DaJobSucks

Applying for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in New York

Written by HmD on 11/24/2008 10:43:00 AM

In our continued effort to make the unemployed aware of their options during this recession, we have decided to summarize the steps needed to claim for unemployment benefits in their home states. The steps have outlined below are for New York State, please get greater details by contacting the the State Unemployment Insurance Agency at 1-888-209-8124.

How to apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefit/ File a Claim in New York

• Claims can be made by accessing the Benefits Online Page.
  
• The Benefits Online Page can be accessed from Monday to Thursday between 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday between 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 24 hours on Saturday up to 5:00 p.m on Sunday.
• Claims can also be made over the telephone by calling 1-888-209-8124 for New York State residents (or 1-877-358-5306 for out of state residents).
  
• For speedy processing of a claim, the claimant should ensure that they apply for Unemployment Insurance in the first week of unemployment.
• The following information is necessary for filing a claim:
  

Identification:

• Social Security number
• New York State driver's license

Personal Info:

• Mailing address
• Telephone number

Work Information:

• The names and addresses of all the claimants employers within the last 18 months, including those employers in another state
• Employer Registration number

There are also other information that may be necessary depending on whether you are a public worker. You can check the claimant handbook by using the following link, "Unemployment Insurance Information for Claimants". The handbook also explains key terms like "base year" so that you can understand the benefits system better.

The requirements for eligibility in each State;

• Employment in at least two calendar quarters in your base period.
• Payment of a wage of at least $1,600 in one of the calendar quarters in your base year,
• Your total pay during the last 12 months of work most be 1 1/2 times greater than the highest pay your have received in your highest paid quarter in the last 12 months of employment.
  
• The amount of high quarter earnings used to determine if you meet this requirement will not be greater than $8910.

How to maintain eligibility;

• You must display that you are looking for employment. To do so you most keep records on your job hunt in a form that will be provided to you.
• Please see the Unemployment Insurance Information for Claimants by the New York State Department of Labor for more information.

Benefits you may receive

• You receive 1/26th of your highest quarter wages in your base year.
  
• High quarter wages of $3,575 or less will bring a weekly benefit of 1/25th of your highest quarter wages in your base year,
• The maximum benefit rate is $405 regardless of weekly pay.

Again, this has just been a summary, as there is a tonne load of stuff you need to know, so contact the New York State Unemployment Insurance agency at 1-888-209-8124.