The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare to deal with. I filed immediately when I got laid off but still had issues for weeks because of some random adjudication hold. They don't tell you what's wrong, they don't return calls, it's absolutely ridiculous. But yeah definitely file right away because delaying it just makes everything worse.

Just to echo what everyone else is saying - absolutely file today! I was in your exact situation about 6 months ago (warehouse layoff due to "restructuring") and I filed the same day I got the news. The NYS system lets you file online 24/7 at my.ny.gov and it's actually pretty straightforward. Make sure you have your last employer's info handy including their unemployment insurance account number if you have it (might be on your termination paperwork). The worst thing you can do is wait - every day you delay is potentially money lost since your benefit year starts when you file, not when you lost your job. You've got this!

Thanks everyone for the responses. Sounds like I should expect the payment on Wednesday then. I've learned my lesson about certifying earlier! I appreciate all the help and information.

I've been there too - it's so frustrating when you realize you missed the cutoff! Just to add to what others have said, I've found that if you certify after 7:30pm on Sunday, your payment usually hits your account early Wednesday morning (like 2-4am). I bank with Chase and it's been pretty consistent. Also, if you're really tight on money and need to know for sure about timing, you can check your payment history in the NYSDOL portal - it usually shows the processing date which helps you predict when it'll actually hit your account. Hang in there!

I certify on whatever day I remember and my bank always gets the deposit on Friday, no matter what. I think it might depend on your bank too.

Don't stress about it! I've certified on Monday plenty of times and it's really not a big deal. Your payment will just be delayed by a couple days - so instead of getting it Tuesday, expect it Wednesday or Thursday. The NY unemployment system processes certifications in batches, with Sunday being the main batch and later ones getting picked up in subsequent processing cycles. As long as you don't certify after Monday, you won't miss the entire week's payment cycle. Set a phone alarm for Sunday mornings going forward - I learned that trick after missing it a few times myself!

Just to add - when you file your initial claim, there's a section where you can indicate you're only seeking part-time work. This is important for people receiving Social Security who might not want full-time employment. The NYS Department of Labor will adjust your work search requirements accordingly, but you still need to show you're actively looking for work within your availability.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I turned 66 and got laid off from my job at a local pharmacy. I was so worried about how it would all work together, but I can confirm that you absolutely CAN collect both Social Security retirement benefits and NYS unemployment benefits at the same time. When I filed my weekly certifications, I did NOT have to report my Social Security payments as income - they're treated completely separately. The key thing is just making sure you're genuinely available for work and doing your required job searches. Since you're looking for part-time work like I was, make sure to specify that when you file so they don't expect you to apply for full-time positions. Good luck with your claim!

I've been researching this same question and found some additional info that might help. According to NYS Labor Law Section 590, the maximum weekly benefit amount is recalculated each year using 50% of the statewide average weekly wage from the previous year. What's particularly frustrating is that while they use this formula to set maximums, your individual benefit is still based on your personal wage history during the "base period" - typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before filing. So even when the maximum goes up in October, many people won't see the full benefit because their personal calculation might be lower than the new maximum anyway. I've been tracking the Department's quarterly reports and it looks like wage growth has been modest, so don't expect huge increases. For anyone starting new claims after October 2025, the rates should reflect 2024 wage data, but those of us on current claims are indeed stuck with our locked-in amounts until our benefit year expires.

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share what I learned from my experience. Started my claim in September 2024 and was initially confused about how the rate increases work. After doing some research and finally getting through to a NYS DOL representative, here's what I found out: the benefit year runs from October to September, and your weekly benefit amount is locked in for that entire period based on when you file. So unfortunately Oliver, since you started in November 2024, you're on the 2024 benefit year rates until your claim expires. The 2025 rates that will be announced around August/September will only apply to new claims filed after October 2025. I know it's not the news you wanted to hear, but at least you can plan accordingly. One small tip - keep an eye on the NYS DOL website in late summer for the official announcement about 2025 rates, especially if you think you might need to file a new claim next year.