NYS Department of Labor job search requirements - how to avoid unemployment benefits running out
I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks now and I'm getting really anxious about my benefits running out. I know the NYS Department of Labor requires job search activities but I'm not sure if I'm doing enough to avoid having my claim end. I've been applying to maybe 2-3 jobs per week and logging them in the system. Is this sufficient or do I need to be doing more? I really want to get back to work before my benefits expire but the job market seems tough right now. What are other people doing to meet the work search requirements and actually land interviews?
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Miguel Silva
The NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search activities per week minimum, so you're meeting that requirement. But I'd suggest increasing your efforts - apply to 5-7 jobs weekly, attend job fairs, and consider networking events. Also make sure you're documenting everything properly in your weekly claim filings. The job search log is crucial if they audit your claim.
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StarSailor}
•Thanks for the advice! I didn't realize I could count job fairs and networking events. Are there specific ways I need to document those activities?
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Zainab Ismail
ugh the job search thing is so stressful, ive been on ui for 4 months and still nothing. at least you're being proactive about it
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Connor O'Neill
Here's what worked for me - I used LinkedIn Learning courses to improve my skills while job hunting. NYS Department of Labor counts those as valid work search activities if they're related to your field. Also, reaching out to contacts in your industry can count as networking activities. Document the date, company/contact name, and method of contact for each activity.
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Yara Nassar
•Wait, online courses count as work search activities? I had no idea! Do you know where this is specified in the NYS Department of Labor guidelines?
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Keisha Robinson
I was having trouble reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor to clarify some of the work search requirements, especially around what counts as valid networking activities. A friend told me about claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to unemployment agents. I watched their demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI and decided to try it. Got connected to an actual person within an hour who explained exactly what documentation I needed. Much better than spending days trying to call the regular number.
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StarSailor}
•That sounds too good to be true - how much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially on unemployment.
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Keisha Robinson
•It was worth it for me to get accurate information rather than guessing. The peace of mind knowing I was meeting all requirements properly was invaluable.
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GalaxyGuardian
Don't stress too much about the work search thing. I know people who just apply to random jobs they're not qualified for just to meet the quota. The system is broken anyway.
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Miguel Silva
•That's actually terrible advice. NYS Department of Labor can audit your job search activities and if they find you weren't making genuine efforts, you could face disqualification and have to pay back benefits.
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Paolo Ricci
Same boat here! Been unemployed since December and really trying to find something before my benefits end. The job market feels impossible right now but I keep pushing.
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