Unemployment claim denied: My earnings of $14,880 don't meet the 1.5x highest quarter requirement ($16,661) - why weren't July/August 2023 wages counted?

My unemployment claim got denied and I don't understand why. I worked from February to August 2023 and made about $21k total. They sent me a notice showing why I was denied, and I'm trying to understand the requirements better. According to their notice, I don't meet the requirements. The notice specifically states the reason I was denied is: "The total wages for your base period are less than 1 1/2 times the total wages for the highest quarter of earnings in your base period" The document shows: Highest Quarter Wages = $11,107.97 $11,107.97 X 1.5 = $16,661.95 (1 1/2 times my Highest Quarter Wages) It also states "If your highest calendar quarter is more than $11,088.00 total earnings in the other base period quarters must equal at least $5,544.00" They only counted wages until June 2023 and left out July-August. Here's how they broke down my wages: Basic Base QUARTER 04/01 - 06/30 2022: $0.00 Basic Base QUARTER 07/01 - 09/30 2022: $0.00 Basic Base QUARTER 10/01 - 12/31 2022: $0.00 Basic Base QUARTER 01/01 - 03/31 2023: $3,772.44 Basic Base QUARTER 04/01 - 06/30 2023: $11,107.97 TOTAL BASE PERIOD WAGES: $14,880.41 Alternate Base QUARTER shows the same information, with my total base period wages at $14,880.41. The notice also mentioned other requirements I didn't meet, with checkboxes: - You did not work and earn wages in at least two calendar quarters of your base period. - You were not paid at least $3100 in wages in one of the calendar quarters of your base period. Can anyone explain what I'm missing here? The math doesn't make sense to me. I earned about $21k total from February to August 2023, but they only counted $14,880.41. Why weren't July and August 2023 included? And why am I not meeting the 1.5x requirement when I worked for 7 months?

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18 comments

Miguel Diaz

•10M

Let me break this down for you in detail: NY unemployment uses either a Basic Base Period or Alternate Base Period. The Basic looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. The Alternate uses the last 4 completed quarters. To qualify you need: - Wages in at least 2 quarters - At least $3,100 in one quarter - Total wages must be 1.5x your highest quarter Looks like you're falling short on the 1.5x requirement. Your highest quarter is $11,107, so you need total wages of $16,661. Your total is only $14,880. Best options: 1. Wait till January to refile 2. Call them through claimyr.com to discuss alternatives 3. Request a review if you think wages are missing Hope this helps! 💯

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Kyle Wallace

•5M

I went through the exact same thing last year! The base period calculation is honestly the most confusing part of NY unemployment. What helped me was calling the DOL directly (took forever to get through) and having them walk through my wage history quarter by quarter. They were able to explain exactly which quarters they were looking at and why certain wages weren't included. Also double check that all your employers properly reported your wages - sometimes there are delays or mistakes in their reporting that can affect your base period calculation. Don't give up, the system is complicated but there are people there who can help clarify things if you can get through to them!

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