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I got laid off on 2/24/2009. I've been collecting my $430 a week since then. Needless to say, I cannot afford to stay in NY...my rent alone is $2,200 a month. I a planning on moving back to Tennessee to stay with my parents...will I still be eligible for NY State unemployment?

As someone who had spent over thirty years in public service dealing with the unemployed and underemployed, I find the comments of Glenn offensive.
When it was just, the underclass, people of color, people without education or influence who were unemployed, no one could care less. Now that many of the mighty have fallen, often because of there own greed and hubris, everyone is supposed to be concerned .
Yuppies unemployed, someone do something!!!
Not a snob? Indeed.

I've just received my W-2's for NYS unemployment. We have just passed the 10% unemployment mark. It's very very bad here but NY state unemployment goes much further in Mi. then there. I knew that $400 a week would not sustain me in NYC so I let my lease go, packed up and have hunkered down here. $400 will get you an apartment here (without roaches). I'll be back but it won't be anytime soon.

In addition to seeking information on whether the FHA program would be expanded, how is New York City preparing to handle the hundreds of IT and computer-skills workers that will be laid off?

Screw "Shovel Ready" how about "Mouseclick Ready"

Anyone? DB conversion/teaching positions, outreach programs paid for by the city/federal monies for out of work computer and IT professionals would be a great place to start.

In addition to seeking information on whether the FHA program would be expanded, how is New York City preparing to handle the hundreds of IT and computer-skills workers that will be laid off?

Screw "Shovel Ready" how about "Mouseclick Ready"

Anyone? DB conversion/teaching positions, outreach programs paid for by the city/federal monies for out of work computer and IT professionals would be a great place to start.

On the listener's comment that postmen will never be whistling Schoenberg on their routes... I doubt that people from the Peistocene would have been able to recognize the inherent beauty that most people today can find in much of the music of J.S. Bach. To say that avant classical or jazz is an evolutionary dead end is myopic. While there is always a "most popular" strategy, things evolve only through the trying out of a wide number of strategies to cope with the present moment. I suspect that human expression follows this model. Though abstract forms of art and music are not "the most popular strategy" I believe they are healthy and necessary to our own evolution which equates with survival. Vive la difference!

In reference to the "Onestop" Centers, I have the following to say: The center in Flushing, Queens was NOT HELPFUL, nor was it impressive at all. When I showed up for my assigned appointment, I was disappointed in the level of expertise and professionalism by the employees there. My case manager gave me the impression that I was over-qualified for any positions he had access to. Being a Human Resource and Management professional, I felt over-qualified for their services. Don't get me wrong, I am not a SNOB nor an elitist - quite the opposite! I now teach to ESL students. The Onestop Center may be good for low-level positions, but for professionals, it is basically USELESS! The Commissioner of Labor needs to do some "surprise visits" to her Onestop Centers and see the real world and witness how the services offered to White Color Professionals are insufficient and not geared towards the ever-growing crop of unemployed professionals. And finally, these aptitude tests require a certain level of experience, training and education to administer, to interpret and to offer viable suggestions. I am skeptical that anyone at the Flushing Office is capable of performing such advanced techniques. A news organization needs to do an undercover exposé on the services offered by these Onestop Centers (catchy name, but doesn't deliver). I think the Commissioner would be quite surprised at the findings. I realize the budgets are tight and the salaries for the employees at the Onestop Centers are not the best... I guess you get what you pay for.

Blue sky means possibility to haunt and food gathering, the temperature is pleasant. Bad weather meant fear and illness and cold. Blue sky means lack of all that,

The Dept of State website is very hard to navigate. What is the exact link to the career counseling you discussed on the the Brian Lehrer show, where one can find other industries that their job skills my be valued?
Thank you

start shipping the illegals out this country,that will help.so people like me who are native nyers can come back and work and live in a apt,were the rent is not bumped up because the shortage of housing.

Very difficult to access unemployment benefits if your application is not taken via the web. It took me 2 months to finally speak to a human being. I think the Labor Dept. has to allow some direct client contact to expedite the application process. Also, the One-Stop Centers did not have access to Green Jobs training when I met with my counselor. If that's the wave of the future, why are we not ready to meet it? Good luck to all those who are looking for good work.

Just a note of caution to "highly skilled professionals" like me (I am a lawyer). The career counseling office cannot help you, even though you are required to show up at one of their offices to ensure you get the benefits. It is sort of a hassle and unnecessary, but, on the upside, they are REALLY NICE.

If you collected unemployment this year, will you receive a W2 or tax form?

Thanks!

To the called asking about benefits in Canada: no, I don't think you will get benefits. Technically you are not even supposed to leave the state because you are supposed to be spending your time looking for work in NY.
Do more research, but pretty sure the answer is no.

Commissioner,

Question about out of country.

I am on UI. I need to be out of the country for 2 weeks due to family emergency overseas. Should I stop claiming for those 2 weeks? And restart the claim when I return? Thank you very much.

I was laid off in AUgust and signed up for unemployement benefits. I was diagnosed with cancer in eatly october and had surgery. For weeks I certified (each week) that I was unable to work, but then I got sicker and was in the hospital and unable to certify. How do I get my certifications un-to-dat? And, how do I get disability (social security disability?), as I will continue to be unable to work for some time.

I work in the entertainment industry in New York City. I have an open and active unemployment insurance claim from last Summer.

When I have 1 day of work and claim for that week, as long as I didn't earn more than $405 that week, I'll still get $300 or so for that week. If I work 3 days, and don't earn $405, I'll get $100.

Sorry for those of you who don't earn $405 in 3 days.

I lived on $405 a week for 6 months a couple years ago. In Manhattan. In the East Village. My rent took two and a half weeks of unemployment and it wasn't easy to make the remainder stretch but it was kind of fun! Kind of fun if you're single and 26. Not fun if you have kids or are older than 27 or so...

I am a freelancer and bill my clients through a corporation with only me as shareholder and employee. I applied for Unemployment due to lack of work. I was denied because my looking for work was considered work. Is this ridiculous?

The fellow who asked about working while on unemployment should know that he can work more days than 1 in a week and collect less than his full allotment of unemployment wages for that week.

When part-timers are cut loose, are they entitled?

Does the employer who lets you go pay part of one's benefits?

In regards to the caller who asked about eligibility for benefits if working part-time. The commissioner said one day. According to the info from Dept. of labor packet I received you are eligible for partial benefits if working part-time. 1 day = 3/4 of full rate, 2 days = 1/2 of rate, 3 days = 1/4 of rate, 4 days = no benefits. Is this not accurate?

I don't think you can get a Canadian work visa without a job offer.

laura
just lie to them. they will never know

about the woman who wants to move to canada and keep her unemployment: don't you get it by way of direct deposit? keep your US bank account, and I don't see why you wouldn't be able to keep withdrawing against it from a bank in canada.

What about us independent contractors? I'm a freelance researcher who was recently laid off by my long-term client because of the economy, but I'm not entitled to unemployment benefits. Independent contractors compose 30% of the workforce, can the Labor Department do anything for us?

If you live out of state but worked in New York, do you file for unemployment in NY or your home state (in my case NJ)?

Also, is it true that if I don't claim my full benefit each week, the amount of time I can claim is extended?

I usually claim about half - because I work a little bit.

Unfortunately, working in Canada requires a work visa just like here. That means expense of a lawyer and finding a sponsoring employer.

What about freelancers? I'm a victim of Merrill Lynch's failure and was dismissed in July 2007. As a freelancer, I did not qualify for unemployment. Since then, I have had approximately 16 days of work. Are freelancers included in the unemployment figures? Are there ANY benefits for us?

what about people who were layed off in 2006, collected unemployment at that time, worked part time since then, but now how have nothing. no work or unemployment, or cobra...nothing!
is there assistance available for us? i think there are alot of us around.

The unemployment figures for the financial sector are probably currently lower than the actual figures because many who were laid off at the end of last year have been receiving severance and benefits. This precludes you from applying for unemployment insurance benefits, however you are unemployed. I'd expect unemployment numbers to go up as severance packages end soon for many.

Not true about working one day per week!!!
You can work 3 days as long as you earn under $405. The only thing is that for each day, they take away a quarter of your unemployment

If you're receiving unemployment insurance and decide to move to another state, does the 26 week extension still apply.

How do people who are not layed off but in trouble - ie self employed people whose work has dried up. Get to retrain or get help??

I worked as a permalance architect for 2 years for the same company. i would work for 3-5 weeks at a time then have 3-4 weeks off. The company took taxes out of my checks. I have not had work since August and the company has laid off about 50% of the permanent staff in the last 2 months. can i get unemployment?
there are NO architecture jobs out there now...the industry has been devistated.

I am going to be unemployed starting February 6th,
what is the total amount of benefits a new york state resident is eligible for?

I work for a small investment bank and was told yesterday that the company does not have money to pay be my base salary. However, they are offering me the opportunity to continue working on a contract basis. They will pay me when they receive fees. Am I eligible for unemployment?

My benefits haven't run out, but because I was laid off early last year, my access to benefits has expired because it is one year since I first made a claim. Will this extension affect me?

How is the amount of the benefit computed anyway? Is that enough for NYC?

Anyone who blames the Labor Department for unemployment has to be an idiot!! I'd like to know what reasons they give for blaming the Department.

Brian,

In Sunset Park, I get the sense that getting a job is not always the problem. I think that some, maybe many people have a job or more but just can’t make ends meet. I mentioned yesterday on these boards that some families are moving back to Mexico so they can live better. In fact, one family is in a situation where the father is going to stay in the US and work and send his family back home to live. So, the jobs/pay may be better here but the cost of living (child care, rent, etc.) is cheaper in Mexico, or at least, in this case.

Maybe your guest can talk a bit about this situation – when folks have jobs but can’t afford to live.