NYS Department of Labor claim question - what is the difference between disguised unemployment and seasonal unemployment?
I'm trying to understand my claim status better and keep seeing these terms thrown around. What exactly is the difference between disguised unemployment and seasonal unemployment when it comes to NYS Department of Labor benefits? I work in landscaping and my hours got cut way back in December, but I'm still technically employed with the same company. They said I might qualify for partial benefits but I'm confused about which category I fall into. Does it matter for my weekly claims?
11 comments
Join the conversation
Ryan Andre
Good question! Disguised unemployment is when you're technically employed but severely underemployed - like working 10 hours a week when you used to work 40. Seasonal unemployment is when your job naturally ends due to the season (like construction workers in winter). For NYS Department of Labor purposes, if you're still employed but working reduced hours, you'd likely qualify for partial unemployment benefits regardless of the technical term.
0 coins
Nora Bennett
•That makes sense! So even though I'm still on payroll, the reduced hours could qualify me for partial benefits?
0 coins
Lauren Zeb
I went through something similar last winter. NYS Department of Labor looks at your weekly earnings vs your base period when determining partial benefits. If your hours are cut significantly, you can still collect some unemployment. The key is reporting your exact earnings each week when you file your weekly claim.
0 coins
Daniel Washington
•This is so helpful! I had no idea you could get partial benefits while still technically employed.
0 coins
Aurora Lacasse
wait I thought seasonal workers couldn't get unemployment at all? my friend who works at a ski resort said she couldn't file when the season ended
0 coins
Ryan Andre
•That's a common misconception. Seasonal workers CAN get unemployment benefits in NY, but there are some additional requirements. Your friend should definitely look into it again or call NYS Department of Labor to verify.
0 coins
Anthony Young
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to clarify your situation, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr that helped me connect with an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone until I used their service.
0 coins
Nora Bennett
•Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to call for days with no luck. How long did it take for them to connect you?
0 coins
Anthony Young
•It was pretty quick actually - much faster than sitting on hold for hours. The agent was able to explain my exact situation and what documentation I needed to submit.
0 coins
Charlotte White
The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing with all these different categories. I've been filing for 3 months and still don't fully understand half the terminology they use on the website.
0 coins
Lauren Zeb
•I totally get that frustration. The good news is once you understand your specific situation, the weekly claims become routine. Just focus on reporting your earnings accurately each week.
0 coins