Unemployment benefits is income that is temporary for eligible workers who are unemployed because of no fault of their own and who are available and ready to work. The one who is filing must have enough work and wages in employment to be eligible.

In New York, the money provided for unemployment benefits comes from taxes that have been paid by employers. Deductions are not made from any worker’s pay for unemployment insurance. It is the responsibility of the Department of Labor to decide whether or not an unemployed worker is eligible for unemployment.

Unemployment benefits are determined on the individual’s earnings in a base period. As of December 2008, the benefits provided in New York ranged between $40 and $405. The benefits are taxed with Federal income and one many choose to have taxes taken out of the benefits check.

Throughout the United States, it usually takes two or three weeks for the one filing to receive his check after filing a claim. The duration of unemployment benefits in New York is 26 weeks, but this time period can be extended during times of special circumstance or high employment.

An additional $25 payment each week is being given to recipients of unemployment, known as FAC (Federal Additional Compensation). This payment is given at the same time as regular payments of unemployment. Those who have chosen to have Federal tax taken out of their checks will be receiving $22.50 each week. No additional action needs to b taken by the one filing to receive these extra FAC payments. July 4, 2010 will be the last week that FAC payments will be made.

Because the average rate of unemployment in New York is now more than 8%, seven weeks of Extended Benefits have been added; coming to a total of 20 weeks. This is added to the regular benefits of 26 weeks and the Emergency Benefits of 33 weeks.

Unemployment benefits claims need to be filed the very first week that one has become either partially or totally unemployed. It is vital to file quickly because the first week is a waiting week that is unpaid, usually called the ‘waiting period’. A delay in the filing may cost some benefits. It is also very important to make sure before filing, that all information needed that will be needed.

Unemployment occurs with an individual that either loses his or her job during regular employment or if a person cannot find a job. If an individual loses his or her job, they have the option of registering with unemployment in the hopes to earn money while looking for work.

Unemployment is debilitating for many people so the government establishes a set of benefits that are awarded to these individuals that are not currently working. During this time, the unemployed individuals are allowed to file for these benefits and received them for a limited time while they are either looking for work, or getting ready to start work.

In New York, these benefits are different from other areas because the population of New York is higher, thus the unemployment rate is naturally higher than many other areas. Because of this, unemployment benefits are much different than what they would be in a less populated state or area.
In New York, unemployed individuals that are searching for work received a $25-30 weekly allowance of unemployment cash to be spent on anything they need. However, this can only occur if the individual has been known to pay their income taxes on time and without exception.

In New York State, the total amount of time that a person can receive unemployment checks is 20 weeks. Anything past this must be taken up with the welfare department, as unemployment benefits are only to be received short term for a small flow of cash. The weekly allowance is also accompanied by several other injected funds to help individuals and families survive.

Some limited forms of federal insurance may also be claimed by individuals that want to claim unemployment. This can cover various medical expenses but seldom covers the costs of insurance for auto vehicles or home owners.

Unemployed individuals or families may also receive food stamps for a total amount covering the needed food for that family. These stamps arrive with unemployment allowance and other payments weekly. Once the 20 week period is passed for unemployment benefits, those still claiming unemployment will be cut off unless they have proved to have work on the verge of being attained, allowing them to negotiate additional funding for a prearranged period of time. However, this only occurs in the rarest of occasions.

Overall, New York unemployment benefits are not much different from any others except for the higher payment volume.

New York like all states has unemployment insurance that is 26 week in duration. On account of President Obama’s stimulus plans an extra $25 dollars was added to all unemployment benefits until July of 2010. It is called (FAC) Federal Additional Compensation. Whatever the amount you receive will be supplemented at the same time by $25. Like everything else New York Unemployment Insurance is taken care of by you registering online.

After the 26 weeks have expired, New York provides additional unemployment since the rate of unemployment has now exceeded 8%. Therefore, we have 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. After this there are extended benefits totaling 33 weeks. Recently, New York has initiated 7 additional weeks of emergency unemployment because of the aforementioned 8% unemployment.

In order to receive unemployment benefits you would have to be fired or let go through no fault of your own. You cannot curse or hit the boss and expect unemployment. In addition you cannot collect during times that you ordinarily get paid, but do not work, like summertime for public school teachers. During the time of extended and emergency benefits you must keep a record of where you sought employment and mail it to Albany at the end of each month. Each week you are supposed to contact at least two potential employers. Every week online you must answer questions as to whether you are working or have been seeking work.

Unemployment is sometimes denied unjustly and there is an appeal process. If you are honest and the employer just does not want to pay, the administrative judge will see this and grant you the unemployment you deserve. It is not a substitute for your salary for it is much less and $400 plus the (FAC) is the most you can receive.

It is your option as to whether you want 10% withholding tax taken out of your unemployment benefits. You can pay now or pay later, but unemployment is taxable income.

New York like many other states has to borrow from the Federal government since it is running out of unemployment funds. In the future the fees will have to be raised on employers. This is because it looks like chronic unemployment will be here to stay for the foreseeable future.

You lost your job and you are devastated. You will feel certain you will be able to collect unemployment benefits, but when you file you claim with the State of New York, you are denied. You need that money to support your family. What can you do?

You can file with New York’s Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The six-member Board determines initials claims but also has a second function. The Board considers appeals from people who feel like they have been unjustly denied unemployment benefits. Employers can also file claims if they feel that a former employee should not collect unemployment benefits.

New York law states that an employee can only be denied benefits for certain reasons, including, but not limited to:
1. Criminal misconduct.
2. Misconduct on the job.
3. If you left your job voluntarily.

If you want a hearing, you must file within 30 days of receiving a notice of determination in the mail. Once a claim is filed, the Board will set a hearing date that will be held at the unemployment office nearest to the employer and the employee. Basically, the hearing is an informal trial. At the hearing, the judge will hear from both sides. Attorneys may be present for either side. In some cases, each side may present witnesses to bolster their case.

After the hearing, the judge will consider the evidence. According to the Board’s website, (http://www.labor.state.ny.us/uiappeal/indextest.asp), the decision could be made in a few days, but the average is about three weeks. Employees that were receiving unemployment benefits whose claim is denied may have to repay those benefits. Employees that had previously been denied benefits but were awarded them in the appeal may be able to collect what they were owed, but initially denied.

If the judge rules against you, you can appeal. You must file the appeal with the board within 20 days of the date stamped on the decision that was mailed to you. In most cases, no other hearings will be held. The decision will be made based on the transcript and will be mailed to you in two to three months. If you still disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court.

Not everyone is eligible for unemployment in New York, but under certain circumstances and with the right requirements, unemployment can be paid. For example, if your job was a temporary or seasonal position in which your services are no longer needed, your chances for receiving unemployment increase. Your chances are also raised if your company was downsized or shutdown, or other situations that are beyond your personal control.

However, there are also restrictions that bar people from receiving unemployment. If you were fired for directly violating a company policy or procedure, such as absenteeism or insubordination, you will not qualify. Also, if you freely quit your job for personal reasons, you will not receive unemployment. Retirees who are unemployed and not seeking work will not qualify. Retirees who do actively seek employment can receive benefits without respect to Social Security.

Working part-time may also qualify you for unemployment in New York. Those who work less than four days a week and earn less than $405 a week may also be eligible. However, there is a maximum amount that can be received and if you ever make more than $405 in a single week, no unemployment will be paid for that week.

Those in the military service also are eligible for unemployment. The serviceman must have been in active duty for a minimum of 90 days. In addition, if his or her discharge was due to a personality disorder, medical situation such as pregnancy or injury, or government convenience, eligibility for unemployment is forfeited.

Pregnancy does not affect the eligibility for unemployment in New York. The only instances in which pregnancy does have an impact is if the woman is on company granted leave, took a personal leave of absence, or quit voluntarily. A pregnant woman may not be eligible if she is physically capable of obtaining work.

Illegal aliens are under no circumstances eligible for unemployment benefits. Those who are not citizens but are legally allowed to work in the United States follow a different set of restrictions. If they were legally working at their previous job and can legally continue working in the United States, they may receive unemployment benefits.

All claims for unemployment must be filed within New York. Those who live outside the state but have worked for a continuous 18 months in New York must also file within the state.

Applying for New York Unemployment is simple and easy. There are two ways to file, either by phone or online so it takes hardly any time at all. Just answer a few questions and enter your information and your done. After a short review period, you will be notified if you have been approved to receive benefits.

Eligibility requirements for New York Unemployment:

You may be eligible for benefits if:
You must have worked and been paid for at least two calendar quarters,and earned at least $1600.
Have lost employment through no fault of their own. Meaning that you did nothing to cause the loss of your job or income; temporary or seasonal work ended, downsized, laid off or terminated without notice.

When should you file a claim?

You should file your claim the same week you become unemployed. It is done by weeks and the week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. The first week is unpaid as it is considered a waiting period. Submit your claim as soon as possible for the quickest results.

Information you will need to have when filing:

* Your mailing address and zip code
* Name, address, zip code and phone number of your most recent employer
* Your Social Security number
* Valid New York State driver’s license or Photo Identification Card number
*
* Telephone number where you can be reached between 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday
* Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of your most recent employer located on your W-2

* Alien Registration card number ( if not a U.S. Citizen)
* Copies of Forms SF 8 and SF 50 if you were a Federal employee in the last 18 months
* Web applicants , if you are choosing to have direct deposit of your benefits, you must have a blank check with your bank routing and checking account numbers.

If you are approved and begin to receive benefits you will need to call in each week on Sunday to claim benefits for the previous week.

Basically speaking, unemployment occurs when a person that is able to work is attempting to find work but is currently without a job. Unemployment rates are what calculate the amount of people in an area that are considered unemployed as well as the amount of money that is federally governed to them to support them as they continue to search for work.

Unemployment is a large part of many economic crises that occur in the country, as some people siphon money from the federal government in the hopes to make a living not having to work. Though this has become heavily policed and prosecuted against in the past.

The qualified definition of unemployment rate is the percentage of the work force that is technically unemployed at any given time. This rate applies most regularly to individual states, though there is also a federal unemployment rate. The unemployment rates of an area are highly dependent on the population of that area.

For instance, the unemployment rate of a state like New York would be different from an unemployment rate of Nebraska.

The unemployment rate of New York is, as of June of 2009, 8.7% of the entire population. This simply means that out of all of the people in the New York state, only 8.7% of them are technically without jobs and are currently looking for jobs to make them revenue. During this time which they are without work, they are being funded by the government by welfare checks, revenue checks, food stamps, as well as some other federal vouchers and payments.

These payments are made monthly; however, for those on the unemployment payroll, they must prove every three months that work is continuing to be sought out. The unemployed must give the names of a certain number of companies that are being applied for. The government then goes about finding out why the person is not getting any of this work. If at any point the person is found to be giving fraudulent information, the unemployment benefits are revoked and the unemployed individual stops getting paid.

In New York, because of the high rate of unemployment, a fair amount of revenue gathered by the state government goes to funding these individuals as they search for work. This is part of the reason that economic strife occurs, because financial stimulation is being given to unemployed individuals in New York on a regular basis.