What has highest unemployment rate in NYS - trying to understand my job search requirements
I'm on unemployment and my case worker keeps telling me I need to expand my search to areas with better job opportunities. She mentioned something about unemployment rates being different across regions but I'm confused about what that means for my weekly claims. Do I have to look for jobs in areas that have the highest unemployment or lowest? And does this affect my job search log requirements? I've been filing weekly claims for 6 weeks now and want to make sure I'm doing everything right.
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Yara Nassar
You want to look in areas with LOW unemployment rates, not high. High unemployment means fewer jobs available. Your case worker probably meant you should consider expanding to regions with more job opportunities (lower unemployment). For your job search log, NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search activities per week regardless of regional unemployment rates.
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QuantumQuester
•Oh that makes way more sense! I was so confused why she'd want me looking where there are fewer jobs. Thank you for clarifying the work search requirement too.
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Keisha Williams
the upstate regions usually have higher unemployment than downstate but you dont have to move or anything just show youre looking
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Paolo Ricci
Your job search activities need to be documented properly in your log. You can search anywhere in NY state or even out of state if it's reasonable for your field. The unemployment rate in different areas doesn't change your weekly filing requirements - you still need to certify every week and report any work or earnings. Focus on areas where there are actually job openings in your field rather than worrying about unemployment statistics.
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Amina Toure
•This is really helpful info. I've been stressing about the regional stuff but sounds like I just need to keep doing my 3 activities and filing weekly.
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Oliver Zimmermann
I had similar confusion when I was dealing with my unemployment claim last year. Couldn't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about this stuff. Finally found 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 showing how it works. Really saved me a lot of headache trying to get answers about my job search requirements.
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QuantumQuester
•How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call for days but can never get through.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Basically they help you get past the busy signals and connect with an actual person at NYS Department of Labor. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.
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CosmicCommander
the whole system is so confusing they should just tell you exactly what to do instead of making you guess about unemployment rates and stuff
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