NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits - what has the best coverage compared to other options?
I'm trying to figure out if NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits are actually competitive or if there are better options out there. My claim was just approved for $504 weekly which seems decent but I'm wondering if this is actually good coverage. I've been paying into the system for 8 years and honestly don't know how our benefits stack up. The job search requirements seem pretty reasonable (3 contacts per week) but I'm curious what other people think about the overall package. Has anyone compared what we get here versus what they might offer elsewhere? I know the maximum is around $504 but I'm getting the full amount so I can't complain there.
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Oliver Wagner
NYS Department of Labor benefits are actually pretty solid compared to many places. The $504 maximum is decent and the 26 weeks of coverage is standard. The job search requirement of 3 contacts weekly is manageable too. Your benefit amount is calculated as roughly half your average weekly wage up to that $504 cap, so if you're getting the full amount that means you were earning good money. The adjudication process can be slow but once you're approved the payments are reliable.
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GalaxyGazer
•Thanks, that makes me feel better about it. I was worried I was missing out on something better but $504 for 26 weeks does seem reasonable.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
honestly the benefits are ok but the system is such a pain to deal with. took me forever to get through adjudication and calling NYS Department of Labor is impossible most days
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Javier Mendoza
•If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone, I had success using a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I needed to resolve an adjudication issue and couldn't get through on my own.
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Emma Thompson
The benefits themselves are decent but what really matters is how smoothly the process works. I've heard horror stories about people waiting months for adjudication to clear. The weekly claim filing is pretty straightforward though - just make sure you keep track of your job search activities because they can audit that.
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Malik Davis
•Wait, they can audit your job search? What exactly do they check for?
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Emma Thompson
•They want to see that you're making genuine efforts to find work. Keep records of where you applied, when, and any responses you got. The job search log in your my.ny.gov account helps track this.
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Isabella Santos
I mean the money is whatever but the real question is how fast you can get it and how long it lasts. 26 weeks goes by pretty quick if you're in a tough job market
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StarStrider
Been on UI twice in the past few years and honestly it's been a lifesaver both times. The $504 weekly plus the extended benefits during tough economic periods really helped bridge the gap. Sure the NYS Department of Labor bureaucracy can be frustrating but the actual benefit structure is solid. Just make sure you understand the difference between regular UI and standby if your employer puts you on temporary layoff.
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GalaxyGazer
•Good point about standby - I'm on regular UI since my position was eliminated permanently. Glad to hear the system worked well for you overall.
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