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The whole system is a joke honestly. They make it so hard to get basic information and the website crashes half the time when you try to file your weekly claim. I've been waiting 6 weeks for my appeal hearing and still nothing!
Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims too once your initial application is processed. That's separate from the sign up process but equally important for actually getting paid.
honestly the whole system is a mess. I've been trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim being stuck in adjudication. the phone lines are always busy and when you do get through they just tell you to wait. super frustrating when you're trying to pay bills
I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor agents. Someone on here recommended Claimyr and it actually worked - they got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
Make sure you file within the first week after losing your job. There's no waiting period in NY but if you delay filing your initial claim, you could miss out on benefits for those weeks. Also keep all your paperwork from your employer about the layoff - you might need it if there are any questions about your separation.
The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing with all these calculations. I filed 3 months ago and I'm still not 100% sure they calculated mine correctly but I was afraid to question it and mess up my payments. The whole thing gives me anxiety.
Just remember you also have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits so factor that in when budgeting. They don't automatically withhold taxes unless you request it.
Diego Vargas
The whole system is so confusing honestly. I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks to clarify some of these rules but can never get through on the phone. The automated system just hangs up on me after waiting forever.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•I had the same problem until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to actual NYS Department of Labor agents when you can't reach them yourself. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get my questions answered without the endless hold times.
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StarStrider
One thing people forget is that if you're doing any kind of work, even gig work or odd jobs, you HAVE to report it on your weekly claim. The amount doesn't matter - report everything. NYS Department of Labor will calculate how it affects your benefits but not reporting can get you in trouble for fraud.
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Ravi Gupta
•Good point! I did some freelance work last month and wasn't sure if I needed to report it since it was just a few hours.
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