What are the rules for unemployment benefits in NY - need complete breakdown
Just lost my job yesterday and I'm completely lost about how unemployment works in New York. I've never filed before and I'm seeing all these different requirements online but nothing that explains it clearly. What are the actual rules I need to follow to get benefits? Like do I have to apply for a certain number of jobs each week? How much can I earn if I work part time? When do I need to certify? I'm really stressed about messing something up and losing benefits before I even get them. Can someone break down the basic rules in simple terms?
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Zoe Walker
The main rules for NY unemployment are pretty straightforward once you understand them. First, you need to file your initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website within 7 days of becoming unemployed. Then you'll certify weekly for benefits every Sunday. For job search requirements, you need to make at least 3 work search activities per week and keep a log. You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit rate without it affecting your payment. Make sure you're able and available to work each week when you certify.
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Ryan Kim
•Thank you! What counts as a work search activity? Does applying online count or do I need to do something else?
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Elijah Brown
Work search activities include applying for jobs, attending job interviews, going to job fairs, networking events, or meeting with career counselors. Online applications definitely count but you need to keep detailed records - employer name, position, date applied, method of application. The NYS Department of Labor can audit your job search log at any time so make sure everything is documented properly.
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Maria Gonzalez
•this is so much paperwork ugh why do they make it so complicated
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Natalie Chen
I've been dealing with the NYS Department of Labor system for months and honestly the phone lines are impossible. If you need to talk to someone about your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to real NYS Department of Labor agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows exactly how it works. It was a lifesaver when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
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Santiago Martinez
•Sounds too good to be true tbh. How much does something like that cost?
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Natalie Chen
•I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't mention pricing upfront but honestly it was worth it to avoid spending hours on hold getting nowhere.
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Samantha Johnson
Also important - report ANY work you do during the week when you certify, even if it's just a few hours. The system will calculate your partial payment automatically. Don't try to hide work because they cross-reference with wage databases and you'll end up with an overpayment notice. Been there, done that, not fun to deal with.
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Ryan Kim
•Good to know! What happens if I accidentally don't report something small like a one-day gig?
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Nick Kravitz
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! They make you jump through hoops for benefits you already paid into through taxes. Three job searches a week but half the jobs posted are fake or already filled. And don't even get me started on how long adjudication takes when they decide to "investigate" your claim for no reason.
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Maria Gonzalez
•seriously though the job search thing is ridiculous when there aren't even that many real jobs out there
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Zoe Walker
If you accidentally don't report income, contact the NYS Department of Labor immediately to correct it. Small oversights can usually be fixed without penalties if you're proactive about it. The key is being honest and transparent with all your reporting. Also remember you have appeal rights if any decisions don't seem correct.
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