What is unemployment insurance benefit - confused about NYS Department of Labor eligibility
I just lost my job last week and everyone keeps telling me to file for unemployment insurance benefit but honestly I have no clue what that even means. Like is this some kind of government handout or insurance I was paying into? My boss mentioned something about NYS Department of Labor but I've never dealt with them before. I'm 24 and this is my first real job loss so I'm completely lost. Do I actually qualify for money and how much are we talking? Also how long does this whole process take because my rent is due in 3 weeks.
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Yara Sabbagh
Unemployment insurance (UI) is a program you've actually been paying into through payroll deductions from your paychecks. When you lose your job through no fault of your own, you can file a claim with NYS Department of Labor to receive weekly benefits. The amount depends on your previous earnings but it's typically around 50% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $504 per week in NY. You need to have worked long enough and earned enough in your base period to qualify.
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Connor O'Brien
•Wait so I was already paying for this? That makes me feel better about applying then. How do I know if I worked long enough though?
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Keisha Johnson
To qualify for unemployment insurance benefit in NY you need to have worked in at least 2 quarters during your base period and earned at least $2,700 total. Your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. You also need to be able and available for work and actively searching for new employment. File your claim online at ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a waiting week.
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Paolo Rizzo
•this is all correct but just want to add that you should file immediately even if you're not sure about eligibility - let NYS Department of Labor make that determination
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QuantumQuest
ugh the whole system is confusing as hell. i remember when i first filed i had no idea what i was doing either. basically unemployment insurance benefit is money the state gives you while you look for work but theres a million hoops to jump through. you have to certify every week that youre looking for jobs and they can ask for proof. also dont expect to get paid right away - mine took like 3 weeks to get approved
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Connor O'Brien
•3 weeks?? I really can't wait that long for money. Is there any way to speed it up?
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Amina Sy
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask questions about your eligibility, I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you connected to a real agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck trying to reach someone for days until I used their service and got through in like 20 minutes. Really helped me understand my claim status and what I needed to do next.
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Oliver Fischer
•interesting, never heard of that before. is it legit or just another way to take advantage of unemployed people?
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Amina Sy
•It's totally legitimate - they just help you get through the phone queue faster. I was skeptical too but it actually worked and I didn't have to give them any personal info about my claim.
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Natasha Petrova
Same boat as you last year! Unemployment insurance benefit basically replaces part of your lost income while you search for work. Think of it as temporary financial assistance that you earned through working. The key things to remember: file immediately, be honest about your job search, and keep detailed records of where you apply. NYS Department of Labor will send you information about job search requirements once your claim is processed.
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