You're being way too considerate! File your claim TODAY. I waited two weeks worrying about the same thing and lost out on $1,200 in benefits because unemployment doesn't pay retroactively for delays. The employer impact is minimal and spread out over years.

As someone who works in HR, I can confirm what others have said - the NYS Department of Labor unemployment insurance system is designed to protect both workers and employers. Your former employer was already paying quarterly UI taxes based on their payroll, and one claim won't cause their rates to skyrocket overnight. The experience rating adjustments happen gradually over a multi-year period. Most small business owners understand that layoffs lead to unemployment claims - it's factored into their business planning. You paid into this system through your work, so don't feel guilty about using the safety net you helped fund. File your claim right away!

Been through this twice with NYS Department of Labor and can confirm - no extra money for kids. But like someone else mentioned, definitely apply for other assistance programs. Also make sure you're claiming the child tax credit when you file taxes next year, that can be a decent chunk of money.

I'm in a similar situation - just started my unemployment claim after being laid off and I have two young kids. While it's disappointing that NY doesn't provide dependency allowances like some other states, I did want to mention that you should make sure you're calculating your benefits based on your highest earning quarter. When I filed, I initially missed that detail and thought my benefit amount would be lower than it actually was. Also, if you were working part-time or had irregular hours because of childcare responsibilities, that might affect your base period calculation. It's worth double-checking all your wage information when you file to make sure they have everything correct.

wait so if I don't file one week I lose the money for that week forever?? that seems really harsh especially if you just forget or something comes up

One thing that helped me was setting up a weekly phone alarm for Sunday evenings to remind me to file my weekly certification. I also bookmarked the my.ny.gov portal on my phone so I could access it easily. The questions really are straightforward once you get into the routine - they mainly want to know if you worked any hours that week, what job search activities you did, and confirm you're still available for work. Just make sure you keep a simple log of where you applied for jobs each week since they ask for specific details about your job search efforts.

ugh the whole unemployment system is so confusing!! I remember when I first applied I kept second-guessing every answer and it took me like 3 hours to complete because I kept going back and changing things. Just stick with your first instinct and be honest about everything.

One more important tip - after you submit your initial application, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits. The system will prompt you to do this, but don't forget or you'll miss payments. Also, you'll need to register for work search activities through the NYS Department of Labor job search system.

One more thing to consider: If Monday is a holiday (like Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc.), your deposit would be delayed until Tuesday. Just checking that isn't the case for this coming Monday since you mentioned rent being due.

Just wanted to follow up and confirm what others have said - KeyBank definitely doesn't process on Saturdays. I've been on NY unemployment for 8 months now and have never once received a deposit on weekends. The timing is always: claim released Thursday = deposit appears Monday morning (usually between 6-8am in my experience). If you're really tight on rent, some landlords will accept a screenshot of your pending payment status as proof that money is coming. Mine did that once when I was in a similar bind. Also, pro tip: set up text alerts with KeyBank so you'll know the exact moment your deposit hits!