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I'm so confused about all this! I just got laid off and I have no idea what I'll qualify for. Do they look at my gross pay or net pay? And what if I had a raise during the year - does that help or hurt my benefits calculation? This whole process is overwhelming and I'm worried I won't get enough to cover my bills.
They use your gross wages, not net pay. A raise during your base period could help if it increases your highest quarter earnings. Don't worry - the NYS Department of Labor will calculate everything automatically when you file your claim. Focus on getting your application submitted with accurate employment history.
honestly the whole system is a mess right now, unemployment numbers don't even reflect reality because so many people gave up looking or are working gig jobs that don't get counted properly
Back to your original question - if you're looking at this strategically, focus on sectors that are actively hiring rather than areas with high unemployment. Healthcare, tech, and skilled trades are showing consistent job growth in NY. The unemployment rate tells you about job losses, but job creation data tells you about opportunities.
I was in a similar situation last year and had trouble reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about my application. The phone lines are always busy and the callback system doesn't work half the time. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself and I got my questions answered the same day.
One thing to keep in mind is that even though you can file immediately, it might take a few weeks for your claim to be processed and approved. NYS Department of Labor has to verify your employment history and sometimes that takes time. Don't panic if you don't see payments right away. Also make sure you start doing your weekly claims as soon as you're able to - that's how you actually request the money each week.
Just make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after you're terminated! You can't backdate unemployment benefits in New York, so every week you wait is money you're losing. Even if you think your employer might contest it, file anyway - you can always appeal if they deny your initial claim.
Adaline Wong
Don't forget you also might qualify for partial benefits if you're working reduced hours! NYS Department of Labor has rules about earning up to a certain amount and still getting some unemployment payment. Saved my butt when I got cut to 2 days a week.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•Oh that's good to know! I might end up with reduced hours instead of being laid off completely.
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Gabriel Ruiz
just file the claim and see what happens lol, you can always appeal if the amount seems wrong
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