Why would i be denied unemployment benefits in NY - need to understand common reasons

There are several common reasons NYS Department of Labor denies claims. The main ones are: 1) Not earning enough wages in your base period (usually need $2,400+ in one quarter), 2) Being fired for misconduct or quitting without good cause, 3) Not being able and available to work, 4) Refusing suitable work offers. Check your determination letter - it should have a specific reason code that explains exactly why you were denied.

A02 usually means insufficient wage credits in your base period. NYS Department of Labor looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. You need at least $2,400 in wages in one quarter AND total wages of at least 1.5 times your high quarter. If you only worked 8 months, you might not have enough wages depending on when you started and when you filed.

wait so if you dont make enough money they just deny you completely?? that seems backwards, like the people who need help most get screwed over

I had a similar issue last year when I got denied initially. I was able to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to explain my situation, but it took forever trying to call them. Actually ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less frustrating than sitting on hold for hours.

You should definitely appeal the decision if you think it's wrong! You have 30 days from the date on the determination letter to file an appeal. Even if your wages were low, they might be able to use the alternate base period or there could be other factors they didn't consider.

the whole system is broken honestly. they make it so complicated to figure out if you qualify and then when you get denied they dont even explain it properly. hope you can get it sorted out

Hey Ella, I went through something similar when I first applied. The A02 code definitely means insufficient wage credits like others mentioned. One thing that helped me was requesting a "wage transcript" from NYS DOL to see exactly what wages they have on record for your base period quarters. Sometimes employers don't report wages correctly or there are delays in reporting. You can request this through your NY.gov account. Also, make sure to check if you're eligible for the alternate base period - it uses the most recent 4 quarters instead of the standard base period, which might work better if you started your job in March 2024. Don't give up, there are often options even after an initial denial!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and it's so frustrating when they don't clearly explain the denial reasons! Since you got the A02 code, it's definitely the wage issue that others mentioned. One thing I learned is that you can also check if you qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or other federal programs if you don't meet the state requirements, though those programs have mostly ended. Also, if you do appeal (which you absolutely should within those 30 days), make sure to gather all your pay stubs and any documentation of your work history. Sometimes there are reporting errors or delays that can be corrected. The alternate base period suggestion is spot on - that saved me when my initial claim was denied. Don't let the complicated system discourage you from fighting this!

I'm really sorry to hear about your denial, Ella. This is such a common frustration and you're definitely not alone in feeling confused by the process. Based on what others have shared about the A02 code and your work timeline (March to November 2024), it does sound like the wage issue is likely the culprit. The good news is that you have solid options to explore - definitely request that wage transcript to verify everything was reported correctly by your employer, and the alternate base period could be a game changer for your situation since you have more recent work history. Make sure to file your appeal before that 30-day deadline and specifically ask them to consider the alternate base period calculation. The system is frustrating but don't give up - many people who get initially denied end up qualifying after appeal, especially when wage reporting issues or base period calculations are involved. Keep all your documentation organized and stay persistent with the process!

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I work in HR and see these situations pretty frequently. The A02 denial code for insufficient wage credits is one of the most common denial reasons, especially for people who started jobs in the middle of a year. What many people don't realize is that NY uses a very specific "base period" calculation that can work against newer employees. The good news is that the alternate base period option was specifically designed for situations like yours where someone has recent work history but doesn't meet the standard base period requirements. When you appeal, I'd also suggest asking for a detailed breakdown of how they calculated your wages - sometimes there are employer reporting delays or errors that can be corrected. The key is being persistent and making sure you explicitly request the alternate base period review in your appeal paperwork. Don't let the bureaucratic process discourage you from getting the benefits you've earned through your work!

Hey Ella! I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago - got the dreaded A02 code and was completely lost about what it meant. Everyone here has given you really solid advice about the alternate base period and wage transcript, but I wanted to add one more tip that really helped me. When you call or file your appeal, ask them to also check if your employer properly reported all your wages under the correct social security number. I found out that my employer had a typo in my SSN for the first few months of my employment, so some of my wages weren't being credited to my account at all! It was a simple fix once we caught it, but it would have been impossible to figure out without specifically asking them to verify the wage reporting details. Also, don't be discouraged if the appeal process takes a while - mine took about 6 weeks but I eventually got approved and received all the back payments. The system is definitely confusing but you're on the right track now that you understand what's happening!

I'm going through something very similar right now and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I got denied with what sounds like the same A02 code about two weeks ago, and like you Ella, I was completely confused by the vague "eligibility requirements" language in the denial letter. Reading everyone's explanations about the base period calculations and wage requirements finally makes it click why I was denied. I started my job in April 2024 and filed my claim in December after getting laid off, so it sounds like I'm in almost the exact same boat with not having enough wages in the earlier quarters they're looking at. I'm definitely going to follow all the advice here - requesting the wage transcript, filing an appeal with a specific request for alternate base period consideration, and double-checking that all my wages were reported correctly. It's such a relief to know that getting initially denied doesn't mean it's over, and that so many people here have successfully gotten approved on appeal. Thanks everyone for breaking down such a confusing process into actionable steps!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a denial right now too and was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out what went wrong. The explanation about A02 codes and base period calculations makes so much more sense than the generic denial language they send. I had no idea there was an alternate base period option or that you could request wage transcripts to verify everything was reported correctly. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - when I was researching this, I found that NY also has a "Telephone Claims Center" number (1-888-209-8124) specifically for people who need help understanding their determinations or filing appeals. The wait times are still brutal, but at least it's a direct line for claims issues rather than the general customer service number. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and breaking down all these options - it's given me so much hope that this denial isn't the end of the road!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! Got my A02 denial about a week ago and was completely baffled by the vague explanation. Like many others here, I started a new job partway through 2024 (May in my case) and filed after being laid off in January 2025, so the base period issue makes perfect sense now. What I found particularly helpful was the advice about checking for SSN or employer reporting errors - that's something I never would have thought to verify. I'm planning to request the wage transcript first to see exactly what's in my record, then file my appeal with specific requests for the alternate base period calculation and a detailed breakdown of how they computed my wages. One question for those who've been through this process - is it better to file the written appeal first and then follow up with phone calls, or should I try calling that dedicated number (1-888-209-8124) before submitting paperwork? I want to make sure I'm approaching this in the most effective way possible. Thanks everyone for turning what felt like a hopeless situation into something I can actually tackle with confidence!