Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP)
The Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) gives you an opportunity to start your own business while you are collecting unemployment insurance benefits. If you are accepted into the SEAP, you will work full time at starting your own business, and you will not be required to look for other work.
To learn more about the SEAP and its requirements, please visit the SEAP web page.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
If you lost your job directly or indirectly because of foreign trade, you may be eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). This program can provide you with opportunities to obtain the skills, credentials, resources, and support you need to become reemployed.
To be eligible for these benefits, the United States Department of Labor must certify that foreign trade was an important reason that you lost your job. Your employer, the New York State Department of Labor, your union, or you and two other affected employees must file a petition to get this certification.
See more details about TAA.
599 Program
A provision in the UI Law (the 599 Program) allows UI claimants to receive benefits while they attend a training course or program. The training, however, must be approved by the Department of Labor.
Once we approve training under this provision, UI claimants:
- Are excused from the requirement to look for work
- May qualify for more weeks of benefits when there are funds
If you told us that you attend (or have been accepted to) a training program when you filed your unemployment insurance claim, the Labor Department will contact you. We will review your course or program. Then we will tell you if it is approved or not.
If you delay notifying us about training acceptance or attendance, it may reduce the benefits you can collect. If you fail to disclose attendance in training while receiving benefits, it may result in penalties and loss of future benefits.
If you want to attend training, contact your local New York State Career Center promptly to qualify for the highest benefit allowed under this program. Trained counselors at the Career Center can help you with your training needs and guide you to approvable training programs.
If we cannot approve your training, you may be eligible to collect UI benefits while in training - as long as you are able to seek and accept employment.
See more details about the 599 Program.