Just went through this exact situation a couple months ago when my manufacturing plant shut down. You definitely don't need a termination letter - I filed my claim the same day I got laid off and only had verbal notice too. The NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty efficient about verifying everything with my former employer. One tip though: make sure you file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't file. The online system walks you through everything step by step, and as long as you're honest about the layoff circumstances, you should be fine. Good luck!

Just to add another perspective - I was in a similar situation last month when my retail job ended due to "restructuring" (basically they eliminated my position). Like others said, you absolutely don't need a termination letter. The NYS DOL system is actually designed to handle situations where people get verbal notice or sudden layoffs. When I filed online, I just selected "laid off" as the reason and wrote a brief explanation in the comments section about the budget cuts. They processed my claim without any issues. The key is filing quickly and being completely honest about what happened. Don't stress about the lack of paperwork - it's more common than you think!

My friend just dealt with this. File new claim, but EXPECT problems. Her new claim took 7 weeks to process and she had to call multiple times. The system is a mess. Budget accordingly if you can.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I literally went through this exact situation 3 months ago. Filed my new claim when I had 3 effective days left (after reading advice similar to what's here), and it took about 3 weeks total to get my first payment on the new claim. The key things that helped me: - Filed the new claim early (don't wait until you hit zero days) - Never stopped doing my weekly certifications - Had all my employer info organized beforehand - Got lucky and qualified based on work I did before my original claim started One thing that caught me off guard - my weekly benefit amount dropped from $420 to $340 on the new claim because they use a different calculation period. So even if you qualify, your payment might change. Also seconding what others said about claimyr - used them after 2 weeks of getting nowhere on my own and finally got connected to someone who could actually help. Worth the cost to avoid the endless hold music. Good luck OP, the system sucks but you'll get through it!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and I completely understand the stress! Here's what I wish someone had told me: First, gather all your documents BEFORE you start the online application - your Social Security card, driver's license, last pay stub, and a list of all employers from the past 18 months with their addresses and phone numbers. The application will time out if you take too long looking for information. Second, file your claim the week you lose your job, don't wait! I made that mistake and it delayed everything. Third, once you file your initial claim, you MUST file weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed - this is super important or you'll lose benefits for those weeks. The whole process usually takes 2-3 weeks if there are no complications, but start filing those weekly claims right away. You've got this!

I filed for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor about 3 months ago and wanted to share a few tips that really helped me. First, create your account at labor.ny.gov early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy - I had way fewer technical issues that way. Second, when they ask for your employment history, don't stress if you can't remember exact dates or addresses - approximate information is fine for the initial filing and they'll verify details with your employers later. Third, save a copy of everything you submit and write down your confirmation numbers! I also recommend setting up direct deposit right away so your benefits go straight to your bank account. The whole process took about 10 days for me to get my first payment, but that was because I filed immediately after my last day of work. You're going to be okay - just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to call if you get stuck on any part of the application.

You should also update your job search log to show that you're no longer actively searching since you accepted employment. This helps keep your records clean with NYS Department of Labor.

Make sure to also check if you need to report any wages earned during your last week of unemployment benefits. Since your job starts Monday, you'll want to be clear about which week was your final week of eligibility. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about accurate wage reporting, so it's better to over-communicate than leave anything unclear when you submit your return to work notification.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The most important thing is to file your weekly claim as normal this week and accurately report your return-to-work date when prompted. Don't panic about potential overpayments - as long as you're honest and report it through your next certification, NYS DOL will handle stopping your benefits automatically from your start date. I was worried I'd mess something up too, but the system is actually designed to handle this transition smoothly when you report it properly. The key is being proactive like you're doing now rather than trying to hide it or figure it out later. You've got this!

I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation frequently. You're absolutely doing the right thing by asking about this now rather than waiting! The weekly certification system is specifically designed to capture employment changes, so when you file this week, just answer all questions honestly including your start date. One tip: keep a record of when you reported your return to work (screenshot your certification if possible) just in case you need to reference it later. The automated system will handle stopping your benefits correctly, and being proactive like this shows good faith if there are ever any questions down the line. Best of luck with your new position!