599 program — in plain language

Plain language

a state program that lets you attend approved school or training while receiving unemployment benefits, without the training counting against your work-search or availability requirements

• training-while-claiming program
• approved-training benefits
• Section 599 program

What to watch for

• The 599 program is specific to New York (Section 599 of the New York Labor Law); the plain rewrite should not present it as a universal program, because other states have their own training provisions under different names.
• It applies only to approved training, not to any schooling; the plain version should not present it as blanket permission to attend school while claiming, because the training must meet the program's approval rules.
• Approved training is treated as compatible with the work-search and availability requirements, but the claimant must still notify the agency and meet the program's rules; the plain version should not present it as automatic.

New York-Specific. The 599 program is specific to New York, set out in Section 599 of the New York Labor Law. The plain rewrite should not present it as a universal program, because other states have their own training-while-claiming provisions under different names.

Only Approved Training. The program applies only to approved training, not to any schooling. The plain version should not present it as blanket permission to attend school while claiming, because the training must meet the program's approval rules.

Not Automatic. Approved training is treated as compatible with the work-search and availability requirements, but the claimant must still notify the agency and meet the program's rules. The plain version should not present participation as automatic, because failing to notify or to comply can cost the protection.

Common Misunderstandings by Non-Lawyers.

• "The 599 program exists in every state." (No — it's specific to New York; other states have their own training provisions under different names.)
• "Any school I attend counts under the 599 program." (No — only training the state approves counts.)
• "Being in training automatically waives my work-search and availability duties." (No — you have to notify the state and follow the program's rules for the protection to apply.)

Legal definition

The 599 program is a New York unemployment insurance program, set out in Section 599 of the New York Labor Law, that lets you attend approved school or training while receiving benefits. Normally, attending school or training can raise questions about whether you are able and available for work and meeting your work search; under the 599 program, approved training is treated as compatible with those requirements, so it does not by itself disqualify you. You must notify the state agency and meet the program's approval rules, and the training must be approved — it is not a blanket permission to attend any school while claiming.

Examples

Where you'll see it

• claimants entering approved training
• training-eligibility determinations
• claimant handbooks on schooling while claiming
• questions about whether training affects benefits

Related terms

• able and available to work
• work search
• suitable work
• dislocated worker

Word details

Pronunciation

FYV-NYN-NYN PROH-gram

Part of speech

noun

Origin

American English statutory nomenclature — named for Section 599 of the New York Labor Law, which authorizes benefit receipt during approved training

Domains

unemployment insurance law, administrative law

Frequency

uncommon

Formality

moderate