the405club asked: Congress recently approved additional weeks that equal a total of 99 weeks "for some people". In the absence of a physical office to go to for info and no answer on the TF# do you know who "some people" are? My claim was approved and benefits began last July. I exhausted the first level in or around mid January and was automatically approved into the next level. The additional 13 weeks.
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The people to whom this statement applies are those who filed their claim before or after a certain date last year. Best to ask a NYS Labor Dept. Representative at your local One Stop Career Center what that date is and where your claim stands in relation to it. 

Because unemployment benefit claims became automated several years ago and labor offices with long lines and live people administering those claims have long closed, Albany wants folks to call the 1-888-209-8124 number. Understandably, this endeavor is frustrating because you cannot always get through by following prompts to a live person. 

Some of the NYS labor reps at the one stops are sympathetic and will answer unemployment questions in person—but you have to know where to find them—and most likely you already do—if you’ve been receiving unemployment benefits for a while. They can be found at the local One Stop Career Centers, which are non profit, taxpayer-funded agencies. 

For your nearest center, go to www.servicelocator.org or try calling and ask for a NYS Department of Labor Rep. That’s the office where NYS Unemployment Claims periodically mandates you to attend job search workshops while receiving unemployment and also where you might find free training under the Workforce Investment Act. Both programs are housed under one roof, hence, the name, “one stop,” and it pays to visit one. You just might find some of the activities and services very helpful at this time in between jobs—and get the answer to your question. If you don’t visit the one stop and decide to call instead, if you are unsuccessful getting through to a labor rep at one, try another. The offices are all over the Metropolitan area and in fact, are nationwide in every state and city. 

Meanwhile, continue claiming each week online or reporting by phone, to continue receiving. Congress may just pass another extension in the future. If you need to re-file and start a new claim while searching for new work, the labor dept. will let you know. They are serving vast numbers of people, so try to be patient. Here’s  wishing you speedy reemployment!

1 year ago  /  0 notes  /  Comments