New York Unemployment Insurance

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.