Who is most affected by unemployment - NYS Department of Labor statistics and experiences?
I've been trying to understand patterns in unemployment claims after losing my retail job last month. From what I've seen at the NYS Department of Labor office and talking to other claimants, it seems like certain groups are hit harder than others. Young people, older workers over 50, and people without college degrees seem to struggle more with finding new work. I'm 28 with just a high school diploma and this is my third time filing for unemployment in the past five years. Each time it gets harder to find decent paying work. Has anyone else noticed these patterns? What demographics are you seeing most affected in your area?
12 comments


PixelPrincess
Your observation aligns with NYS Department of Labor statistics. Workers aged 16-24 and those 55+ typically face longer unemployment periods. Industries like retail, hospitality, and manufacturing see higher claim volumes. Educational attainment is a significant factor - those with high school education or less experience unemployment rates nearly double compared to college graduates. Geographic location within New York also matters, with rural areas often seeing higher rates than urban centers.
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Astrid Bergström
•That makes sense about the age groups. I've noticed the older workers at the job center seem especially frustrated because they have experience but employers seem to prefer younger candidates.
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Omar Farouk
Been unemployed three times in the past decade and yeah, it's definitely harder for some groups. I'm in my 40s and work in manufacturing - every time the plant cuts jobs, it's the same story. The younger guys get hired back first or find new jobs faster. Plus if you don't have connections or tech skills, you're basically screwed in today's job market.
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Chloe Martin
•Manufacturing is tough right now. Have you looked into the NYS Department of Labor's retraining programs? They offer skills development for workers transitioning from manufacturing to other sectors. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding can cover certification programs.
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Diego Fernández
omg yes!! im 22 and this is so hard. like every job wants 3-5 years experience but how do you GET experience if no one will hire you?? been on unemployment for 6 months now and its getting really depressing. my parents keep telling me to just take ANY job but minimum wage barely covers rent
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PixelPrincess
•Entry-level positions are challenging. Consider NYS Department of Labor's apprenticeship programs or community college partnerships. Many offer paid training while you maintain your unemployment benefits through programs like the Trade Adjustment Assistance.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
When I was having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone to discuss my situation, I found Claimyr really helpful at claimyr.com. They got me through to an actual agent who explained my options for retraining programs. There's even a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Made the whole process much less frustrating than sitting on hold for hours.
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Astrid Bergström
•How much does that cost? I'm already stretched thin on unemployment benefits.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•It's worth checking out - they focus on getting you connected rather than charging huge fees. The value is in actually reaching someone who can help with your specific situation.
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Sean Fitzgerald
Single mothers are definitely hit hard too. Childcare costs make it almost impossible to take certain jobs, and if you have gaps in employment history from raising kids, employers treat you like you've been sitting around doing nothing. The whole system is broken.
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PixelPrincess
•NYS Department of Labor does offer childcare assistance through certain programs, and the SNAP Employment and Training program can help with job search support for parents. Worth exploring if you qualify.
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Zara Khan
this thread is so depressing but true. been out of work 8 months now and yeah im starting to see the patterns. if you dont have the right skills or connections youre basically invisible to employers
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