What is the current rate of unemployment in New York - does this affect my NYS Department of Labor benefits?
I keep hearing different numbers about unemployment rates and I'm wondering what the actual current rate is in New York right now. Does the unemployment rate affect how long I can collect benefits or if they'll extend programs? I'm on week 18 of my claim and getting nervous about what happens when I hit the limit. Also wondering if a lower unemployment rate means they're stricter about job search requirements?
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Ella Lewis
The current unemployment rate in New York is around 4.2% as of the latest data, which is considered relatively low. This doesn't directly affect your benefit duration - you still get your full 26 weeks of regular UI benefits regardless of the state rate. However, extended benefits (EB) programs do depend on unemployment rates, and with rates this low, there probably won't be any extensions available when you exhaust your regular claim.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Thanks for the info! So I definitely need to step up my job search then. Are they really checking the job search logs more strictly when unemployment is low?
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Andrew Pinnock
yeah the rate has been dropping for months now, think it was like 5.8% this time last year. not great news for anyone close to exhausting benefits
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Brianna Schmidt
The job search requirements remain the same regardless of unemployment rates - you still need to make 3 work search contacts per week and keep your log updated. However, NYS Department of Labor does tend to audit job search compliance more frequently when unemployment is low. Make sure you're documenting everything properly in your online account.
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Alexis Renard
•Wait, I thought it was 2 job contacts per week? Or did they change it again? I've been doing 2 this whole time...
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Brianna Schmidt
•It's been 3 contacts per week for regular UI claims since 2023. You should update your search activity to meet the current requirement to avoid any issues with your weekly certifications.
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Camila Jordan
I was having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact thing - whether the rates affect anything. Kept getting busy signals for weeks. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. The agent confirmed that benefit duration isn't tied to current unemployment rates, but extended programs definitely are.
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Hunter Edmunds
•How much does that service cost? Getting through to NYS Department of Labor has been impossible for me too.
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Camila Jordan
•They focus on the value of actually reaching an agent rather than cost. Check out their site for details, but for me it was worth it to get definitive answers instead of guessing.
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Tyler Lefleur
The unemployment rate stuff is all political anyway. They manipulate the numbers to make things look better than they are. I've been looking for work for 4 months and there's nothing out there that pays decent wages.
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Madeline Blaze
•I feel you on the job market being tough even with 'low' unemployment. Hang in there!
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Keisha Brown
Just wanted to add that even though NY's unemployment rate is relatively low at 4.2%, don't let that discourage you from your search. The rate measures people actively looking for work, but it doesn't capture underemployment or people who've given up searching. Keep documenting those 3 weekly job contacts properly - I learned the hard way that they do spot-check compliance. Also, start thinking about backup plans for after week 26 since extended benefits are unlikely with current rates. Maybe look into workforce development programs or training opportunities that might be available through your local One-Stop Career Center while you're still collecting.
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Ryder Greene
•This is really helpful advice, thank you! I didn't realize they do spot-checks on job search compliance. I've been documenting everything but maybe not as thoroughly as I should. Do you know what exactly they look for when they audit your job search log? And those One-Stop Career Centers - are they free programs or is there a cost involved? I'm trying to plan ahead since it sounds like I really shouldn't count on any extensions.
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