Dear UUP Colleagues,
As we are all aware, New York State is feeling the impact of the Coronavirus Economic Depression. This has led to a massive budget gap presently that may very well lead to the loss of employment for SUNY’s Contingent Faculty/Adjuncts. One of the steps that can be taken by our contingent colleagues is to take advantage of Unemployment Insurance. This message pertains to this so please share this message with as many contingent faculty at your chapters as possible.
Contingent faculty (e.g., adjuncts) who have completed their spring semester work obligation, do not have summer school employment, and who have not received an appointment letter for the fall semester should consider applying for NYS Unemployment Insurance (UI) this summer.
Your eligibility for UI depends on whether you have received an offer of employment for next year which provides you with “reasonable assurance” of employment that is substantially similar to your employment this year. Even if you have not previously applied for UI over the summer, it is appropriate for you to apply now.
When You Apply, What Will You Be Asked?
When you apply, the Department of Labor (DOL) will ask if you work for an educational institution, and whether you are between years or terms. The answer is “yes” to both questions. They will also ask what you have been told about the coming year. You must fully disclose all offers of work, whether written, verbal, or electronic. If there is reason to believe that a course you have been offered may not actually run or may be given to someone else, include that information in what you tell the DOL.
How Is Your UI Benefit Rate Calculated?
The application will ask you where you have worked in the last 15-18 months, and to list all employers during that period. The DOL will calculate your weekly UI benefit rate based on your recent earnings and will inform you of the results by mail in a one-page Notice of Monetary Determination. Your weekly benefit will range from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $504.
NOTE: DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENACTED AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OF $600 PER WEEK FOR ANYONE ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. THROUGH JULY 31, 2020, THIS WILL BE PAID WEEKLY ALONG WITH YOUR ALLOTTED RATE.
What Determines Eligibility?
In New York people employed by educational institutions are NOT eligible for UI during the summer or during winter break if they have “reasonable assurance” of rehire for substantially similar services the following semester or year. When you apply, you will be asked what your campus has told and specifically offered you for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters.
You are most likely eligible for benefits if:
- You have received a letter of non-renewal, or
- You have not been offered any classes for next semester or year, or
- You are given an offer that represents less than 90% of the previous semester (e.g., you taught three courses in the spring and were offered only two for the fall).
For more details, see UUP’s UI Guidelines for Contingent Faculty at the following link: https://uupinfo.org/resources/contingents/docs/FlierUnemploymentInsuranceGuidelinesSept2019.pdf
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Thanks very much for your help on this vitally important issue.
In Solidarity,
Fred Kowal
UUP Statewide President