What every worker should know about unemployment insurance - NYS Department of Labor basics?
Started a new job last month and realized I know absolutely nothing about unemployment insurance in case something happens. My older brother went through a layoff two years ago and said the NYS Department of Labor process was confusing and he wished he'd known more beforehand. What are the basic things every NY worker should understand about UI before they actually need it? Like eligibility requirements, how much you can get, job search rules, etc. I don't want to be scrambling to figure this stuff out if I ever lose my job.
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NeonNebula
Good thinking to learn this ahead of time! Basic eligibility: you need to have worked and earned wages in NY during your base period (first 4 of last 5 completed quarters), be unemployed through no fault of your own, and be able/available to work. Weekly benefit amount is roughly half your average weekly wage up to a maximum. You'll need to file weekly claims and document your job search - currently 3 work search activities per week. The whole process starts at labor.ny.gov and you should file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.
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Malik Thomas
•Thanks! What counts as work search activities? Is applying to jobs enough or do you need to do other things too?
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Isabella Costa
Most important thing - keep records of EVERYTHING. Every job you apply to, every networking event, career fairs, even informational interviews count toward work search. NYS Department of Labor can audit your job search log at any time and if you can't prove you did the required activities, they'll make you pay back benefits. Also understand the difference between being laid off vs fired for cause - only the first typically qualifies for UI.
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Ravi Malhotra
•This is so true about keeping records. I got audited 6 months after my claim ended and had to scramble to find proof of my job searches.
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Freya Christensen
honestly the whole system is a mess... filed for benefits last year and it took WEEKS just to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask basic questions. the website crashes all the time and half the info is outdated. just pray you never have to deal with it
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Omar Farouk
•I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor too until someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to actual agents instead of waiting on hold forever. There's even a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me hours of frustration when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
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Chloe Davis
Wait, what's the base period thing? I've only been working for 8 months at my current job. Does that mean I wouldn't qualify if I got laid off tomorrow?
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NeonNebula
•The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January-December 2024. You need sufficient wages during that time period to qualify. If you've only worked 8 months, you might still qualify depending on when you started and how much you earned.
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AstroAlpha
also know that if you get any severance pay or vacation payout it might delay when your benefits start!! learned this the hard way
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Malik Thomas
•Oh wow I never thought about that. Good to know for planning purposes.
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