What do unemployment benefits mean - confused about NYS Department of Labor process
I keep hearing people talk about unemployment but I'm honestly confused about what it actually means. My boss just told me they might have to let me go next month and someone mentioned I should look into unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I've never dealt with this before and don't really understand how it works. Do you just get money for being unemployed? Is there paperwork involved? How long does it take? Sorry if this sounds dumb but I'm really lost here.
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Jenna Sloan
Not a dumb question at all! Unemployment benefits are temporary financial assistance when you lose your job through no fault of your own. In New York, you apply through the NYS Department of Labor and if approved, you receive weekly payments while you search for new work. The amount depends on your previous earnings. You'll need to file weekly claims and meet job search requirements. The process starts with filing an initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website.
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Raul Neal
•Thank you! So it's like insurance for losing your job? Do I have to pay anything upfront or is it free to apply?
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Christian Burns
basically its money the government gives you when you get fired or laid off. you file online and they send you payments every week. just make sure you keep applying for jobs because they check on that stuff
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Sasha Reese
To add to what others said - unemployment insurance is funded by employer taxes, so you don't pay to apply. However, there are eligibility requirements. You need sufficient work history and earnings in your 'base period' (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters). If you're laid off, start your NYS Department of Labor application immediately since there's a waiting week. The weekly benefit amount is roughly half your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum.
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Muhammad Hobbs
•Wait, there's a waiting week? So you don't get paid the first week you're unemployed?
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Sasha Reese
•Correct - the first week is unpaid. It's called a waiting week and it applies to most unemployment claims in New York.
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Noland Curtis
I was in your exact situation last year when my company downsized. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim. The phone lines are always busy and the online chat barely works. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.
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Diez Ellis
•Never heard of that but honestly anything beats sitting on hold for 3 hours just to get disconnected
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Vanessa Figueroa
The whole system is a nightmare tbh. Even when you do everything right they find ways to delay your payments or question your eligibility. Just be prepared for a lot of bureaucratic BS and keep detailed records of everything you do.
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Diez Ellis
Don't let the negative comments scare you though! Yes the system has issues but millions of people get unemployment benefits successfully every year. The key is understanding the rules upfront and following them exactly. Good luck with everything!
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