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Just make sure you file right away because there's that one week waiting period before benefits start. Also be prepared for your employer to possibly contest your claim - they often do this automatically to try to keep their unemployment insurance rates down. Don't let that discourage you, just respond honestly to any requests for information during the adjudication process.
I went through something similar a few months ago - got fired from my job for "performance issues" but really felt like they just wanted to get rid of me without proper cause. Filed for unemployment right away and was approved after about 2 weeks of review. The key thing is being completely honest on your application about what happened. Don't try to sugarcoat it or make yourself look perfect - just stick to the facts. NYS DOL investigators can usually tell the difference between someone who genuinely struggled with job requirements versus someone who was being negligent or insubordinate. Good luck with your claim!
Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY! I made the mistake of waiting 10 days after my termination because I thought I needed to "process" what happened first. Those 10 days were basically wasted benefit time that I can never get back. The NYS system is actually pretty straightforward once you start - you'll need your SSN, employment history for the past 18 months, and basic info about why you were terminated. Don't overthink the documentation part - the initial application is just to get you in the system. If they need more details during adjudication, they'll ask for it. Your employer threatening to contest is totally normal and honestly just shows they're trying to discourage you from filing. File now, worry about their contest later!
@Joshua Hellan Thanks for sharing your experience! It s'really helpful to hear from someone who actually went through the waiting "period mistake." 10 days of lost benefits is definitely a wake-up call. I m'convinced now - filing today for sure. I ve'got all my employment info ready and I m'not going to let my employer s'intimidation tactics work. Appreciate everyone s'advice on this thread, it s'given me the confidence to move forward immediately rather than second-guessing myself.
I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago and can't stress enough - file immediately! The NYS DOL benefit year begins the week you file your claim, not when you lost your job. Every day you wait is potentially money left on the table. I was also worried about my employer contesting (which they did), but that didn't stop me from receiving benefits while the case was under review. The online system at my.ny.gov walks you through everything step by step, and you can always add documentation later if needed during the adjudication process. Don't let your employer's threats discourage you - that's exactly what they're hoping for. Get your claim filed today and start the process rolling!
Glad it all worked out! I've been there with the Sunday night panic certification too. One tip that's helped me - I set up a recurring calendar reminder for Saturday evenings that says "Certify for unemployment tomorrow." That way I remember to do it Sunday morning when I'm relaxed instead of scrambling at the last minute. The peace of mind is worth it!
I'm new to NY unemployment and this thread is super helpful! I just started collecting benefits and wasn't sure about the certification timing. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel more confident about the process. Question though - is there any advantage to certifying early on Sunday versus later in the day, or does it really not matter as long as it's before midnight?
Welcome to NY unemployment! From what I've learned lurking here, there's no real advantage to certifying early vs late on Sunday - the system processes everything in one batch overnight. The main benefit of doing it early is just peace of mind and avoiding that last-minute panic like Sean had. I usually try to do mine Sunday morning with my coffee so I don't have to think about it the rest of the day. Good luck with your benefits!
@Amina Sow Welcome! I ve'been collecting for about 8 months now and can confirm timing doesn t'affect processing - it s'all done in one batch. But I d'recommend doing it Sunday morning if possible just to avoid the stress. Also, keep screenshots of your confirmation pages just in case there are ever any issues. The NY system can be glitchy sometimes and having proof you certified on time has saved me twice when payments got delayed for technical reasons.
ugh the whole at-will thing is so confusing! like they can fire you for literally anything but then sometimes you can still get unemployment?? makes no sense to me but glad it worked out for you OP
I know it seems contradictory! The way it works is that at-will means they can fire you without advance notice for most reasons, but unemployment benefits protect workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. So even though they CAN fire you easily, if the reason isn't misconduct, you still deserve support while looking for new work.
Just wanted to add that when you file your claim, make sure to emphasize that your termination was due to "lack of work" or "position elimination" rather than performance issues. NYS Department of Labor has specific categories for separation reasons, and choosing the right one can help streamline your approval process. Also, don't forget that you'll need to certify for benefits every week once your claim is processed - you can do this online or by phone. Good luck with your claim!
This is really helpful advice! I'm new to all this unemployment stuff and didn't realize there were specific categories for separation reasons. When you say "certify for benefits every week" - what exactly does that involve? Is it just confirming that I'm still unemployed and looking for work? I want to make sure I don't mess anything up once my claim gets approved.
Sean Fitzgerald
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Got my fax notice yesterday and I'm completely lost. After reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like getting a real person on the phone might be the best route since they can offer email options that aren't mentioned in the automated notices. Has anyone tried scanning documents with the Google Drive app? I heard it has a decent scanner feature too. Also really appreciate everyone sharing their Claimyr experiences - $20 sounds totally reasonable if it means avoiding the fax nightmare. The fact that NY unemployment still requires faxing in 2023 is absolutely ridiculous!
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Vince Eh
•Yes! Google Drive's scanner works great - I actually prefer it over the iPhone Notes scanner because it automatically crops and enhances the documents. The image quality is really clear which is super important for fax transmission. I used it when I had to submit wage statements last year. Definitely try the callback service route first though - sounds like most people here had success getting email options from actual agents. It's honestly criminal that they don't mention email as an option in those notices when it's clearly available!
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Rudy Cenizo
I went through this exact nightmare three weeks ago and it was so stressful! After reading all these responses, I wish I had found this thread earlier. I ended up trying FaxZero first (failed twice), then HelloFax (worked but took 3 attempts), and finally got my documents through. But honestly, after seeing all the success stories with Claimyr here, I would have just paid the $20 for a callback service from the start and gotten email options. The amount of time and anxiety I could have saved! One tip that really helped me - when scanning documents with your phone, make sure you're in a well-lit area and hold the phone steady. Blurry scans are the main reason faxes fail. Also, definitely send your docs at least 2-3 days before the deadline because you might need multiple attempts. The NY unemployment system is absolutely broken but don't give up - there are definitely ways to get your documents submitted!
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