NYS Department of Labor unemployment after minimum wage job ended - questions about eligibility
I just lost my minimum wage job at a small retail store and I'm confused about filing for unemployment. My manager said the store couldn't afford to keep all the staff after the recent wage increases. I was making $15/hour for about 8 months before they let me go. I've never filed for unemployment before and I'm worried I might not qualify since it was a minimum wage position. Does NYS Department of Labor treat minimum wage workers differently? I heard somewhere that you need to make a certain amount to be eligible but I can't find clear information on the my.ny.gov website. Also wondering if the reason for the layoff (store saying they can't afford higher wages) affects my claim at all?
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Heather Tyson
You absolutely can qualify for unemployment benefits even if you were making minimum wage! NYS Department of Labor doesn't discriminate based on your wage level. What matters is that you earned enough wages during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) and that you lost your job through no fault of your own. Since you worked 8 months at $15/hour, you should have sufficient wage credits. The store's financial difficulties actually support your claim since it shows the separation wasn't due to misconduct on your part.
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Paloma Clark
•That's such a relief! I was really worried I wouldn't qualify. Should I mention in my application that the store cited wage costs as the reason for the layoffs?
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Raul Neal
same thing happened to me last year when the restaurant i worked at cut hours then closed completely after minimum wage went up. got unemployment no problem, just took forever to get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions
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Paloma Clark
•How long did your claim take to process? I'm hoping to file this week but worried about delays.
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Raul Neal
•took about 3 weeks for me but that was during busy season. file as soon as possible though
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Jenna Sloan
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor agents when I needed help with my claim verification. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual person. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Made the whole process much less stressful when I could actually talk to someone about my specific situation instead of waiting on hold for hours.
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Christian Burns
•Never heard of that before, is it legit? I hate being on hold but also don't want to get scammed.
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Jenna Sloan
•Yeah it's real, they just help you get through the phone queue. I was skeptical too but it actually worked and saved me tons of time trying to reach NYS Department of Labor.
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Sasha Reese
The whole system is messed up honestly. These small businesses get squeezed by wage mandates then workers like us get thrown under the bus. At least unemployment exists but the NYS Department of Labor makes it unnecessarily complicated to apply. Make sure you document EVERYTHING about your job loss because they'll question every detail.
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Paloma Clark
•What kind of documentation should I keep? I have my final paystub and the termination notice from my manager.
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Muhammad Hobbs
File your claim immediately - don't wait! You can apply online through my.ny.gov and the process is pretty straightforward. The minimum wage amount doesn't matter for eligibility, only that you worked and earned wages. Since your employer cited financial reasons rather than performance issues, you should have a smooth approval process. Just be honest about the circumstances and keep records of your job search activities since you'll need to certify weekly that you're looking for work.
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Paloma Clark
•Thanks for the advice! I'll start the application tonight. Do I need to wait until my final paycheck clears or can I file right away?
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Muhammad Hobbs
•File right away - there's usually a waiting week anyway. Your final pay date will be part of the application but don't delay filing.
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