NYS Department of Labor asking if I collected unemployment benefits during my unemployment period - confused about this question
I'm filling out some paperwork for NYS Department of Labor and there's a question that asks 'have you collected unemployment benefits at any time during your unemployment period?' This seems like a weird circular question to me. I mean, if I'm applying for unemployment, wouldn't the answer always be no at first, then yes once I start getting benefits? Or are they asking about previous unemployment periods? I've been unemployed for 6 weeks now and this is my first time filing for UI benefits. The question is confusing me and I don't want to answer wrong and mess up my claim. Has anyone else seen this question before and know what they're really asking?
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StarSurfer
This question usually appears on forms when they're trying to determine if you received benefits from another state or during a different benefit year. They want to know if you collected UI from anywhere else during your current period of unemployment, not just from NYS Department of Labor. If this is your first time filing and you haven't received benefits from any other state, the answer would be no.
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Isabella Costa
•That makes more sense! So they're checking if I got benefits from like New Jersey or something before applying in NY. Thanks for clarifying that.
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Ravi Malhotra
yeah i had this same question and it threw me off too. i think its asking if you got unemployment from anywhere else while you were unemployed this time around
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Freya Christensen
The question is checking for duplicate benefits or benefits from other programs. Sometimes people move between states during unemployment or might have applied in multiple states. NYS Department of Labor needs to know this for their records and to prevent overpayments. If you only applied in New York and this is your first claim, answer no.
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Omar Hassan
•What if I applied in NY but also applied in Connecticut before moving here? Should I mention that even though the CT application was denied?
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Freya Christensen
•Yes, you should disclose any applications or benefits from other states during this unemployment period, even if they were denied. It's better to be transparent than have them find out later during verification.
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Chloe Robinson
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to clarify questions like this on my claim. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through 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 trying to get simple questions answered.
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Isabella Costa
•How much does something like that cost? I've been having the same issue getting through to anyone.
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Chloe Robinson
•It was worth it for me since I was stuck on my claim for weeks. Much easier than spending entire days trying to call and never getting through.
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Diego Chavez
This question confused me too when I was applying. I overthought it and called three times before getting an answer. Basically if you haven't gotten unemployment checks from anywhere else during this stretch of being unemployed, just put no.
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Dylan Mitchell
I think everyone gets confused by this question! I just went through the same thing last month. The way it was explained to me is they're asking if you received unemployment benefits from ANY source (other states, different programs, etc.) during your current period of being unemployed. Since you said this is your first time filing and you've been unemployed for 6 weeks without benefits, the answer would be no. They just want to make sure you're not double-dipping or getting benefits from multiple places. Hope that helps clear it up!
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