NYS Department of Labor minimum wage job search affecting my unemployment benefits - confused about requirements
I've been collecting unemployment for about 8 weeks now and I'm really confused about the job search requirements when it comes to minimum wage positions. My previous job paid $22/hour as a warehouse supervisor but most of the jobs I'm finding in my area are minimum wage retail or food service. The NYS Department of Labor website says I need to apply for "suitable work" but doesn't clearly explain if I have to take minimum wage jobs or if that would affect my benefits. I'm worried about refusing jobs that pay way less than what I was making but also don't want to mess up my claim. Has anyone dealt with this situation? What counts as suitable work when minimum wage is so much lower than your previous salary?
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Natasha Petrova
The NYS Department of Labor has specific guidelines about suitable work that consider your previous wage level. Generally, in the first few weeks of your claim, you don't have to accept jobs that pay significantly less than your previous position. However, after a certain period (usually around 10-13 weeks), the wage threshold requirements become more flexible. You should be documenting all job applications in your job search log, including any you decline and the reasons why. Make sure you're still applying to positions even if they're below your previous wage - the key is showing you're actively seeking work.
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Oliver Becker
•Thanks for the info! Do you know exactly what percentage of my previous wage I can refuse? I don't want to accidentally disqualify myself by turning down the wrong job.
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Javier Hernandez
i think you have to take any job after like 3 months or something? not sure about the exact rules but my cousin got in trouble for not taking a walmart job when he was on unemployment
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Emma Davis
•That's not entirely accurate. The NYS Department of Labor suitable work provisions are more nuanced than that. It depends on your work history, the local job market, and how long you've been unemployed. You can't just be forced to take any minimum wage job immediately - there are protections in place.
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LunarLegend
This is SO stressful! I'm in a similar situation and keep getting anxious about every job I don't apply for. What if they audit my job search activities and think I'm being too picky? I've been applying to everything just to be safe but I'm worried about getting called for interviews at places that pay half what I used to make. Should I go to the interviews even if I know I can't afford to take the job?
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Natasha Petrova
•Yes, you should attend interviews if called. Failing to show up for a scheduled interview without good cause can result in a disqualification. You can still decline a job offer if it doesn't meet suitable work criteria, but you need to document your reasons clearly.
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Malik Jackson
I had this exact problem last year when I was trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor about suitable work questions. Calling their main number was impossible - always busy or I'd get disconnected after waiting forever. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Worth checking out if you need to speak to someone about your specific situation and the job search requirements.
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Oliver Becker
•Interesting, I'll look into that. I really do need to talk to someone because the online info is pretty vague about the wage requirements.
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Javier Hernandez
•how much does that cost though? seems like another way to make money off unemployed people
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Isabella Oliveira
The whole system is ridiculous anyway. They tell you to look for work but then the available jobs don't pay enough to live on. Minimum wage in NY might sound decent but when you factor in rent and everything else, you're better off staying on unemployment. It's like they want to force people into poverty wages.
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Emma Davis
•I understand the frustration, but the goal of unemployment benefits is temporary income replacement while you search for comparable work. The suitable work provisions exist to give you time to find appropriate employment without forcing you into significantly lower-paying positions immediately.
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Ravi Patel
had similar issue when i was on UI couple years ago, ended up taking a part time minimum wage thing just to show i was working but kept looking for better jobs. you can work part time and still collect some benefits i think
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