Can I get unemployment after 3 months of being out of work?

You can definitely still file! There's no rule that says you have to apply immediately after losing your job. The key thing is that you need to be unemployed through no fault of your own, which sounds like your situation. NYS Department of Labor will review your case from when you actually file, not from when you first became unemployed. You won't get retroactive benefits for the 3 months you didn't file, but you can start receiving benefits going forward if you qualify.

yeah i waited like 2 months before filing mine last year and it was fine. just make sure you have all your employment info ready - dates, wages, reason for separation etc. the nys dept of labor online system asks for a lot of details

The important thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are based on your work history and earnings over the past 18 months, not on when you apply. Since you were working until October, you should have sufficient wage credits to qualify. You'll need to create an account on my.ny.gov and file your initial claim there. After that, you'll need to certify weekly to continue receiving benefits. Make sure you're actively looking for work as that's a requirement.

I'm in a similar situation but it's been 4 months for me. I keep hearing different things about whether there's a deadline to apply. Some people say 6 months, others say there's no limit. This is so confusing!

Just a heads up - I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone when I had questions about my claim. The wait times are ridiculous and half the time they just hang up on you. 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 showing how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get answers about my claim status.

The unemployment system is such a nightmare honestly. They make it so hard to get help when you need it most. But yeah file anyway, better late than never I guess.

Don't give up hope! I was in a very similar situation - lost my job in September due to layoffs and didn't file until December because I was embarrassed and thought I'd find work quickly. The application process itself is pretty straightforward once you get started. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready. Also gather any separation paperwork from your employer if you have it. The hardest part for me was actually getting through the initial setup on my.ny.gov, but once that's done, the weekly certifications are much easier. You've got this!

I went through something very similar! I was unemployed for about 2.5 months before filing and was kicking myself for not applying sooner. The good news is that NYS doesn't penalize you for waiting to file - they just can't backdate benefits to cover the period before you actually applied. When I finally filed, I was approved within about 2 weeks and started receiving payments shortly after. One tip that really helped me: make sure you file your weekly certification every Sunday without fail, even if you're still waiting for your initial claim to be processed. Missing even one week can cause delays. Also, don't be discouraged if your first payment takes a little longer - mine took about 3 weeks total from filing to receiving my first deposit. You're definitely not too late, so don't stress about the timing!

I was in almost the exact same boat - lost my job in September due to layoffs and didn't file until January because I kept thinking I'd find something soon and didn't want to "burden the system." Biggest mistake! You absolutely can still file and there's no penalty for waiting, but you're missing out on money you could be receiving right now. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start getting benefits. I qualified easily since I had been working steadily before the layoff. The process took about 10 days from filing to getting my first payment. Don't let embarrassment or misconceptions keep you from getting the help you're entitled to - file today if you can!

I'm in almost the exact same situation - unemployed for about 3 months after a layoff and just now realizing I should have filed sooner! Reading through these responses is really reassuring. I've been beating myself up thinking I missed some kind of deadline. It sounds like the consensus is that it's definitely not too late and I should file ASAP. I'm curious though - for those who've been through this process, how long did it typically take from filing your initial claim to actually receiving your first payment? I'm trying to plan my budget and want to have realistic expectations about timing.

I'm also dealing with a similar delay - been out of work for about 4 months and kept putting off filing because I was convinced I'd land something any day now. Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief! It sounds like NYS really doesn't penalize you for waiting to file, which is great news. I'm definitely going to get my application started this weekend. One question for those who've already been through this - should I expect any complications or extra scrutiny because I waited so long to file? I'm worried they might question why I didn't apply right away, especially since I was clearly eligible from the start.

I was in a very similar situation last year - unemployed for almost 4 months before filing and was so anxious I had missed my chance! But I filed in late December and was approved without any issues. The NYS system doesn't ask why you waited to apply, they just need to verify your work history and that you lost your job through no fault of your own. My advice: gather all your employment documents now (pay stubs, W-2s, employer contact info) and file as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. I was kicking myself for waiting so long because those benefits really would have helped during those first few months. Don't make the same mistake I did - there's no shame in needing help after a layoff!

I just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be in a similar situation - I waited almost 5 months before filing last year because I was dealing with some family issues on top of the job loss and just felt completely overwhelmed by everything. When I finally did file, not only was there no penalty, but the NYS Department of Labor staff I spoke with were actually really understanding about why people sometimes delay filing. They see it all the time - people think they'll find work quickly, or they're dealing with other life stresses, or they're just not sure about the process. The key thing to remember is that unemployment benefits exist specifically to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, and that includes you! You've been paying into this system through your taxes, so don't feel guilty about using it when you need it. I wish I had filed sooner, but I'm just grateful I finally did. Start the process as soon as you can and be patient with yourself through it.

I'm reading through all these responses as someone who's also been putting off filing, and it's honestly such a relief to see I'm not alone in this situation! I lost my job in November due to budget cuts and kept thinking I'd find something before the holidays, then after the new year, and now here we are in late January. I've been so worried that waiting this long would somehow disqualify me or that there would be penalties. Seeing everyone's experiences - especially those who waited 4-5 months and still got approved - is giving me the confidence to finally start the application process. It sounds like the key is just being honest about your employment history and separation reason, which in my case was also completely involuntary. I'm going to gather my documents this weekend and file early next week. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - sometimes you just need to hear from real people who've been through the same thing!