“Your Guide to Jobless Benefits”

The NY Daily News speaks to Nicole Salk, Senior Staff Attorney at Legal Services NYC, for their August 3rd piece on how to access Unemployment Insurance benefits.

Q: What are some common mistakes?
A: Providing incorrect info.
“Be scrupulously honest. If you give the wrong answer, it could be seen
as a misrepresentation,” said Nicole Salk, senior staff attorney of
Legal Services NYC. “You could lose benefits.”

Q: What should I do if I was paid in cash?
A: Make sure you have proof of your employment. “Keep records of your hours and how much you are paid,” Salk said.

Q: What if my employer classifies me as an independent contractor when I really was an employee?
A: “If that happens to you and you are denied unemployment benefits, you can appeal,” Salk said.

Read the full article on the Daily News website. 

Legal Services NYC advocates provide legal advice and representation at
hearings and in unemployment insurance appeals. The Unemployment
Insurance Advocacy Project also engages in legal advocacy to address
the larger systemic barriers that prevent workers from accessing
benefits.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a critical source of income support
for unemployed workers, providing eligible workers with up to $405 a
week in benefits for up to 26 weeks. Workers who have lost their job
due to no fault of their own, or have quit their job as a result of
domestic violence, a health condition or some other good cause, may be
eligible for UI.

For assistance with an unemployment insurance question or denial, call the helpline at 646-442-3332 to speak to an attorney in your neighborhood.