having trouble getting through on the phones, I've heard good things about claimyr.com - they'll wait on hold and connect you when an agent is available. The key is to document everything - when you tested positive, communications with your employer, etc. Regulations change frequently so having an actual conversation with an agent is critical.

i tried calling ny unemployment about this same issue last month and couldnt get through to anyone after like 15 tries. if ur quarantine is only 5 days dont even bother with the unemployment system, its not worth the headache

I was in your shoes back in October. couldn't get help from unemployment. Ended up just putting everything on credit card and dealing with it later. The whole system is designed to make it hard to get benefits 🤷‍♂️

nyone know if the waiting period counts if you file but then go back to work? Like could OP file now, establish the waiting period, then if they need benefits later they wouldn't have the waiting period again?

Check if your company has any emergency funds or employee assistance programs. Mine doesn't pay for covid quarantine anymore either but they have this hardship fund you can apply to. Worth asking HR about.

The whole NY unemployment system is a joke tbh. I spent WEEKS trying to sort out a much simpler issue than yours. If you need cash now, might be better to borrow from family/friends or look into those cash advance apps.

Most ppl dont realize this but if your doctor extends your quarantine beyond the 5 days (like if your symptoms are still bad), then you might qualify since it would go beyond the waiting period. Maybe worth asking your doc about?

The system is designed to deny benefits. That's why there's a waiting period in the first place. They know most people won't bother for short term issues. It's all about saving the state money. 😠

I actually called about a similar situation using claimyr.com after struggling to get through for days. The agent told me that while you won't get benefits for a 5-day quarantine due to the waiting period, there's a COVID sick leave law in NY that might help depending on your employer size. Worth looking into!