Recent college grad looking for a job - can I file for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits?

Unfortunately, to qualify for regular unemployment benefits in New York, you need to have worked and earned wages that were subject to unemployment insurance taxes. Campus work typically doesn't count unless it was through a regular employer, not work-study. You'd need to have earned at least $2,600 in covered employment during your base period to qualify for UI benefits. Since you just graduated, you likely don't meet the earnings requirement.

been there! graduated two years ago and went through the same thing. you cant get regular unemployment but you might want to look into other programs. also make sure you're documenting your job search activities anyway because if you do get work and then lose it later, NYS Department of Labor will want to see that you were actively looking

Check if your campus work was actually regular employment vs work-study. If you were a regular employee at the university (like in the dining hall or library as a non-work-study position), those wages might count toward your base period. You can request a wage transcript from NYS Department of Labor to see if any of your earnings were reported. Also look into SNAP benefits and other assistance programs while you're job hunting.

I had a similar issue trying to reach NYS Department of Labor about my wage history when I was between jobs. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person at NYS Department of Labor in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

The unemployment system is just broken for people in transition! I graduated during COVID and it was a nightmare trying to figure out what I qualified for. The whole system assumes everyone has this linear work history when real life doesn't work that way. At least now the job market is better than it was then, but still frustrating.

I'm in a similar boat - graduated last year and went through this exact same confusion about unemployment eligibility. One thing that helped me was looking into temporary staffing agencies while job hunting. They often have entry-level positions that can bridge the gap and start building your work history for future unemployment claims. Also, don't overlook your college's career services - mine had resources for recent grads that I didn't know about until months after graduation. The job market is tough but you'll get through it!

Hey Connor! I was in your exact shoes about 3 years ago - SUNY graduate with just work-study experience trying to figure out the unemployment system. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, you likely won't qualify for regular UI benefits without substantial covered wages. But here's what I wish someone had told me: look into your county's workforce development programs! Many counties in NY have special programs for recent college graduates that include job placement assistance, skills training, and sometimes even stipends or support while you're in training. Also, if you haven't already, register with NYS Jobs (jobs.ny.gov) and set up job alerts - it's the state's official job board and some employers specifically recruit through there. The waiting and uncertainty is really hard, but this phase won't last forever. Keep documenting your search activities like others suggested, and don't hesitate to take temporary or contract work to start building that employment history. Good luck!