Just to add some clarity here - while you do have up to one year to file your initial claim in NY, there are some important things to keep in mind. If you're eligible for benefits, you'll typically receive payments for up to 26 weeks (though this can vary based on economic conditions). The key thing is that your benefit year starts when you file, not when you lost your job. So if you wait 6 weeks to file like you did, you're essentially losing 6 weeks of potential benefits. Also make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file - previous employer details, dates of employment, reason for separation, etc. The process isn't as overwhelming as it seems once you get started!

I'm in a similar situation - got laid off about 4 weeks ago and have been procrastinating on filing. Reading all these responses is really motivating me to just bite the bullet and do it this week! It sounds like the online application through my.ny.gov is the way to go. Quick question though - when you file, do you need to already be actively job searching or can you start looking after you submit your claim? I've been doing some casual browsing but haven't really ramped up my search yet.

This whole system is so stressful!! I'm constantly worried about running out of money before I find something. The job market is still tough out there.

One thing that helped me track my remaining weeks was creating a simple spreadsheet when I first filed. I marked down my start date (the Sunday of the week I filed) and counted out 26 weeks from there. Also keep in mind that if you do any part-time work while collecting, those earnings might extend your benefit period slightly since you'd still be using up weeks but getting reduced payments. The key is to stay organized and keep all your documentation - I saved screenshots of my weekly certifications just in case there were ever any disputes about my claim.

Omg are you me??? This LITERALLY just happened to me last week! I freaked out but then my payment came through normally anyway. I think its just the system being glitchy af as usual.

Hey! I went through something similar a few months ago. The system randomly flagged me as "working" when I definitely wasn't. Turns out it was because I had done a one-time freelance gig like 6 months earlier and somehow the system got confused about the dates. Even though you said you haven't worked at all, double-check if there's ANY income from anywhere - even like selling something on Facebook Marketplace or getting paid back for something. Sometimes the system picks up on weird stuff. But honestly, if you were able to certify and answered truthfully, you'll probably get paid normally. The NY system is notorious for these random glitches that fix themselves. Just keep screenshots of everything in case you need to prove what happened later!

Yeah you should be fine if it's a layoff situation. Just make sure when you file that you select the right reason for separation. Don't say you quit or anything like that obviously.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago when my company had layoffs. One thing I wish someone had told me - keep detailed records of everything! Save your layoff notice, any emails about the elimination of your position, and document your last day of work. The NYS Department of Labor may ask for proof that you were laid off rather than fired for cause. Also, don't forget that you'll need to certify for benefits every week, even if there are delays in processing. Good luck with everything!

Check your spam folder! My authorization email went there and I was stuck for days being stupid 🤦‍♂️

Had the exact same issue! Filed in late January and couldn't certify for weeks due to the authorization error. What finally worked for me was clearing my browser cache completely and trying a different browser. Also make sure you're using the exact same login info from your original application - sometimes people accidentally create multiple accounts which causes auth issues. If that doesn't work, definitely call them because there might be an issue with your claim that needs manual review. Don't stress too much about the backpay - as long as you document your attempts to certify, they'll sort it out retroactively once your account is fixed!