Eligibility for unemployment insurance
Geracitano v Comm. of Labor, 277 AD2d 558
Barbara A. Geracitano served as a seasonal employee with the State Department of Parks and Recreation. She typically would apply for unemployment insurance benefits during her off-season.
Geracitano, however, also served as an elected councilperson and received a salary together with health benefits and the was eligible to participate in the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement system.
Her application for unemployment benefits was disapproved after the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board ruled that she was ineligible to receive such benefits because she was not totally unemployed during the time in question.
The Appellate Division sustained the Board’s decision, holding that substantial evidence supports the Board’s ruling.... The court pointed out that in the past it had ruled that a council person was not totally unemployed where the proof showed that he or she received an annual salary for his [or her] work as a council person, performed a variety of duties in that capacity and was subject to inquiries by his [or her] constituents, citing Matter of Silverstein, 236 AD2d 757.