Things You Need to Know when Applying for Unemployment Benefits in New York

Unemployment is being felt by all types of workers not just the blue and white collar but also Managers, CEOs and Presidents of Corporations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in March, the number of unemployed persons increased by 694,000 to 13.2 million, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.5 percent.

If you are unemployed and you need to file a claim in the State of New York, the first thing you need to do is see if you qualify for benefits. To qualify for benefits, you must have worked and been paid for at least two calendar quarters in your base period. Calendar quarters are the 3 month periods starting January 1 to March 31, April 1 to June 30, July 1 to September 30 and October 1 to December 31. Your base period will be is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters, before your claim begins.

After you find out that you are qualified to receive benefits then you need to create a list of things you need to file and put them in a folder. When you apply you will need your Social Security Number, a Driver's License or State issued Identification Card, the name, address and Federal Employer Identification Number for your last employer, you will also need your bank routing and account number if you plan to have your benefits direct deposited. The fastest way to apply is online, between the hours of 7:30am to 7:30pm Monday through Thursday (Eastern Time), Friday, 7:30am to 5:00pm, all day Saturday, and Sunday until 7:00pm, if you do not have internet service you can use the New York Public Library Computers free of charge. You may also apply in person, to find a location near you please visit the website.

After you have officially filed for unemployment benefits you must be available for work and prove that you are actively looking for employment. You will be required to keep a written record of your job search. You will be provided with forms to record your job search in the Unemployment Insurance Information for Claimants handbook that will be sent to you via postal mail once your claim is acknowledged. If you did not receive the handbook or do not wish to wait, you may download it here.

Here is a list of other things you need to know about Unemployment Benefits; Unemployment benefits are taxable so you must file any benefits you receive with your Income Tax and you will receive a 1099 form with total benefits received. Child Support may also be withheld from your benefits. If you work part-time working less than four days and earn $405.00 or less in a week you may qualify for partial benefits. The Federal Additional Compensation of $25.00 is being made to unemployment recipients with their regular benefits.

You can even apply if you were in the military but you must meet these special requirements; you completed the first full term of enlistment other than being discharge or early release for government early release program, medical disqualification like pregnancy or service related injury or personality disorder. For a complete list of military qualifications please visit the website.

Due to the high increase in unemployment lots of unemployment claim scams are on the rise. According to New York State Department of Labor at website, "New York State Department of Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith today announced that the Labor Department has been made aware of an ongoing scam targeting the unemployed at a time when they can least afford it. These unscrupulous scammers have been charging victims, including many in New York City's Polish community, fees to file claims to collect Unemployment Insurance benefits."