NYS Department of Labor claim denied - told I need new skills for available jobs
Just got off the phone with NYS Department of Labor and they're saying my unemployment claim might be affected because there are jobs available in my area but I don't have the right skills for them. I've been working in manufacturing for 15 years but most of the openings now are for tech stuff or healthcare. The agent mentioned something about 'structural unemployment' and said I might need retraining. Has anyone dealt with this situation? Will this affect my weekly claims if I can't find work that matches my background?
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Yuki Kobayashi
This is called structural unemployment - it happens when there's a mismatch between the skills workers have and what employers need. NYS Department of Labor can't deny your regular UI benefits just because you need retraining, but they might require you to expand your job search or participate in workforce development programs. Make sure you're documenting all your job search activities properly.
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Ethan Moore
•Thank you! I've been keeping my job search log but wasn't sure if I had to apply for jobs I'm not qualified for. Should I be applying to everything or can I focus on positions where I meet most requirements?
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Carmen Vega
ugh this is so frustrating!! the whole system is broken when they expect us to magically have new skills overnight
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QuantumQuester
I had a similar issue last year. NYS Department of Labor connected me with WIOA training programs through my local workforce board. You might qualify for free retraining while still receiving your unemployment benefits. Check if there are any approved training programs in your area - you can usually find this info on the my.ny.gov portal under workforce services.
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Andre Moreau
•How long did the training take? I'm worried about my benefits running out before I can finish any program.
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Zoe Stavros
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor agents to discuss your options, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to someone quickly. They have this video demo (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI) that explains how it works. Really saved me time when I needed to clarify my job search requirements after being in a similar situation.
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Ethan Moore
•Thanks for the suggestion! The regular phone lines have been impossible to get through lately.
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Jamal Harris
Wait I'm confused - are you saying they can make us take classes? I thought we just had to look for work and that was it. My cousin said something about them requiring computer classes but I figured that was just for certain people...
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Yuki Kobayashi
•NYS Department of Labor can refer you to training programs but they can't force you to enroll in most cases. However, refusing reasonable retraining opportunities without good cause could potentially affect your benefits. It's usually presented as an option to help you find work faster.
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