Can I get unemployment if I was let go from my job in NY?
I was let go from my retail job last Friday after working there for almost two years. My manager said it was due to company restructuring and they had to cut staff. I've never filed for unemployment before and I'm not sure if I qualify since I was terminated. Can I get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor if I was let go? What do I need to do to apply?
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Freya Nielsen
Yes, you can definitely file for unemployment if you were let go due to company restructuring or layoffs. That's considered involuntary termination and you should qualify for NYS Department of Labor benefits as long as you meet the other requirements like having enough work history. You'll need to file your initial claim on the my.ny.gov website as soon as possible.
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Ravi Kapoor
•Thanks! Do I need any paperwork from my employer or can I just file online with my basic info?
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Omar Mahmoud
Being laid off is totally different from being fired for misconduct. Since you were let go for business reasons, you should be approved. Make sure when you file your claim that you answer the questions accurately about why you left your job. The NYS Department of Labor will verify with your employer but restructuring/layoffs are pretty straightforward approvals.
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Chloe Harris
•this happened to me too and my claim was approved within like 2 weeks
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Diego Vargas
I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my office job three weeks ago and filed right away. My claim is still showing pending but I've been able to file my weekly claims. The hardest part is actually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor if you have questions. I tried calling multiple times but keep getting busy signals or getting disconnected after waiting forever.
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NeonNinja
•Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it when I was struggling to reach someone at unemployment. You can watch their demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI and basically they help you get through to actual NYS Department of Labor agents. I used claimyr.com when my claim got stuck in adjudication and it saved me so much frustration trying to call myself.
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Diego Vargas
•Never heard of that but might be worth trying if my claim doesn't move soon. Getting through to unemployment is seriously impossible.
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Anastasia Popov
Just make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed! I made that mistake when I first filed and it delayed everything. Also start looking for work right away because you'll need to show job search activities on your weekly claims.
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Ravi Kapoor
•How many job applications do I need to show each week?
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Freya Nielsen
•You need to conduct at least 3 work search activities per week in NY. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking activities. Keep detailed records of everything.
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Javier Garcia
I went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my warehouse job. Since you were terminated due to company restructuring (not for cause), you should definitely qualify for benefits. When you file online at my.ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The process is pretty straightforward - just be honest about why you left and let them know it was a layoff due to restructuring. Good luck!
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Lilly Curtis
•Thanks for the detailed info! Quick question - when you say employment history for the last 18 months, do I need exact start/end dates or just approximate months? I worked a couple part-time jobs before my retail position and I'm not 100% sure of the exact dates.
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