NYS Department of Labor definition - what is the meaning of unemployment for benefits?
I'm trying to understand what exactly counts as 'unemployment' according to NYS Department of Labor rules. I know it sounds like a basic question but I'm getting confused about whether certain situations qualify. Like if you're working part-time but looking for full-time work, or if you got laid off but are doing some freelance gigs while job hunting. The my.ny.gov website has all these technical definitions but I can't figure out what applies to my situation. Does anyone know the actual meaning of unemployment when it comes to filing claims?
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Freya Andersen
For NYS Department of Labor purposes, unemployment means you're totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own AND you're able and available for work. You can work part-time and still collect partial benefits as long as you report all earnings on your weekly claim. The key is that you have to be actively seeking full-time work and register with the job search system.
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Ravi Patel
•So if I'm doing some freelance work but still looking for a regular job, I can still file? I was worried that any income would disqualify me completely.
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Omar Zaki
Yeah you definitely need to report ALL income including freelance work when you do your weekly certification. NYS Department of Labor will reduce your benefit amount based on what you earn but you might still get partial benefits. The important thing is being honest about everything - they cross-check with tax records.
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CosmicCrusader
•This is so confusing! I thought unemployment meant you had zero income at all.
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Chloe Robinson
I had trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to get clarification on this exact question. Ended up using claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent who explained it all. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.
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Ravi Patel
•How much does that service cost? I've been trying to call for weeks with no luck.
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Chloe Robinson
•It's worth it just to get real answers about your specific situation instead of guessing from the website.
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Diego Flores
The system is so broken! They make the definitions intentionally confusing so people mess up and get denied benefits. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and still don't understand half their rules.
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Anastasia Kozlov
•totally agree!! why cant they just use normal english instead of all this legal jargon
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Sean Flanagan
Been there! The basic meaning is you lost work through no fault of your own (layoffs, business closure, etc.) and you're actively looking for new employment. But there are tons of nuances depending on your situation.
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