NYS Department of Labor unemployment when trump took office - benefits still available?
I'm really confused about what happens to my unemployment benefits now that there's been a change in administration. I've been receiving regular UI payments from NYS Department of Labor since I got laid off from my retail job in December. My weekly claim certification has been going smoothly but now I'm hearing conflicting information about whether federal programs might get cut or changed. Does anyone know if my regular unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor are safe? I still have about 8 weeks left on my claim and I really can't afford to lose this income right now. The job market is still pretty tough and I'm doing my required job searches but haven't found anything yet.
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Felix Grigori
Your regular NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits shouldn't be affected by federal administration changes. Regular UI is a joint federal-state program that's been stable for decades. The weekly certification process and benefit amounts are determined by New York state law and your previous earnings. Federal emergency programs like the pandemic extensions are what typically get modified, but regular unemployment insurance continues regardless of who's in office.
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Savannah Glover
•Thank you! That's really reassuring. I was getting worried because someone at the grocery store told me all unemployment was going to get cut.
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Felicity Bud
omg same worry here!! been on UI for 6 weeks and was panicking about this
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Max Reyes
The regular unemployment system operates independently of presidential changes. Your NYS Department of Labor benefits are funded through employer payroll taxes and federal unemployment taxes that don't change with administrations. Keep filing your weekly claims and doing your job search activities as required. The only time benefits typically get affected is during major economic legislation, which requires Congressional approval and usually takes months to implement.
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Mikayla Davison
•But what if they decide to make the job search requirements stricter? I'm already doing 3 job contacts per week like NYS Department of Labor requires.
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Max Reyes
•Job search requirements are set at the state level. New York's current requirement is 3 work search activities per week, and that's unlikely to change quickly even if there were federal pressure.
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Adrian Connor
I was having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask this exact question! The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. The agent confirmed that regular unemployment benefits continue normally regardless of administration changes.
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Savannah Glover
•How does that service work? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about a different issue.
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Aisha Jackson
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN ANYWAY!!! Doesn't matter who's president, NYS Department of Labor takes forever to process claims and the job search requirements are ridiculous. Three contacts a week when most places don't even respond to applications anymore!
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Ryder Everingham
•I get the frustration but the job search requirement helps ensure people are actively looking. It's annoying but it's not that hard to meet if you track your applications properly.
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Ryder Everingham
Just keep filing your weekly claims on schedule and don't worry about political changes affecting your regular UI benefits. The unemployment insurance system has operated consistently through many different administrations. Focus on your job search and meeting the NYS Department of Labor requirements - that's what actually matters for keeping your benefits active.
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