


Ask the community...
just apply anyway, worst they can say is no and then you know for sure instead of wondering about it
To answer your original question more specifically - you'll need to file online through the NYS Department of Labor website. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months including employer names and addresses, and your most recent pay stub. If you worked in other states, you might need to file in the state where you earned the most wages during your base period.
I was in a similar situation last year when my restaurant cut everyone's hours. Took me forever to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about my claim. The phone lines are always busy and the website isn't always clear about partial benefits. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call myself.
You need to do 3 job searches per week and log them in the NYS Department of Labor system when you file your weekly claim. If you can't get through to check your claim status, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
Appeals are definitely worth filing if you think the denial was wrong! You have 30 days from the determination date. I won my appeal last year after they initially said I quit voluntarily, but I had documentation showing I was laid off due to lack of work.
Don't forget about the job search requirements too. Even if you qualify initially, they can stop your benefits if you don't do the required job contacts each week or skip appointments at the career center. I know someone who lost benefits because they missed one appointment.
Zara Rashid
Sociologists would probably say the unemployment system itself becomes part of the problem when it's this overwhelmed. When people can't access benefits efficiently, it creates additional stress and social instability beyond just being unemployed.
0 coins
Omar Fawaz
•That's a really good point. I see people getting more frustrated with the system itself than just being unemployed.
0 coins
Luca Romano
I think about this alot too!! My whole family has been affected - me, my brother, my dad all filed UI claims this year. Its like the whole social fabric is coming apart when this many people are out of work at once.
0 coins