What to do if you don't qualify for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits - need other options

Sorry to hear about the denial. There are several options you should look into: SNAP benefits for food assistance, emergency rental assistance programs through your county, and temporary assistance (cash aid) through your local social services office. Also check if you qualify for Medicaid for health coverage. The 211 helpline can connect you to local resources - just dial 2-1-1.

Yes, you should definitely appeal if you think they made an error calculating your base period wages. You have 30 days from the determination date. Sometimes they miss wages from certain employers or don't count all your quarters correctly. While the appeal is pending, you can apply for other assistance programs - they don't affect each other.

I was in the exact same boat 6 months ago. Applied for SNAP right away which helped with groceries, then got on the emergency rental assistance waitlist through my county. Also look into local food banks and churches - many have emergency assistance funds. The Salvation Army helped me with a utility bill when I was between jobs.

ugh the system is so broken! i got denied too even though i worked my butt off for months. ended up having to move back in with family temporarily. also check gig work apps like instacart or doordash for quick cash while job hunting

One more thing - if you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about your appeal or get clarification on the denial, I recently found out about a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people reach unemployment agents by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out since the phone lines are always so busy.

also apply for jobs at temp agencies while doing all this other stuff. they sometimes have same-day placements and even if its not permanent at least you'll have some income coming in. staffmark and randstad usually have openings

I went through this exact situation about a year ago. In addition to what others mentioned, definitely check if your county has a "One-Stop" career center - they often have emergency assistance funds and can help with resume writing and job placement. Also, if you have any unpaid wages from your previous employer, you can file a wage claim with NYS Department of Labor even if you were denied UI benefits. That helped me recover about $800 I was owed. Don't give up on the appeal either - bring any pay stubs or W-2s you have to show your work history. The system can be confusing but there are people who want to help you navigate it.

I'm in a similar situation right now - just got denied last week for the same reason (not enough hours in base period). One thing I learned is that you should also check if you qualify for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) or any extended benefits if you had any UI claims in the past few years. Also, your local community college might have emergency student aid if you're considering going back to school - some programs are specifically for people who lost jobs. The financial aid office can sometimes help even if you're not enrolled yet. Hang in there - this community has been really helpful for me in figuring out all these different programs I never knew existed.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add a few more resources that helped me when I was denied UI benefits last year. First, check if your area has a 211 resource guide website - you can search by zip code for local assistance programs. Second, many utility companies have hardship programs that can reduce or defer your bills while you're between jobs - call them directly and ask about payment assistance options. Third, if you have any medical expenses, hospitals are required to have charity care programs that can reduce or eliminate bills based on income. Also wanted to mention that some libraries offer free career counseling and computer access for job searching. The librarians often know about local resources too. Keep your chin up - navigating all these systems is overwhelming but there really are safety nets out there once you know where to look!

I'm sorry to hear about your situation - being denied unemployment benefits when you're already struggling financially is really tough. I went through something similar a few months ago and what helped me was applying for multiple programs at once rather than waiting for one to come through. In addition to what others have mentioned, I'd suggest checking if your county has a "211" website where you can search for local resources by category. Also, many churches and community organizations have emergency assistance funds even if you're not a member - they often help with rent, utilities, or groceries without a lot of red tape. Food pantries can really help stretch your budget too. Don't forget to keep documenting everything for your potential appeal - sometimes employers don't report all wages correctly to the state. I know it feels overwhelming right now, but there are more resources available than you might think. Take it one day at a time and don't be afraid to ask for help - that's what these programs are for!