NYS Department of Labor - what is UI unemployment benefits exactly?
I keep seeing UI mentioned everywhere but I'm honestly confused about what UI unemployment actually means. Is it different from regular unemployment? I lost my job two weeks ago and trying to figure out if I should apply for UI or just unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. The website keeps using these terms interchangeably and I don't want to mess up my application. Can someone explain the difference or if they're the same thing?
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Zara Mirza
UI just stands for Unemployment Insurance - it's the same thing as regular unemployment benefits! When you file with NYS Department of Labor, you're applying for UI. The terms are used interchangeably. UI is just the official acronym they use in government documents and on the my.ny.gov website.
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Sean Kelly
•Oh wow, that makes so much more sense now! I thought I was missing some other program I should be applying for.
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Luca Russo
yeah ui is just unemployment insurance, same thing as regular unemployment. dont overthink it just file your claim on the nysdol website
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Nia Harris
UI = Unemployment Insurance. It's the official name for what most people just call 'unemployment benefits.' When you file with NYS Department of Labor, you're filing for UI benefits. The weekly payments you receive are UI payments. Don't get confused by all the acronyms - UI, unemployment benefits, and unemployment insurance all refer to the same program administered by NYS Department of Labor.
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GalaxyGazer
•This is helpful! I was also confused because I saw PUA and PEUC mentioned in old posts and thought those were still available.
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Nia Harris
•PUA and PEUC were pandemic programs that ended in 2021. Now it's just regular UI through NYS Department of Labor for most people.
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Mateo Sanchez
I had the same confusion when I first applied! UI is just the technical term. When you're on the phone with NYS Department of Labor agents, they'll say UI. When you're talking to friends, you'll probably just say unemployment. Same program, different names. Make sure you file within the first week of being unemployed to avoid any delays.
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Sean Kelly
•Thanks! I'll file this week then. The NYS Department of Labor website seemed so overwhelming with all the different terms.
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Aisha Mahmood
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask questions about your UI claim, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made it so much easier than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.
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Sean Kelly
•That's really helpful, thank you! I was dreading having to call if I ran into issues with my application.
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