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I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and the website chat never worked for me. I actually found 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. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
The weekly claim questions are pretty straightforward - did you work, did you look for work, are you able and available to work, etc. Just answer truthfully. If you worked any hours that week you have to report it and they'll reduce your benefits accordingly but you might still get partial benefits depending on how much you earned.
The NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating!!! I've been trying to understand my benefit calculation for weeks and every time I call I get different information. One person told me they use gross wages, another said they adjust for certain deductions. Which is it??
Don't forget you also have to register for work with the NYS Department of Labor job search website and keep your profile updated. And if you refuse a suitable job offer without good cause, you can lose your benefits. 'Suitable' generally means work that's similar to your previous job in terms of skills and pay, but as time goes on they might expect you to accept lower-paying positions.
The whole system is rigged against workers!! They push you into jobs that pay nothing while corporations get tax breaks. Low unemployment just means more people working multiple part time jobs to survive. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care if you can actually live on what they're forcing you to accept.
The current unemployment rate in NY is around 4.1% as of December 2024, so you're definitely in the 'low unemployment' category. Make sure you're documenting everything in your job search log - the expanded radius requirements, salary considerations, and any job rejections. Keep detailed records because if there's ever a question about your eligibility, you'll need proof you were actively searching within the guidelines they gave you.
Ethan Clark
I had a nightmare trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my eligibility after a layoff. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.
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Zara Mirza
•Thanks, I'll definitely look into that if I need to speak with someone directly about my options.
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AstroAce
The whole unemployment system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere? I'm in a similar boat trying to figure out if I can retire early without losing everything.
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