Why is unemployment so low right now - does this affect NYS Department of Labor claim approval?
I keep hearing that unemployment rates are really low nationwide but I'm struggling to find work after being laid off from my warehouse job in December. Filed my claim with NYS Department of Labor and it's been approved, but I'm worried about the job search requirements since everyone says jobs are everywhere. Is it harder to stay qualified for benefits when unemployment is low? I've applied to probably 40 places in the last month but only heard back from like 3. Starting to wonder if the low unemployment numbers mean NYS Department of Labor is going to be stricter about work search verification.
9 comments
Join the conversation
Logan Stewart
Low unemployment doesn't change your eligibility requirements. You still need to do your 3 work search activities per week and be able and available for work. The job market being good on paper doesn't mean you personally have to accept the first job offered or that NYS Department of Labor will deny your claim for being selective. Keep documenting your search activities properly and you'll be fine.
0 coins
Diego Castillo
•That's reassuring, thanks. I've been keeping detailed records of every application and contact. Just worried because my cousin in another state got questioned about why he hadn't found work yet.
0 coins
Mikayla Brown
honestly the unemployment numbers are misleading anyway... lots of people working multiple part time jobs just to survive and they count as employed even if they're barely making ends meet
0 coins
Sean Matthews
I had a similar concern when I was on unemployment last year. What helped me was understanding that low unemployment doesn't mean there are jobs in YOUR field or at YOUR skill level. When you do your weekly certification, just answer honestly about your work search efforts. If you're genuinely looking and meeting the requirements, NYS Department of Labor isn't going to penalize you because the overall economy is doing well.
0 coins
Ali Anderson
•This is so true! The unemployment rate doesn't account for job quality or whether positions match your experience level.
0 coins
Zadie Patel
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask about work search requirements, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to unemployment agents by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck on hold for hours trying to get answers about my job search log, but with their help I actually spoke to someone within 20 minutes.
0 coins
Diego Castillo
•Interesting, I might check that out. The phone lines are always busy when I try to call.
0 coins
A Man D Mortal
•Never heard of that but anything to avoid sitting on hold for 3 hours sounds good to me lol
0 coins
Declan Ramirez
The whole system is rigged anyway. They talk about low unemployment but then make it impossible to actually get benefits when you need them. I spent 6 weeks in adjudication last year for no reason.
0 coins