What is unemployment insurance claim - confused about NYS Department of Labor process
I just lost my job last week and everyone keeps telling me to file an unemployment insurance claim but I honestly have no idea what that even means. Like I know it's money from the government but how does it work exactly? Do I have to pay it back? How much can I get? I went to the NYS Department of Labor website but it's so confusing with all the forms and requirements. Can someone explain this in simple terms? I'm really stressed about paying my rent next month.
9 comments
Join the conversation
Collins Angel
An unemployment insurance claim is basically your application to receive temporary financial assistance while you're looking for work. You don't have to pay it back as long as you're eligible. In New York, you can receive up to 26 weeks of benefits, and the amount depends on your previous earnings. The NYS Department of Labor calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. You'll need to file weekly claims to continue receiving payments and meet job search requirements.
0 coins
Avery Davis
•Thank you! That makes more sense. How do I know if I'm eligible though? I was only at my job for about 8 months.
0 coins
Marcelle Drum
The basic requirements are that you lost your job through no fault of your own, you're able and available to work, and you've earned enough wages during your base period. For NYS Department of Labor, your base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Even with 8 months of work, you might qualify if you earned enough. The minimum is having wages in at least two quarters of your base period.
0 coins
Tate Jensen
•this is correct but also you have to actively search for work every week and keep records of your job search activities
0 coins
Adaline Wong
Been through this process twice now and honestly the NYS Department of Labor system is a nightmare to navigate. Half the time their website doesn't work and when you call you get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. But yes unemployment insurance is basically a safety net - you pay into it through payroll taxes when you work, so when you lose your job you can claim benefits. Just be prepared for a lot of bureaucratic headaches.
0 coins
Gabriel Ruiz
•I had the same problem with calling NYS Department of Labor! I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.
0 coins
Misterclamation Skyblue
wait so do i need to have worked for a whole year to get unemployment? i was only at my last job for like 6 months but i had another job before that
0 coins
Collins Angel
•No, you don't need to work a full year at one job. The NYS Department of Labor looks at all your covered employment during your base period, so if you had multiple jobs that all paid into unemployment insurance, they count all of those wages together.
0 coins
Peyton Clarke
Just want to add that you should file your claim as soon as possible after losing your job. There's a one week waiting period in NY and benefits are not retroactive to before you file. Also make sure you understand the difference between filing your initial claim and filing your weekly claims - you have to do both to keep getting payments.
0 coins