If You Earn Money While Collecting Unemployment Benefits
Once you get a new job that pays more than you are receiving in unemployment, you will no longer be eligible to receive benefits. But what if you are only able to pick up odd jobs and small amounts of work here and there? As long as you dont earn too much from occasional work, you will still be eligible for unemployment benefits.
In most states, as long as you earn less than your weekly benefit amount , you can still collect unemployment benefits. However, your benefits will be reduced by what you earn. A certain amount of what you earn will be disregarded: You will be able to keep it, and it wont be subtracted from your benefit amount. Although this amount is generally small, this set-aside is intended to create an incentive for people to work, rather than just collecting unemployment benefits.
The amount that is disregarded when calculating your partial unemployment benefit is either a set dollar amount or a percentage of your usual weekly benefit. Contact the New York Department of Labor: Unemployment Division to find out how much you can earn without jeopardizing your benefits.
How Do I File For Unemployment In Ny
In the state of New York, you can file for unemployment benefits online at https://unemployment.labor.ny.gov/login. Youâll begin the process of filing by creating a PIN . The PIN will be used to access your account as needed while you are out-of-work and looking for new employment.
To file for unemployment, you will simply follow the instructions on the website, but first, be sure to have the proper documents and information in hand so you can complete the application in full. Below is a list of items youâll need to file for unemployment in NY:
â Motor Vehicle ID card number OR Driverâs license
â Alien Registration card number
â Complete mailing address including the zip code
â Social Security number
â A daytime phone number where you can be reached between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
â List of employers that youâve had for the preceding 18 months, including employers in other states. Have the full names and addresses of these employers ready for the application.
â Federal Employer Identification Number OR Employer Registration number of your most recent employer.
â If you were a federal employee: copies of form SF8 and form SF50.
â If you were in the military: your most recent separation form
â If you wish to do direct deposit of your benefits each week, have your bank routing number and checking account number available.
Amount And Duration Of Nys Unemployment Benefits
The New York State Department of Labor determines your weekly unemployment benefit amount by dividing your earnings for the highest paid quarter of the base period by 26, up to a maximum of $504 per week.
Benefits are available for up to 26 weeks. If you are still unemployed when your regular state benefits run out, you may be eligible for Emergency Unemployment Compensation and/or state extended benefits during periods of economic recession or high unemployment. Contact NYSDOL to find out which programs are in place when you apply for benefits.
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Important Unemployment Terms To Know
When getting ready to file for unemployment in NY with a local office like the Syracuse unemployment office, there are some terms that you should be aware of. Not all of these terms will show up on the application, but knowing them all will help with understanding the system of unemployment insurance in NY today.
- The Base Period The first four full fiscal quarters out of the last five before filing for NYS UI. Most eligibility requirements for unemployment in New York are met in the base period.
- Alternate Base Period The four financial quarters directly before you submit forms to apply for unemployment in NY.
- Extended Base Period A longer timeframe for considering income for unemployment. This is only available to applicants that receive workers compensation and dont have the income to qualify for unemployment in the Base Period.
- New York State Employment Benefits Rate The amount paid out each week for unemployment benefits once youre approved.
- Benefit Year The one year period that begins the day youre approved to receive unemployment. Up to 26 weeks of benefits are allowed during this period under the program guidelines.
- Certifying Benefits The verification process you must go through each week to receive New York State employment benefits from the government.
- UI Unemployment insurance A special insurance program every employee is entered into when starting work at a big company. This insurance protects you if you lose your job.
Estimate Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits
You can use this tool to estimate a weekly Unemployment Insurance benefit amount.
NOTE: This tool gives an estimate only. It does not guarantee that you will be eligible for benefits or a specific amount of benefits. You must file an Unemployment Insuranceclaim to find out if you are eligible and learn your actual benefit amount.
Enter your gross earnings for each of the calendar quarters.Gross earnings are your wages before taxes and other deductions.
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What Is Monetary Determination
The first determination you receive after you apply is called a Monetary Determination. It is the Department of Labors determination of whether you earned enough money to qualify for unemployment insurance. If you are found eligible, the Monetary Determination tells you how much your benefits will be. The calculation is based on how much income the Department of Labor believes you had in the last four quarters before the most recently concluded quarter.
If you think the Department of Labor is wrong about your income, you can request reconsideration of the monetary determination. You have 30 days to do this. You should submit a Request for Reconsideration form from the New York State Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15130, Albany, NY 12212. This form is provided in the Unemployment Insurance Claimant Handbook you receive when you apply for benefits or can be downloaded from the Departments website.
How The Unemployment System Works In New York
The New York State unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national average, which means its important for NY citizens to understand how to use NY unemployment insurance that their employers are paying toward every single month.
Each full-time employee in the state is entitled to unemployment benefits in NY. These benefits give the employees access to paid benefits every week for around up to 6 months after losing their job.
New applicants working with the Department of Labor in Brooklyn NY or other areas of the state have questions like How long does it take for unemployment to kick in? and How do I know if my unemployment claim was approved? These questions are simple to answer and most applicants will hear back from their local office quickly after applying.
The first step to claiming unemployment benefits is learning how to apply for unemployment in NY. Its simple and fast for anyone with a phone or internet access. Simply dial the NYS unemployment phone number to talk to a person and submit an application that way. Applicants can also visit Labor.ny.gov and fill out an online application to apply that way.
Applying for unemployment takes an hour or less for most people and is a quick and easy process that can bring benefits and state help rapidly. Down below we look more closely at the requirements of the system and the application process itself.
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How Much Will I Receive
- Your base weekly benefit amount is calculated by dividing the wages in the highest quarter of your base period by 21, up to a maximum of $648 per week.
- If you are partially unemployed, your weekly benefit amount is calculated the same as the above by using the amount of reduced income you are currently receiving.
- In addition to this base amount, the American Rescue Plan provides an additional $300 per week for beneficiaries through September 6, 2021.
- This amount may come together with your UI benefits, or as a separate payment.
- Please ask the New York Department of Labor if you have questions regarding your weekly benefit amount.
Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount
The amount you are eligible to receive per week on unemployment is your weekly benefit amount . Although the WBA is determined by your previously earned wages, New York state law limits the amount you can collect per week to prevent you from receiving exorbitant compensation amounts. The maximum laws are based on the average unemployment insurance covered employees weekly wage, which may change each year. As of April 2011, New York states maximum weekly benefit amount is $405.
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Can I Work Part Time And Collect Unemployment Ny
Partial benefits are available to individuals who work fewer than 4 days per week and earn less than $504 during that week. Each day or partial day that you work causes your unemployment benefits rate to drop by 25%. For example, if you work three days of the week and earn $400, your benefit rate will drop to $100. If you work only two days of the week, your benefits will drop to $200. If you work one day of the week, your benefits will be only $300.
Receiving partial benefits extends the amount of time that you can collect unemployment. However, if you receive more than $504 per week , you canât receive unemployment benefits for that week.
When you file your unemployment claim, youâll be asked to enter the date of the last day that you worked. This should be the last day that you were physically present at your job, whether it was full-time or part-time work. If your more recent employer employed you for only part-time work, enter this employerâs information as the âlastâ or âmost recent employerâ when you fill out your claim. If you plan to continue working part-time for this employer, you will enter âlack of workâ as the reason why you wish to collect unemployment.
How Long Can You Stay On Unemployment Benefits
In the state of New York, unemployment benefits are available for up to 26 weeks. However, if you´re still unemployed at the end of this time period, you may be able to apply for Emergency Unemployment Compensation . During periods of economic recession or high unemployment, additional assistance through EUC or state extended benefits may be available.
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Estimated Weekly Benefit Rate
The calculator returns your estimated weekly benefit rate based on your highest quarterly earnings during the base period.
The maximum weekly benefit rate is $504 for highest quarterly earnings of $13,104+. The minimum weekly benefit rate is $100 , provided you meet eligibility requirements.
You must have at least two calendar quarters with earnings within four consecutive calendar quarters in order to be eligible for a weekly benefit rate.
In addition, you must also have been paid at least $2,400 for at least one calendar quarter .
Your total wages over the base period must be at least 1.5x your highest quarterly earnings, unless your highest quarterly earnings were at least $11,088. If your highest quarterly earnings were at least $11,088, you must have earned at least $5,544 during the other three quarters of your base period .
The calculator will return an estimated weekly benefit rate of $0, if it appears you do not meet the eligibility requirements described above.
Your weekly benefit rate may be reduced by other compensation that you receive and certain mandated payments such as delinquent child support payments.
Handling Unemployment Claim Rejections
There are generally two reasons that a claim for unemployment insurance will be rejected. First, a claim for unemployment compensation will be denied if the claimant has not met the work and earnings requirements.
If you have been rejected for this reason, you may file a Request for Reconsideration if you believe that the agency has either wrongfully calculated your earnings or omitted relevant work history. Work with the agency to review your request and provide them with any information they may need to help resolve the problem.
Second, you may be denied for some other reasons such as your employer contesting your claim for benefits, you voluntarily quit your job, or you failed to search for employment during the unemployment benefits period. If you have been denied for any of these other reasons, you will receive a separate Notice of Determination.
You may appeal a denial of benefits by requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge, in writing, within 30 days after the date on the notice. After receiving your appeal request, a hearing will be scheduled.
MAKE SURE TO ATTEND THE HEARING!!! If you do not attend, you may lose your ability to collect unemployment benefits. The administrative law judge will decide on your claim and issue a written decision.
If you disagree with the decision after the hearing, you may appeal to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Appeal Board will review the evidence and issue a written decision.
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Base Period Earnings Requirements
To receive that $405 per week, you must have $10,530 in covered wages during your base period high quarter. Covered wages are earned while working employment covered by New York state unemployment compensation laws, which includes most work. Notable exceptions include self-employed work, independent contract work or work paid only on a commission basis. Your base year is the first four of the last five full calendar quarters before you filed for unemployment. Your high quarter in your base period is when you earned the most covered wages.
How To Apply For Unemployment In New York State
Persons seeking unemployment insurance benefits may file a claim online or by phone any time on Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., anytime on Saturday, or on Sunday until 7:00 p.m. You should file your claim within one week of losing your job to receive the maximum amount of benefits. Prior to receiving benefits, you will need to serve an unpaid waiting period equal to a full week of benefits.
To apply for unemployment insurance, you will need the following information:
- Social Security Number
- Drivers license or motor vehicle ID card number
- Complete mailing address, including zip code
- Telephone number where you can be reached during weekday business hours
- Alien registration card number
- Names and addresses for all employers for the past 18 months
- Employer registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number of your latest employer
- Copies of forms SF8 and SF50, if you were a federal employee in your last job
- Form DD14, for separation from military service, if applicable
- A check from your bank with the routing and account numbers, if you wish to register for direct deposit.
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How Do I Apply For New York Unemployment Benefits
You can file your first claim for New York unemployment benefits on the New York Department of Labor website. You’ll need to make an NY.gov ID if you don’t already have one and create a PIN. You can use your ID and PIN to sign in securely and complete your application. Alternatively, you can file over the phone by calling 1-888-209-8124 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
You’ll need to supply the following information to allow the Department of Labor to verify your eligibility:
- Social Security or Alien Registration number
- Employer registration or federal employer identification number for your last employer
- Driver’s license number
- The employer names, addresses and start and end dates for every job you’ve had in the last 18 months
- SF8 and SF50 forms
- DD 214 form
Failure to provide any necessary information could delay your first payment, and you may be asked for additional information to process your claim. It’s important to keep a lookout for correspondence and respond to any requests as quickly as possible.
Successful claimants will receive a monetary determination letter explaining the payment schedule and amount and how it was reached. You should review the information carefully and complete a request for reconsideration form if you notice any incorrect details.
What Happens At A Hearing
At the hearing, a hearing judge called an Administrative Law Judge or ALJ will preside over your case. The ALJ will ask questions of both you and your employer under oath. You can present documents or other written evidence. Each side will have a chance to ask each other questions and give the judge a final spoken summary of their case . If you or one of your witnesses needs a translator, one must be provided.
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How To Apply For Unemployment In New York
To apply for benefits, you must log in to the New York Department of Labor website.
You can also apply by calling the Telephone Claims Center at 209-8124. New York is currently offering extended telephone filing hours:
- MondayThursday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m
- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m..
When you file a claim, you will be prompted to set up a Personal Identification Number or PIN. You will use this pin when you call the New York unemployment number to claim your weekly benefits or to certify your benefits.
The Telephone Claims Center can be reached at 209-8124. TTY/TDD users should call 662-1220.
To file a New York unemployment claim, you will need:
- your last employers contact information
- the last day you worked for them
- the reason you are no longer working for them
- if you are receiving a pension or other income
- if you are able and available to accept full-time work
- designation that you have the legal right to work in the United States
As part of your registration process, you may also want to explore registration for job search assistance services through the states One-Stop Career Centers and JobZone.
After you apply, you will receive a Monetary Determination Notice that will advise you whether or not you have met the New York unemployment qualifications for benefits.
If your claim is approved, instructions will be provided as to how you can claim your benefits each week, including documenting your job search activities.
