Need help understanding what unemployment is defined as for NYS Department of Labor eligibility

Unemployment for NYS Department of Labor purposes isn't just about not having a job. You need to be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own, able and available to work, and actively seeking employment. There are specific monetary requirements too - you need sufficient wages in your base period. The key thing is that you lost your job due to lack of work, not because you quit or were fired for misconduct.

The 'able and available' part trips up a lot of people. You have to be physically and mentally capable of working, and you can't have restrictions that prevent you from accepting suitable work. Like if you can only work certain hours or refuse jobs in your field, that could be a problem. You also need to be actively looking for work and document your job search activities.

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to get clarification on my eligibility when I first applied. The phone lines are always busy and it's frustrating when you need answers about something this important. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was really helpful for getting my specific questions answered about my situation.

The NYS Department of Labor definition also includes monetary eligibility requirements. You need to have earned a certain amount in wages during your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. If you don't meet the wage requirements, you won't qualify even if you meet all the other criteria.

Don't forget about the work search requirements too! Being unemployed for NYS Department of Labor purposes means you're actively looking for work. You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep records of your search activities. This is part of being 'available' for work.