What counts as a job contact for unemployment weekly claims - NYS Department of Labor requirements?
I'm filing my weekly claim and totally confused about what actually counts as a job contact for the NYS Department of Labor job search requirement. I applied to 5 jobs online this week but I'm not sure if they all qualify. Does submitting an application through Indeed count? What about following up on applications I sent last week? I don't want to mess up my claim by reporting the wrong activities. Can someone break down exactly what the NYS Department of Labor considers valid job contacts?
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Owen Jenkins
Yes, online applications through job boards like Indeed absolutely count as job contacts for NYS Department of Labor requirements. You need 3 job search activities per week. Valid contacts include: submitting applications, attending job fairs, networking events, contacting employers directly, or meeting with career counselors. Make sure you keep records with employer names, dates, and how you contacted them in case NYS Department of Labor requests documentation.
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Alice Coleman
•Thank you! Should I be keeping screenshots of my applications or just writing down the details?
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Owen Jenkins
•I keep a simple log with company name, position, date applied, and method (online, email, phone). Screenshots are good backup but not required unless they ask for proof.
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Lilah Brooks
wait i thought it was just 2 job contacts per week? i've been doing 2 this whole time...
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Jackson Carter
•It's 3 job search activities per week in New York. You might want to check your past weekly claims to make sure you reported at least 3 each week. If you've been reporting only 2, that could be an issue with your benefits.
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Kolton Murphy
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to clarify this exact question last month. Spent hours on hold trying to get through to verify what counted. Finally used claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent who explained the rules clearly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Way easier than trying to call yourself when you need specific answers about job search requirements.
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Alice Coleman
•Interesting, I'll check that out. The NYS Department of Labor phone lines are impossible to get through to.
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Evelyn Rivera
Following up on previous applications DOES count as a separate job contact! So if you applied somewhere last week and called or emailed this week to check status, that's another valid contact for your weekly claim. Just make sure you're actually making contact attempts, not just thinking about following up.
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Alice Coleman
•Perfect, that means I actually have 7 contacts this week instead of 5. Thanks for clarifying!
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Julia Hall
The NYS Department of Labor job search rules are so confusing. I wish they would just give clear examples instead of making us guess what counts and what doesn't.
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Arjun Patel
same here! been doing mostly online apps but wasn't sure if they were good enough
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Marcelle Drum
Online applications are definitely valid! I've been filing claims for 6 months now and the NYS Department of Labor accepts any legitimate job search activity. Besides online apps through Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, etc., you can also count things like: updating your resume on job sites, attending virtual job fairs, reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, or even informational interviews with people in your field. The key is documenting everything - I keep a spreadsheet with company name, position, date, and method of contact. As long as you're actively searching and can show 3 genuine attempts per week, you should be fine.
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QuantumQueen
•This is super helpful! I never thought about counting resume updates on job sites as job search activities. Does updating your LinkedIn profile also count, or does it need to be more direct contact with employers?
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