NYS Department of Labor claim approved but what was unemployment rate during recent years?
Got my unemployment benefits approved through NYS Department of Labor last month after a 6-week adjudication nightmare. Now that I'm finally getting payments, I've been wondering about the bigger picture - what were the unemployment rates like during the previous administration? I keep hearing different numbers and I'm curious how today's job market compares to what it was like a few years ago. My weekly claim certification asks about job search activities and I want to understand if I should be more or less optimistic about finding work compared to then.
8 comments


Eloise Kendrick
The national unemployment rate was around 3.5-4% in 2019 before the pandemic hit, which was considered very low historically. In New York specifically, it was even lower at times. Right now we're seeing similar numbers actually, so the job market should be pretty good for your search. Make sure you're logging all your job search activities for NYS Department of Labor - they require 3 contacts per week.
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JaylinCharles
•Thanks! That's encouraging. I've been doing the 3 job contacts weekly and keeping detailed records. Hopefully this market will work in my favor.
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Lucas Schmidt
yeah i remember it being really low back then like everyone was hiring but then covid happened and everything went crazy. now its back to being decent i think but idk the exact numbers
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Freya Collins
If you're having trouble with your job search requirements or need help reaching NYS Department of Labor agents about your claim, I used claimyr.com recently when I couldn't get through their phone lines. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. Really helped me get connected to an actual person when I had questions about my weekly certification.
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LongPeri
•Never heard of that service before. Did it actually work for getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor? Their phone system is impossible.
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Freya Collins
•Yeah it worked great for me. No more sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. Worth checking out the demo video to see how it works.
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Oscar O'Neil
The unemployment system is just broken no matter what the rates are!! I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months over an overpayment issue and they can't give me straight answers. These statistics don't mean anything when the actual system doesn't work properly.
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Sara Hellquiem
•I feel you on the system being frustrating. At least the job market being good means more opportunities out there even if dealing with unemployment benefits is a headache.
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