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The whole NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing! They make you jump through hoops just to find out basic information about your own benefits. Why can't they just have a simple calculator that actually works?
I agree it's frustrating but there are good reasons why it's complicated. Everyone's work history is different and they have to verify everything to prevent fraud. Still annoying though when you just want a quick estimate.
Based on $700 weekly for 8 months, you're probably looking at somewhere between $250-350 per week, but that's just a rough guess. The actual amount depends on exactly when you worked, what quarters those wages fall into, and whether you had any other jobs during your base period. You really need to file the claim to get the exact calculation.
This has been such an eye-opening discussion! I'm new to this community and honestly had no clue unemployment calculations were this complex. I always thought it was just a simple percentage of your current pay. Reading through everyone's responses really shows how important it is to understand the system before you actually need it. @AstroAlpha, I hope your job situation works out, but it sounds like you're getting great advice here about being prepared. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know if having multiple part-time jobs during your base period affects the calculation differently than having one full-time job? I work two part-time positions and want to make sure I understand how that would factor in if I ever need to file.
@Lilly Curtis Great question about multiple part-time jobs! Yes, having multiple employers during your base period can actually work in your favor. The NYS DOL combines wages from ALL employers during your base period when calculating your highest quarter. So if you re'working two part-time jobs that together total more than one full-time job would pay, your benefit amount could potentially be higher. Just make sure all your employers are reporting your wages correctly to the state - sometimes smaller employers or part-time positions don t'always stay on top of their quarterly reporting. When you file your claim, you ll'need to list all employers from your base period, so keep good records of both jobs. The calculation still follows the same 1/26th of highest quarter rule, but with combined wages from all sources.
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Hey Malik, really sorry about your accident - that sounds incredibly stressful on top of dealing with the injury itself. Just wanted to chime in with some additional info that might help. While you're focusing on workers comp (which is definitely the right first step), you should also know that once you're medically cleared to return to work, you can potentially file for unemployment even if there's a gap between when you're cleared and when you actually find work. The NYS Department of Labor will want documentation from your doctor showing you're able to work again. Also, if your injury results in any permanent limitations that prevent you from doing your previous type of construction work, there might be vocational rehabilitation benefits available through workers comp to help retrain you for different work. Best of luck with everything - construction injuries can be complicated but there are definitely resources out there to help you through this!
This is really comprehensive advice, Isabella! I hadn't thought about the vocational rehab aspect - that could be huge if Malik ends up with any lasting limitations from the leg injury. Construction work is so physically demanding, and even after healing, sometimes you can't go back to exactly the same type of work you were doing before. @Malik Jenkins, definitely something to keep in mind as you go through the workers comp process. They should evaluate not just your immediate medical needs but also your long-term ability to return to your previous job duties. The fact that you mentioned your supervisor said they can't hold your position suggests you might need to look at other options anyway, so vocational rehab benefits could really help with retraining or transitioning to a different type of work within construction that's less physically demanding.
Just wanted to add another perspective on the timing aspect - I went through a similar situation when I injured my back in a warehouse accident. One thing that caught me off guard was that there can be a waiting period before workers comp payments start (usually about a week in NY), so make sure you have some emergency funds if possible to cover that gap. Also, if your injury ends up being more serious than initially expected and takes longer to heal, workers comp should continue to cover you - don't let anyone pressure you to return to work before you're medically cleared. The construction industry can be tough about this stuff, but your health comes first. Document everything your doctor tells you about restrictions and recovery timeline. And definitely keep all your medical appointments - missing them can sometimes be used against you in the workers comp process. Hang in there, and don't be afraid to ask questions throughout the process!
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This thread has been absolutely fantastic! I'm about 5 months into my current position and like so many others here, I had completely wrong assumptions about unemployment eligibility. I honestly thought you needed to work at one company for at least a year, maybe even longer, before you could qualify for any benefits. Learning that New York uses a quarter-based system that looks at your total work history is such a game-changer - it makes the whole system seem way more reasonable and fair for how people actually work today. @Maggie Martinez I really hope your quarterly review next week goes well, but it's so reassuring that you now know you're covered if anything unexpected happens! I'm definitely going to check out that benefits calculator that @Lia Quinn mentioned - seems like such a smart way to know where you stand without having to stress about it. This community is incredible for breaking down confusing government processes into information that actually makes sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!
@Romeo Barrett I m'so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! I just joined this community today and stumbled across this discussion while researching unemployment eligibility myself. Like everyone else here, I had totally wrong assumptions about how it all works. I thought you needed to be at one job for like 18 months minimum or something! The quarter-based system is such a relief to learn about - it actually seems designed for real people in real work situations rather than some outdated model. I m'fairly new to the NY job market myself and this kind of practical information is exactly what I was looking for. Definitely going to bookmark this thread and check out that calculator everyone s'mentioning. It s'amazing how much clearer government processes become when people share their actual experiences instead of just pointing you to confusing official websites!
This has been such an enlightening discussion! I'm about 4 months into my first job in NY and had absolutely no idea how unemployment benefits actually worked. Like so many others here, I just assumed you needed to work at one place for at least a year before you could even think about qualifying. Learning that NY uses a quarter-based system that considers your entire work history is incredibly reassuring - it shows the system was actually designed around how people really work, not just traditional long-term employment. @Maggie Martinez I hope your review goes great next week, but it's wonderful that you got such clear answers here! I'm definitely going to use that benefits calculator @Lia Quinn mentioned to check my own situation. This community is amazing for explaining complex government stuff in terms that actually make sense to real people. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge!
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I'm currently going through this same situation right now - 4 months pregnant and just started collecting unemployment after my restaurant job closed down. The application process was honestly pretty straightforward, and being pregnant never came up as an issue with NYS Department of Labor. The weekly certification is just the standard questions about being able to work and looking for jobs. I've been approved for 8 weeks so far without any problems. The job search part is definitely harder though - I'm starting to show and some employers seem hesitant during interviews, but that's their problem, not the state's. Just be honest about your ability to work and keep detailed records of your job applications. You'll be fine!
That's so helpful to hear from someone going through it right now! I'm about 12 weeks along and was really stressed about applying, but hearing these real experiences makes me feel much better. The job search discrimination thing is frustrating but at least I know the unemployment part should work out. Thanks for sharing - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this situation. Hope you find something good soon!
I just wanted to add my experience as someone who collected unemployment while pregnant in NY about 6 months ago. The process was really smooth - I filed online and never had to mention my pregnancy status anywhere in the application. The key thing is just being honest about your ability and availability to work on the weekly certifications. I was able to collect benefits for about 4 months while job searching, and NYS Department of Labor never questioned anything pregnancy-related. The hardest part was definitely dealing with employer bias during interviews once I started showing, but that's a separate issue from getting your benefits approved. Keep good records of your job search activities and you should be all set. Wishing you the best with everything!
Thanks for adding your recent experience! It's really encouraging to hear that the online application process doesn't even ask about pregnancy status. I was wondering if they'd have some kind of medical questionnaire, but it sounds like it's just the standard work eligibility questions. Your point about keeping good job search records is helpful too - I'll make sure to document everything properly. It's frustrating that employer bias is still such an issue, but at least knowing the unemployment benefits part should be straightforward takes some stress off. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!
Miranda Singer
Thank you everyone for all the info! I'm going to file a new claim during my last week and hope for the best. I'll make sure to gather all my gig work documentation just in case they need proof of some employment. This is all so stressful!
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Malia Ponder
•Good luck! Hope it goes smooth for you 👍
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Eva St. Cyr
Just wanted to add that if you do get denied for a new claim, don't give up! You can appeal the decision and also look into other assistance programs while you're waiting. In NYC there's emergency rental assistance, SNAP benefits, and some local food banks that can help bridge the gap. Also check if your county has any emergency cash assistance programs - some do offer short-term help for people transitioning between benefit periods. The whole system is really complicated but there are other safety nets out there if you know where to look.
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Malik Davis
•This is really good advice! I didn't know about the emergency rental assistance programs. Do you know if there's a specific website or office I should contact to find out about these programs in my area? I'm in upstate NY (not NYC) so I'm not sure if the same resources are available here.
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