Who we are |
Need help? |
Want to be an advocate? |
News |
Links |
Who we are |
The UAC
provides free representation to people in New York who are trying to claim
their unemployment benefits. We have worked with hundreds of claimants since
the UAC was founded in 1981. We are a completely student-run non-profit
organization with members from five law schools in New York City. |
|
We are not
lawyers. We are law students who help claimants by presenting their cases in
front of administrative law judges at the Department of Labor. This
assistance includes researching unemployment insurance law and conducting
direct and cross-examination. We also appeal adverse decisions. |
Need help? |
In order for
us to represent you, your benefits hearing must be scheduled at the Department
of Labor (DOL) in Manhattan, Hempstead, or Hauppage. |
|
Once you have
a hearing date, call the UAC office at 212-998-6568. |
|
When you call
you will be asked for a brief explanation of your situation and why you were
denied benefits. Because of the large volume of unemployment benefits
hearings, we cannot represent everyone. When student advocates are available,
however, they will call you to plan a time to meet and discuss your case
further. |
|
Generally our
advocates require two in-person meetings with you before the hearing. Please
be aware that if you call fewer than 3 business days before your hearing, it
is less likely that advocates will be available to take your case. |
|
If no advocate
is available, you can try contacting other organizations that represent
claimants. See our links. |
back to top |
Want to be an advocate? |
The
UAC currently has chapters at: |
|
Columbia
University School of Law |
Fordham
University School of Law |
Hofstra
University School of Law |
New
York Law School |
New
York University School of Law |
To be a
student advocate, you must be in law school. You must also be trained (see news for upcoming trainings). At the
training you will learn what you need to know to successfully advocate for a
claimant. You do not have to attend your own chapter's training if you are
unable to attend during the scheduled time. Feel free to go to any one of the
posted trainings. |
|
An average
case takes 5 to 10 hours of preparation. A case can easily be prepared within
several days or a weekend, although the work may be spread out over 10 days,
depending on when the hearing is scheduled. |
|
We encourage
you to work with a partner or an experienced advocate on your first case. |
back to top |
News |
Please join us for the Eighth Annual
Unemployment Action Center Banquet March 9, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Fordham University, Lowenstein
Building, 12th Floor Hall West 60th Street and Columbus Avenue Featuring keynote speaker Mark Green. |
Mr.
Green has used his legal training in the interest of the citizens of New York
for many years. He served as New York CityÕs first Public
Advocate and was the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in 2001.
He currently lectures at NYU Law School and
serves as the President of the New Democracy Project, a national/urban
affairs institute headquartered in New York City that promotes
democratic participation and social justice. The
UAC dinner will draw labor and employment law practitioners, law professors,
and students from throughout New York City. It is
an excellent opportunity to socialize with colleagues and enjoy a stimulating
presentation. Funds raised at the dinner help cover the administrative
costs of representing hundreds of unemployed workers for free. We hope you
will join us at the dinner this year. If
you can attend, please send checks to our office at: UAC, 240 Mercer St., New York, New
York, 10012-1507. Dinner
prices: $
100 for Attorney at Private Firm or $750 for table of 8 $
60 for Academia or Public Interest or $400 for table of 8 $
25 for Students If
you cannot attend, donations may also be sent to our office. In
addition, if you cannot attend, please consider buying an advertisement
for the program booklet. Each
guest receives a program booklet for the event, listing names of student
awardees, biographies of the speakers, a summary of the
topic, and more. Having your name in the program is an excellent way to show
your support for the UAC. Advertisement
prices: $
1000 Ð Middle page: 14 x 8 $
600 Ð Back cover: 7 x 8 $
400 Ð Inside back cover: 7 x 8 $
250 Ð Full page: 7 x 8 $
150 Ð Page: 7 x 4 $
100 Ð Page: 3 x 4 Photo-ready
ads can be sent by mail, fax, or email to the UAC office. The deadline for
advertisements is March 1, 2004. Contact
our office at 212-998-6568 with questions. |
Upcoming trainings for advocates |
New York
Law School 6-8 p.m.,
Tuesday, February 3 Wellington
Conference Center, 5th Floor 47 Worth
Street Directions:
Take the A, C, E to Canal; head south on Church St. to Worth; turn right. Or, 1, 2, 3, 9
to Chambers; head north on W. Broadway to Worth; turn right. Or, N, R to
City Hall; head north on Broadway to Worth; turn left (just past Church). Students from
other law schools may attend if they show ID. Columbia
University Law School 6 p.m.,
Tuesday, February 3 Jerome Greene
Hall, Room 701 On the
northeast corner of 116th and Amsterdam. Take the 1, B
or C to 116th. New York
University Law School Sunday,
February 8 Check back for
more details. |
Check
this page later! More trainings will be posted. |
back to top |
Links and contacts |
Department of
Labor (DOL) in New York: |
New York State Department of Labor, Unemployment Claim
Information, 52 West 20th Street, NY, NY 10011, 212-242-8900 |
|
The DOL's
summary of unemployment insurance case law: |
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/business_ny/unemployment_insurance/interp/InterpService.htm |
Other organizations that represent
claimants |
MFY Legal
Services, Workplace Justice Project |
|
Workers'
Defense League |
Contact at 275 Seventh Avenue, New York NY 10001, 212-627-1931 |
back to top |
Contact us |
To
request an advocate, call the UAC office at 212-998-6568. |
|
Page updated 10/11/2003 |
|
|
||