NYS Department of Labor by definition requires what exactly for weekly claims?
I keep seeing this phrase 'by definition' in all the NYS Department of Labor paperwork but I'm honestly confused about what it actually means for my weekly claims. Like when they say I need to be 'able and available by definition' - what does that cover exactly? I've been filing for 6 weeks now and I want to make sure I'm not missing something important that could mess up my benefits. The my.ny.gov portal doesn't really explain it clearly and I'm worried I might be answering the weekly questions wrong.
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Asher Levin
By definition in NYS Department of Labor terms means you meet the basic eligibility requirements as they're written in the unemployment law. For 'able and available' it means you're physically capable of working, actively seeking work, and ready to accept suitable employment immediately. You need to document your job search activities and be prepared to start work with minimal notice.
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Haley Stokes
•Ok that makes more sense. So I need to keep track of all my job applications? I've been applying but not really keeping detailed records.
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Serene Snow
yeah basically it means you cant just sit around doing nothing, you gotta actually look for work and be ready to take a job if someone offers it to you
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Issac Nightingale
The job search requirement is 3 work search activities per week minimum. Keep a log with employer names, dates, and method of contact. If NYS Department of Labor audits your claim, you'll need to provide this documentation. Also make sure you're not turning down suitable work offers - that can disqualify you immediately.
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Romeo Barrett
•Wait, what counts as a work search activity? Does just browsing Indeed count or do I need to actually apply to jobs?
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Issac Nightingale
•You need to actually apply or make contact. Browsing job sites doesn't count. Applications, networking contacts, job fairs, interviews - those all count as valid work search activities.
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Marina Hendrix
I had similar confusion and spent weeks trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to clarify. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a real person - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. The agent was able to explain all the weekly claim requirements clearly and confirmed I was doing everything correctly.
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Haley Stokes
•How long did it take to get through with that service? I've been trying to call for weeks and either get busy signals or hang ups.
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Justin Trejo
The whole 'by definition' thing is just NYS Department of Labor being bureaucratic as usual. They make everything sound more complicated than it needs to be. Just keep applying to jobs and don't lie on your weekly claims - that's really all there is to it.
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