NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits during recession - high unemployment stage affecting my claim?
I've been unemployed for 8 weeks now and just wondering if anyone else is noticing that the job market seems really tough right now. My NYS Department of Labor weekly claims are going through fine but I'm barely getting any responses to applications. Is this what they call a recession when unemployment is high and companies aren't hiring? My benefits run out in 18 weeks and I'm starting to worry. Has anyone had luck with the job search requirements during times like this when there just aren't many openings?
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Nora Bennett
You're right that we're in a challenging phase of the economic cycle. During periods of high unemployment and low production, the NYS Department of Labor often adjusts job search requirements to reflect market realities. Make sure you're documenting all your job search activities thoroughly - they understand it's harder to find work right now. You might also want to look into extended benefits if they become available.
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Oscar Murphy
•Thanks, that's reassuring. I've been keeping detailed records of every application. Should I be applying to jobs slightly outside my field too?
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Ryan Andre
same boat here... been filing weekly claims for 6 weeks and the job market is absolutely brutal. barely getting any callbacks
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Lauren Zeb
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor agents to discuss your situation, I had success using claimyr.com recently. They helped me get through to someone when I couldn't get past the busy signals. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I needed to clarify some job search requirement questions during this tough period.
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Daniel Washington
•How much does that cost though? I'm already struggling financially and don't want to pay for something if I can eventually get through myself.
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Lauren Zeb
•It's worth checking out their site for the details. For me it was worth it to avoid the stress of trying to call dozens of times. But yeah, totally understand being careful with expenses right now.
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Aurora Lacasse
The whole system is messed up!! They expect us to find jobs when there ARE NO JOBS. Then they threaten to cut benefits if we don't apply to enough places. It's like they don't understand basic economics - when unemployment is high, there's literally not enough work to go around!
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Anthony Young
•I feel you on the frustration but they do have to maintain some standards. The job search requirement helps ensure benefits go to people actively looking.
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Charlotte White
Been through a few of these economic downturns over the years. The key is to cast a wider net - apply to temp agencies, consider part-time work, maybe look into retraining programs. NYS Department of Labor sometimes has additional resources during high unemployment periods. Don't give up, the cycle always turns around eventually.
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Oscar Murphy
•Good point about temp agencies. I hadn't really considered that route but it might help bridge the gap until things improve.
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