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I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim two weeks ago and just finished my waiting week. One thing I learned that might help others - make sure you're filing your weekly certification on the exact day you're supposed to. I almost missed it because I thought I could file anytime during the week, but apparently NYS Department of Labor has specific filing windows. Also, if you're worried about rent like I was, some utility companies and landlords will work with you if you show them your unemployment approval letter. It's not guaranteed money yet, but it shows you have income coming. The waiting is definitely stressful when bills are piling up, but hang in there!
@Keisha Thompson That s'such a great tip about showing the approval letter to landlords and utility companies! I never thought about that but it makes total sense - at least it shows you have something coming in. I m'definitely going to try that approach if my rent situation gets tight. Quick question though - do you know if the weekly certification filing window is the same for everyone, or does it depend on when you first filed? I want to make sure I don t'accidentally miss my window like you almost did.
@AaliyahAli The filing window depends on your last name! NYS Department of Labor assigns specific days based on the first letter of your last name. If your last name starts A-F you file Sunday, G-N file Monday, O-Z file Tuesday. But you can actually file on your assigned day OR any day after that during the same week - you just can't file early. So if you're supposed to file Monday but miss it, you can still file Tuesday or Wednesday of that same week. Just don't wait too long or you might miss the cutoff for that week entirely. You can check your exact schedule in your online account under the weekly certification section.
I'm currently dealing with the waiting week situation too and wanted to share what I've learned from my experience. Filed my claim on a Tuesday and was initially confused about when the waiting week actually starts, but after calling NYS Department of Labor (took forever to get through), I found out that your benefit year and waiting week both start on the Sunday of the week you file your claim, regardless of what day you actually submitted it. So even though I filed on Tuesday, my waiting week ran from the previous Sunday through Saturday. The key thing is to keep filing those weekly certifications even during the waiting week - I know it feels pointless since you're not getting paid, but skipping it will definitely mess up your claim timeline. Also, if anyone is struggling financially during this period like the original poster mentioned, check if your local social services office has emergency assistance programs. Some counties in NY offer one-time emergency rent assistance while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. It's not much but every little bit helps when you're in a tight spot.
@StarSurfer Thanks for that detailed breakdown! The Sunday start date clarification is really helpful - I was also confused about whether it started from my actual filing date or not. That emergency assistance tip is gold too - I had no idea counties offered temporary rent help while waiting for unemployment. Do you happen to remember which counties you found that offer this? I'm in Nassau County and could really use that info. Also, when you called NYS Department of Labor, what time of day did you have the best luck getting through? I've been trying for days but keep getting disconnected or put on eternal hold.
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Just make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed! I made that mistake when I first filed and it delayed everything. Also start looking for work right away because you'll need to show job search activities on your weekly claims.
How many job applications do I need to show each week?
You need to conduct at least 3 work search activities per week in NY. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking activities. Keep detailed records of everything.
I went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my warehouse job. Since you were terminated due to company restructuring (not for cause), you should definitely qualify for benefits. When you file online at my.ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The process is pretty straightforward - just be honest about why you left and let them know it was a layoff due to restructuring. Good luck!
Thanks for the detailed info! Quick question - when you say employment history for the last 18 months, do I need exact start/end dates or just approximate months? I worked a couple part-time jobs before my retail position and I'm not 100% sure of the exact dates.
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I'm in week 2 of waiting for my determination and this thread is such a relief! I was starting to worry that something was wrong since I hadn't heard anything yet. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel so much better about the timeline - sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty typical for straightforward cases. I was laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that's clear-cut enough to not cause delays. One thing I'm wondering about - should I be concerned if they don't request any additional documentation from me? I keep seeing people mention that they needed wage verification or employer responses, but I haven't gotten any requests for extra info. Is that a good sign or does it not really mean anything either way? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - it really helps to know we're all going through this together!
No additional documentation requests is actually a really good sign! It usually means your employer information, wage records, and separation reason are all clear in the system. When NYS Department of Labor needs extra verification, they'll typically send requests through your my.ny.gov correspondence section pretty quickly after you file. Since you haven't gotten any requests and it was a straightforward company downsizing, that suggests everything looks good on their end and you're just in the normal processing queue. I was in a similar situation - laid off due to budget cuts, no additional docs requested, and I got approved at the 3 week mark. The waiting is nerve-wracking but sounds like you're on track for a smooth approval!
I'm about 10 days into my determination wait and honestly this thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on the official NYS Department of Labor website! The lack of transparency about timelines from the state is really frustrating when you're dealing with financial stress. It's reassuring to see that most people are getting approved eventually, even if the wait times vary so much. I was wondering if anyone has noticed whether filing earlier in the week vs later affects processing time at all? I submitted mine on a Tuesday morning and I'm probably overthinking it, but just curious if timing makes any difference. Either way, thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to know this uncertainty is normal and that we're not alone in this process!
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Wait I thought there was still some kind of extended benefits available? My cousin in another state said she got extra weeks beyond the normal 26. Is that not a thing in NY anymore?
You might be thinking of Extended Benefits (EB) which can trigger during high unemployment periods, but that's separate from the COVID programs. EB hasn't been available in NY recently because our unemployment rate hasn't hit the trigger threshold.
Honestly the whole thing was such a mess anyway. I know people who got way more money sitting at home than they ever made working. At least now its back to normal and people have to actually look for jobs again.
That's pretty harsh. A lot of people genuinely needed that help during the pandemic when businesses were forced to close.
Ella Thompson
just went through this last month, got approved no problem. make sure you have your employer fill out the separation form correctly showing lack of work not misconduct or anything like that
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Carmen Flores
I've been working seasonal construction for about 8 years now and can confirm that seasonal workers absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits in New York. The key thing is to make sure your employer properly documents the layoff as "lack of work" rather than any other reason. I usually file my claim the week I get laid off in December and have never had major issues getting approved. One tip - if you know approximately when you'll be called back to work, mention that in your claim but don't give a specific date unless your employer puts it in writing. The NYS DOL understands seasonal patterns in industries like construction, landscaping, and tourism. Just be honest about your situation and keep up with the weekly certifications!
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Laura Lopez
•This is really helpful advice! I'm new to seasonal work and wasn't sure how the whole process worked. Do you usually apply for benefits right when you get the layoff notice, or do you wait until your last day of work? Also, when you mention keeping up with weekly certifications - is that something you do online or do you have to call in?
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