What do you need to be eligible for unemployment benefits in NY?

The main requirements for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits are: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), 2) You must have earned at least $2,600 in your highest earning quarter, 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your high quarter wages, 4) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, and 5) You must be able, available, and actively seeking work. Since you worked 8 months at your restaurant job and were laid off, you likely meet the basic requirements.

You'll need to do 3 work search activities per week once you start claiming. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or meeting with career counselors. Keep detailed records because NYS Department of Labor can audit your job search log at any time. Also make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if you haven't heard back about your initial application - that's super important for getting paid.

ugh the whole application process is such a nightmare though. I've been trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim status and their phone lines are always busy. The website crashes half the time too. But definitely apply if you think you qualify - even if there are delays you want to get your claim date established as early as possible.

Just apply! Worst case they say no but at least you'll know for sure. I was worried about the same thing when I got laid off from my retail job but turned out I qualified no problem. The process isn't as scary as it seems.

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job instead of being laid off, you probably won't qualify. They're pretty strict about that. But since you said you were laid off due to slow business, that should be fine. Also make sure you have your employer's info handy when you apply because they'll need details about your last job.

@QuantumQueen Based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify! Working 8 months at the restaurant and being laid off (not fired for cause) checks the main boxes. The wage requirements that Aisha mentioned are pretty reasonable - if you made around $15k total, you're likely well above the minimums. I'd recommend applying sooner rather than later because there can sometimes be delays in processing, and your benefit period starts from when you first file, not when you get approved. Also, don't stress too much about the job search requirements right away - you'll get more info about that once your claim is processed. Good luck!