Q: What is the Self Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)?

A: State and Federal legislation has established the Self Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) which provides certain eligible individuals the opportunity to start their own businesses while collecting unemployment insurance benefits. In order to be considered eligible for this program, you must first be identified by the State's profiling system as likely to exhaust benefits.

If you are interested in participating in this program or wish to obtain additional information, contact your local Division of Employment Services office nearest you. Click here for the office locations.

You must comply with program requirements and receive written acceptance into the SEAP program before you can start or operate your own business while collecting benefits.

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Q: What is Trade Adjustment Assistance?

A: The Trade Act Programs, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Alternative Trade Adjustement Assistance (ATAA), assist individuals who have become unemployed as a result of increased imports or shifts in production out of the United States. The goal of the Trade Act programs is to help trade-affected workers return to suitable employment as quickly as possible.

Click here for more information on TAA.

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Q: Can I go to school or take a training course while receiving benefits?

A: Section 599 of the Unemployment Insurance Law makes it possible for you to receive benefits while attending a training course or program that the Department of Labor has APPROVED. Approval is based on the type of training, its duration, your need for training and other factors.

If you are approved for this program, you are not required to be available for work or look for work.

When funding is available, a person in an approved training course may be eligible for additional benefits if their regular benefits expire while still in training.

If you are currently in training or if you are interested in training, you must advise the Telephone Claim Center as soon as possible at 1-888-209-8124 for New York State residents (1-877-358-5306 for out of state residents) between 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. A delay on your part may result in a reduction of any additional benefits that may be available to you under the law.

For more information on the 599 Program, click here.

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Q: Who is a dislocated worker?

A: To qualify as a dislocated worker, you must meet one of the following conditions.

• You were terminated or laid off from your job, are eligible for Unemployment Insurance, and are identified as unlikely to return to your previous industry or occupation.
• You were terminated as a result of a plant closing or substantial layoff.
• You are long-term unemployed and have limited opportunities for reemployment in the same or similar occupation.
• You were self-employed and are unemployed due to general economic conditions or a natural disaster.

You may also qualify if you have been away from the labor force for a substantial number of years because of full time duties as a homemaker, but you must return to the labor force because you have lost your source of income.

As a dislocated worker, you may be eligible for retraining and other services. If you have any further, questions contact your Division of Employment Services office. Click here for the office locations.

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