What makes you disqualified for unemployment benefits in NY - need to understand the rules
I'm really confused about NYS Department of Labor disqualification rules and want to make sure I don't mess up my claim. I've been working part-time at a retail job for 8 months but my hours got cut to almost nothing. I'm thinking about quitting to focus on finding full-time work but I'm scared I'll get disqualified if I quit voluntarily. What are all the things that can disqualify you from unemployment benefits? I keep reading different things online and want to know the actual rules so I don't screw myself over.
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Javier Mendoza
The main disqualifications for NYS unemployment are: quitting without good cause, getting fired for misconduct, refusing suitable work without good cause, not being able and available for work, and not meeting the work search requirements. If you quit your job, you'll likely be disqualified unless you can prove it was for good cause like unsafe working conditions or harassment.
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AstroAdventurer
•What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? My manager has been really difficult lately but I don't know if that's enough reason.
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Emma Wilson
You can also get disqualified if you don't do your weekly job search activities. NYS Department of Labor requires you to apply for jobs and keep a log of your search efforts. Missing work search requirements or lying about them will get you cut off fast.
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Malik Davis
•How many jobs do you have to apply to each week? I thought it was 3 but someone told me it might be more now.
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Emma Wilson
•It's 3 work search activities per week minimum, but they can be job applications, networking events, or other approved activities. Check the NYS Department of Labor website for the full list.
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Isabella Santos
dont quit your job!!! even if hours are cut you might still qualify for partial benefits. i made that mistake and got disqualified for like 6 weeks. the system is set up to screw you over if you quit voluntarily
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AstroAdventurer
•Really? I didn't know you could get partial benefits. How does that work with reduced hours?
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Javier Mendoza
Other disqualifications include not being a US citizen or authorized to work, not earning enough in your base period, being incarcerated, or receiving certain other benefits that conflict with unemployment. Also, if you're attending school full-time, that can disqualify you unless it's approved training.
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Ravi Gupta
I got disqualified once for not responding to a NYS Department of Labor request for information within the deadline. They wanted documentation about why I left my previous job and I thought I had more time to send it. Make sure you respond to ANY communication from them immediately!
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GalacticGuru
•This happened to my friend too. She missed one letter and boom - disqualified. The deadlines are really strict.
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Freya Pedersen
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to clarify your situation, I had success using a service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get through to an actual agent instead of being stuck in phone queue hell. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get answers about my disqualification appeal.
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AstroAdventurer
•Thanks for this! I've been trying to call for days and can never get through. Will definitely check this out.
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Malik Davis
The worst part about disqualifications is they can be retroactive. Like if they find out later you weren't following the rules, they can demand back all the money you already received as an overpayment. That's scary stuff right there.
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