Are there any downsides to filing for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?

There are really no major downsides to filing for unemployment benefits in New York. The main requirements are that you actively search for work and report any earnings from part-time work. Your credit won't be affected and employers can't see your UI claim history when hiring. The only 'downside' is the job search requirement - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log.

honestly the biggest downside is dealing with the NYS Department of Labor system itself lol. the website crashes all the time and trying to get someone on the phone is impossible. but yeah definitely file, you paid into the system so you deserve the benefits

File immediately! There's absolutely no reason to wait. Benefits are retroactive only to the date you filed, not when you lost your job. The only potential 'downside' is if you have a very specific situation like being a seasonal worker or having quit your job - but you were laid off so you're definitely eligible. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week.

The job search thing can be annoying but it's not that bad. I had to do it for 6 months last year. You just log your contacts in the NYS Department of Labor system when you file your weekly claim. As long as you're genuinely looking for work it's fine. I actually found my current job through one of the required contacts so it worked out!

One thing people don't always realize - if you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask questions about your claim, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication and couldn't get through the regular phone lines.

The only real downside I can think of is if you find a job really quickly, like within a week or two, then you'll have gone through the hassle of filing for basically nothing. But even then it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus if the new job doesn't work out you'll already have an open claim.

@Chloe Anderson - I was in your exact situation a few months ago (also retail, first time unemployed). Honestly, filing was one of the best decisions I made. The benefits really helped me stay afloat while job hunting, and I didn't experience any of the negative consequences I was worried about. The process itself is pretty straightforward once you get through the initial application. My advice? File today - every week you wait is money you're leaving on the table. The job search requirement actually motivated me to be more systematic about my search, and I ended up finding something better than my previous job. You've got this!

@Chloe Anderson - Just want to echo what everyone else is saying here - file ASAP! I was also worried about potential downsides when I first got laid off, but there really aren't any significant ones. The job search requirement is actually pretty manageable - you just need to apply to 3 jobs per week and keep track of where you applied, when, and what position. The NYS system has a built-in work search log that makes it easy to track. One tip: don't just apply to random jobs to meet the requirement - use it as motivation to actively network and explore opportunities you might not have considered before. I ended up finding a better position through a contact I made during my required job search activities. The peace of mind from having that weekly income while you look for the right job is absolutely worth it!

Just to add another perspective - I filed for unemployment after getting laid off from a restaurant job 8 months ago and it was honestly a lifesaver. One thing I wish someone had told me upfront is that you can start your claim online at labor.ny.gov and it walks you through everything step by step. The whole "will this hurt my future job prospects" worry is totally understandable but completely unfounded - unemployment benefits are literally designed for situations exactly like yours! The system exists because we all pay into it through our paychecks. Don't let any stigma hold you back from accessing benefits you've already earned. My only regret was waiting almost two weeks before filing because I thought I'd find something quickly. Those two weeks of benefits I lost out on would have really helped with my rent that month.

@Chloe Anderson - I totally understand your hesitation! When I got laid off from my office job last year, I had the same exact worries. But honestly, filing for unemployment was one of the smartest things I did. There are literally zero downsides in terms of credit or future employment - employers can't even see that you've collected benefits. The biggest "downside" people mention is the weekly job search requirement, but it's really not that burdensome - just 3 job contacts per week that you log in their system when you file your weekly claim. What I found is that it actually kept me accountable and organized in my job search. The peace of mind of having that income coming in while you look for the RIGHT job (not just any job out of desperation) is invaluable. You've been paying into this system with every paycheck - these benefits are literally yours to claim. File today if you can, because every day you wait is money you can't get back!

@Chloe Anderson - I was in almost the exact same boat as you about 6 months ago (laid off from a customer service job, first time filing). I kept hesitating because I was worried about some imaginary negative consequences, but honestly there are none! The biggest thing that helped me was realizing that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance that you've been paying for through your job. It's not welfare or charity, it's literally your money that you've earned the right to access. The job search requirement everyone mentions is really not bad at all - I actually ended up discovering job boards and networking events I never would have found otherwise. One practical tip: when you file your weekly claim online, it asks about your job search activities right there in the system, so you don't need any separate documentation. Just keep notes on where you applied, what positions, and the dates. The peace of mind of having that steady income while job hunting is absolutely worth it. Don't leave money on the table - file as soon as possible!

@Chloe Anderson - I completely understand your concerns! I was in a similar situation last year when I got laid off from my first "real" job and was terrified about filing for unemployment. Like you, I'd never been unemployed before and was worried about all sorts of potential consequences that turned out to be completely unfounded. The reality is that filing for unemployment benefits is one of the most straightforward and beneficial things you can do in this situation. There are truly no downsides in terms of credit, background checks, or future employment opportunities. The weekly job search requirement is actually pretty reasonable - just 3 job contacts per week, which honestly helped me stay focused and organized in my search. What really convinced me was when someone explained that these aren't handouts - they're benefits you've literally earned by working and paying taxes. Every week you delay filing is money you're losing that you can never get back. The system is designed exactly for situations like yours. I'd strongly encourage you to file today rather than waiting to see if you find something quickly - you can always stop claiming benefits once you find a job, but you can't retroactively claim for weeks you didn't file. Trust me, having that financial safety net will actually help you make better job decisions instead of feeling pressured to take the first thing that comes along!