Can I sign up for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I just lost my job last Friday and I'm wondering if I can sign up for unemployment benefits. I've never done this before and I'm not sure where to start or if I even qualify. I worked at a retail store for about 8 months before they let me go due to budget cuts. Do I need to apply right away or can I wait a few days? Also, what information do I need to have ready when I apply?
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Zoe Kyriakidou
Yes, you should definitely apply for unemployment benefits through the NYS Department of Labor as soon as possible. You can file your claim online at labor.ny.gov or by calling their unemployment insurance phone line. Don't wait - there's a waiting week anyway, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, employment history for the last 18 months including dates and wages, and your bank account information for direct deposit.
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AstroAce
•Thank you! Should I file today even though it's the weekend? And do I need to have all my pay stubs from the last 18 months?
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Jamal Brown
You can file your initial claim 7 days a week online, but you might have to wait until Monday if you need to call. You don't need physical pay stubs - the NYS Department of Labor will verify your wages with your employers directly. Just make sure you have the exact dates you worked and your employer's information. Also, make sure you were laid off and didn't quit, because that affects your eligibility.
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AstroAce
•I was definitely laid off, not fired for cause. They said it was company-wide budget cuts. That should be okay, right?
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Zoe Kyriakidou
•Yes, layoffs due to budget cuts typically qualify you for benefits. Just be honest about the reason when you file your claim.
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Mei Zhang
i applied last month and it was pretty easy online. took maybe 20 minutes. you do have to do weekly certifications though so dont forget about that part
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AstroAce
•What are weekly certifications? Is that something I do every week after I apply?
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Zoe Kyriakidou
•Yes, you'll need to file a weekly claim every week to continue receiving benefits. You'll answer questions about whether you worked, if you looked for work, and if you were available to work. This is required even in your first week.
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Liam McConnell
One thing to know is that if you have trouble getting through on the phone to NYS Department of Labor, there's a service called Claimyr that can help you get connected to an agent faster. I found out about it when I was stuck in adjudication and couldn't reach anyone for weeks. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me a lot of frustration when I needed to speak to someone about my claim status.
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AstroAce
•That's good to know! I hope I don't run into any issues, but I'll keep that in mind if I can't get through.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
Just remember you have to start looking for work right away and keep a log of your job search activities. NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep records of where you applied. Don't slack on this because they do check sometimes!
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