Introduction to Unemployment Benefits in New York City
It’s a tough job market right now for lots of New Yorkers. As Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to cut staff across federal agencies, at least 942 former federal workers have filed for unemployment in New York State in the last two months according to a Department of Labor spokesperson. That doesn’t count people cut from jobs with nonprofits or services organizations affected directly by federal budget cuts. And more federal layoffs are likely soon. For example, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to cut over 80,000 employees from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and New York City has some of the highest concentrations of VA hospitals in the country. And it’s not just people in federal jobs: February saw the most job cuts nationally since Covid, including in retail, tech, and finance. If you lose your job in New York, you have a safety net: unemployment insurance benefits, often referred to as simply “unemployment.” The state Department of Labor runs the benefit system, which is funded by taxes on employers. Claiming unemployment can get you up to $504 a week, depending on how much you’ve earned per quarter in the previous year.
Who Qualifies for Unemployment Insurance Benefits
In New York, you can file for unemployment if you meet these criteria:
- You lost your job through no fault of your own
- You have worked in New York in the last 18 months — not necessarily lived here, but worked here
- You are ready, willing and able to work and are actively looking for a new job
- and you’re authorized to work in the U.S.
The first part — that you lost your job through no fault of your own — covers almost all layoffs. If you’re fired, it’s definitely harder to get benefits, but not always impossible. If you were fired for alleged misconduct, your ability to receive benefits depends on whether your employer gave you enough notice that you were doing something wrong.
Before You Get Laid Off
If you know that your job might be in jeopardy, get your ducks in a row. “Two tips that I could give somebody while they’re employed is to do the ID verification and use the time to get all your documents,” said Nicholas Posada, a director of contract reporting at the Fortune Society. He’s coordinated benefits for 15 years for people who have been incarcerated that are reentering the workforce. In order to apply for unemployment benefits, you may need to verify your identity through the ID Me system — a digital “identity wallet” used by both the private and public sector. It requires scanning your driver’s license, Social Security card or birth certificate, and then entering a video chat with a representative so that they can confirm who you are on camera. Other than identifying documents like your Social Security card, you should also make sure that you have your recent tax documents and W2 forms or, if you were paid in cash, some way to track your earnings — a spreadsheet, notebook or copies of the checks.
How to File
You file for unemployment by going to the Department of Labor website or by calling the Telephone Claim Center at 1-888-209-8124. There is currently no in-person option to file for unemployment. If you already have an NY.gov ID login — for example from the DMV, or from the state’s healthcare marketplace — make sure you use the same username and password. And beware of creating a duplicate account, experts say. Once you’re in, you’re going to be asked a series of questions. “You’re going to need the first day you worked, the last day you worked, who laid you off, your title, how you found out,” Posada said. You’re also going to need to know how much you’ve earned in the last 18 months — answer to the best of your ability, and do not guess.
How to Get Your Money
When it comes to actually receiving the benefits, you can get the money transferred in two ways: either through direct deposit, or on a prepaid card like you can get for Social Security. According to Posada, the first option is far superior. “I would urge everyone to do direct deposit,” he said. If something goes wrong with the card, it’s more of a hassle to fix the issue.
How Much Money Can You Claim, and for How Long
You can claim unemployment for up to 26 weeks, or half of a year. The money you receive is based on how much you earned in the past 18 months: your total wages in the quarter where you earned the most money are divided by 26 to come up with your weekly benefit pay. For example, if you were working a minimum wage job, you would be paid around $304 a week. You can see how much you would likely receive using this calculator. The most money you can get from weekly benefits is $504, which using the DOL’s calculation model would be received by anyone who made a salary of around $52,000 and up.
Common Pitfalls in the Claim Process
Once you file and you’re approved, you still have to file a claim every week in order to receive benefits. “A lot of people make the mistake of giving up and not claiming,” said Posada. “If you don’t claim a week, you’re not gonna get paid for that week.” He’s worked with people whose claims were initially denied by their employers, but because they continued to certify weekly during the appeal process, they eventually were repaid for all of the weeks they had claimed.
Requesting an Appeal: 30-Day Clock
Another pitfall that Saylor sees is people missing the window to appeal a decision when their benefits have been denied. “What is extremely important when you’re either denied, or you get an overpayment, or any kind of notice that’s negative, you must request a hearing in 30 days,” she explained. “It’s a pretty strict limit.” If you’re having trouble with your claim and are facing long hold times over the phone, Posada says you can try contacting a local representative to escalate your request.
When in Doubt, File — Just Be Honest
Even if you think you might not be eligible — like if you were fired — try filing for unemployment anyway. “Its worth applying,” said Posada. “The worst they’re gonna do is say no.” Posada stressed that the most important part about the application process is honesty. Don’t exaggerate or guess to answer questions. Take the time to figure out the information you’ll need, like how much you made per quarter or how many hours you worked part-time in the past week.
Be Patient, and How to Get Help
Some parts of the process may take time: you could be on hold on the phone for a long time if you try to recertify, or not receive payments when you thought you would. Posada’s main advice: “Be patient. Government doesn’t do things quickly,” he said. “And try and find help if you’re jammed up.” If you’ve been impacted by the criminal justice system, you can find that help with Posada at The Fortune Society. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of organizations specifically dedicated to helping people with unemployment.
Conclusion
Applying for unemployment benefits in New York City can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it’s an important step to take if you’ve lost your job. By understanding the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the common pitfalls to avoid, you can navigate the system and receive the benefits you need. Remember to be patient, honest, and thorough in your application, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it.
FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for unemployment benefits in New York City?
A: You are eligible if you lost your job through no fault of your own, have worked in New York in the last 18 months, are ready, willing and able to work, and are authorized to work in the U.S.
Q: How do I file for unemployment benefits?
A: You can file online or by calling the Telephone Claim Center at 1-888-209-8124.
Q: How much money can I claim, and for how long?
A: You can claim up to $504 per week for up to 26 weeks.
Q: What if my claim is denied?
A: You can appeal the decision within 30 days.
Q: Where can I get help with my unemployment claim?
A: You can contact the Department of Labor, a local representative, or organizations that help with benefits, such as The Fortune Society.
