Attachment A

Do I have to look for work?

To be eligible for benefits you must be available for work and demonstrate that availability by actively seeking employment while you are claiming benefits. You must keep a written record of all your efforts to find employment. Looking for self-employment only does not satisfy the search for work requirement. You may be denied benefits if you fail to look for suitable work.

What kind of work do I have to look for?

Suitable work is work for which you are reasonably fitted by training and/or experience. This means that you have to look for work in all your recent occupations, especially if the prospect of obtaining work in your primary skill area is not good. After 13 full weeks of benefits are claimed, suitable work will also include any work that you are capable of performing whether or not you have any experience or training in such work, unless you obtain employment through a union hiring hall or have a definite date to return to work. Such work must pay the prevailing wage for similar work in the locality and pay you at least 80% of your high quarter wages. You must also be willing to travel a reasonable distance to obtain employment. As a general rule, travel of one hour by private transportation or one and one half hours by public transportation is considered reasonable.

What if I refuse a job because of wages?

You are required to look for and be prepared to accept employment that pays the prevailing wage for similar work even if this is less than you earned on your last job or less than the salary you would like to receive. After you claim 13 full weeks of benefits, you may be referred to and are required to accept employment you are capable of performing as long as it pays the prevailing wage and pays at least 80% of your base period high quarter wages.

For example, if you worked as an administrative assistant for a yearly salary of $18,000 with a high quarter wage of $4500 ($346/week), after 13 full weeks of benefits you could be referred to a bank teller position that pays $14,400 per year or a high quarter wage of $3,600 ($277/week). This is within the prevailing wage range for a teller position and pays 80% of your base period high quarter wages. If you are capable of performing such work but refused it, you could lose your eligibility for benefits.

You can find prevailing wage information on the Internet at: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/stats/uiwages.shtm

How do I look for work?

How you look for work will depend on the type of work you are seeking. You should use reasonable methods of identifying job openings. It is important that you make in-person contacts with employers whenever possible. Some examples of work search methods are:

1. Use the job search assistance services available free-of-charge through your local One-Stop Career Center. One-Stop Career Centers are staffed with Veteran representatives, career advisors, and counselors to assist you in finding a job and planning a career. You may also use center facilities and computers to seek work and contact employers directly. Up-to-date job listings and Civil Service announcements are available and there are workshops that you can sign up for to brush up your résumé or interviewing skills.

2. Responding to newspaper want ads.

3. Making personal contacts with employers and filing applications when appropriate.

4. Checking trade publications.

5. Sending résumés.

6. If you are a union member, registering at the hiring hall, or if your union doesn’t have a hiring hall, asking a union official for help in obtaining work.

7. Checking the yellow pages of your telephone book to identify employers you may want to contact.

What if I work part-time?

If you work less than four days in a week and earn $405 or less, you may receive partial benefits. Each day or part of a day of work will result in a payment of a partial benefit as follows:

1 day of work     =     ¾ of your full rate
2 days of work    =     ½ of your full rate
3 days of work    =     ¼ of your full rate
4 days of work    =     No benefits due.

What if I am called in for an appointment?

You must report in person when notified of any appointment. Failing to report as instructed may stop the payment of your benefits.

What if I do not have childcare?

A lack of suitable childcare that prevents you from accepting a job, or attending an interview, may result in the denial of your benefits.