Question about state and federal unemployment benefits

April 8, 2020 9:39 AM

I started working in January as a substitute teacher in NYC, through a temp agency. After ~2 months of work, the schools closed. Are there any state or federal unemployment or other benefits that I can apply for?

The state unemployment website says "You must have worked and been paid wages for work in at least two calendar quarters in your base period", which doesn't apply to me.

I don't have any source of income, and I don't have any savings. Is there any kind of assistance available for someone in my situation?

posted by davidstandaford to Work & Money (6 answers total)

Were you employed prior to subbing, at any time last year? If not, you won't qualify for regular state unemployment but you may qualify for unemployment under the stimulus plan. You should apply anyway and see if you are denied. You should qualify for food stamps.

What state are you in? Some states provide general assistance.
posted by shoesietart at 9:47 AM on April 8, 2020

Cuomo just announced extended unemployment benefits and that NYS would pay the additional $600 now rather than wait to be paid by the federales.
posted by AugustWest at 9:52 AM on April 8, 2020

Probably ought to apply ASAP. There may be provisions in the new stimulus that'll fit your situation. Either you'll qualify or you won't, but qualifying is impossible if you don't, and if you wait for an answer, you're potentially missing weeks of income.

If you have zero income, you may also qualify for food stamps and medical.
posted by stormyteal at 10:01 AM on April 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'm in New York State. I did not work in 2019.
posted by davidstandaford at 10:02 AM on April 8, 2020

In a similar situation as you and I qualified. Moved to another state in January and started working then. I believe the stimulus plan is the reason I got approved, as it qualifies those who normally didn't earn enough income.
posted by signondiego at 10:26 AM on April 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

Apply anyway - you may be eligible under the stimulus package. Worst that can happen is you get turned down.
posted by augustimagination at 6:26 PM on April 8, 2020