


Ask the community...
Make sure you apply as soon as you lose your job! There's a waiting week but benefits are backdated to when you first file. Don't wait thinking you'll find something quickly because the job market is rough right now.
The system is so broken. They denied my claim initially even though I had all the right documentation. Had to appeal and it took 2 months to get resolved. Start gathering your paperwork now so you're ready.
The real issue is that NYS Department of Labor is completely understaffed and their phone system is designed to discourage people from calling. Even when claims are 'routine' they're taking longer than they should because there's just not enough people processing them. It's intentional bureaucratic friction.
Just went through this myself in December. Filed on a Monday, got approved exactly 2 weeks later on the following Monday. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while it's pending - that's really important or you'll lose those weeks.
Look, the whole system is rigged anyway. They raise the minimum wage to make themselves look good, then small businesses can't afford to hire as many people, unemployment goes up, and guess who suffers? Regular working people like us. Meanwhile the politicians pat themselves on the back for 'helping workers' while we're all fighting for fewer jobs. It's a joke.
This reminds me of when I was unemployed back in 2019 before all the wage increases really kicked in. I remember thinking it would be easier to find work then, but honestly it was still pretty competitive. I think every generation thinks the job market was better before whatever economic changes happened during their time. The important thing is just to keep applying and stay positive about it.
I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim status and it's impossible! The phone lines are always busy and when I do get through I get disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?
I had the same problem until someone told me about claimyr.com - they help you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
Samantha Johnson
If you do get fired and need to reach NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status, I had good luck with claimyr.com - it's a service that calls and waits on hold for you. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me time when I was trying to get through during my adjudication period and couldn't reach anyone at the regular phone numbers.
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Zoe Walker
•Interesting, I've never heard of that before. How much does something like that cost?
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Samantha Johnson
•I don't remember the exact price but it was worth it for me since I couldn't get through on my own after trying for days. Much less stressful than sitting on hold forever.
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Nick Kravitz
Just make sure you file your claim right away if you do get terminated. You can't backdate benefits in most cases, so don't wait thinking you'll find another job quickly. Even if you're not sure you'll qualify, it's better to file and let NYS Department of Labor make the determination.
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Zoe Walker
•Good point, I didn't think about the timing aspect. How soon after getting fired should I file?
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Nick Kravitz
•File as soon as possible - you can file online the same day you're terminated if needed. Just make sure you have your last day of work correct on the application.
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