Can I use military service to get unemployment benefits?

Yes, your military service can count toward unemployment benefits if you meet certain conditions.

Here's what you need to qualify:

1. You completed your first full term of enlistment, unless you were discharged early for:

• A government-approved early release program
• Medical disqualification, pregnancy, parenthood, or any service-incurred injury or disability
• Hardship 
• A personality disorder or inability to adapt (as long as you served at least one year continuously)

OR

2. If you served in the reserves, you may qualify if you had at least 180 days of continuous active duty

AND

3. You were honorably discharged. If you were an officer, you can not have resigned "for the good of the service."

How Benefits Are Calculated

The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) will figure out your weekly benefits based on the highest earnings during your “base period.”

• For military wages, they’ll use a Federal schedule. This includes your base pay for your last rank, plus allowances for food and clothing.

What You’ll Need to Apply

• Have your Form DD214, Member 4 (your most recent separation form) ready when filing your claim.
• Send a copy of this form to the Telephone Claim Center to process your claim. Contact details are on the NYS DOL website: dol.ny.gov/unemployment-insurance-contact.

Important Notes

• Federal wages, military wages, and wages earned outside New York State won’t show up in New York’s Wage Reporting System. This means your initial Monetary Determination might miss these wages.
• If this happens, follow the instructions on the Monetary Determination to report missing employment or wages. This will help the DOL calculate your correct benefit rate.

For more information

• Visit the NYS Department of Labor website: veterans.ny.gov
• Check the FAQ on unemployment: dol.ny.gov/you-apply-unemployment-frequently-asked-questions