Can I still apply for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor after missing deadline?
I lost my job back in December but didn't think I qualified for unemployment because I was only working part-time for 8 months. Now I'm struggling to find work and my savings are running out. Can I still apply for unemployment benefits even though it's been almost 2 months? I heard there might be some kind of time limit but I'm not sure what the rules are for NYS Department of Labor. Really kicking myself for not looking into this sooner.
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Ellie Simpson
You can absolutely still file! There's no specific deadline to apply for unemployment benefits in New York. You should file your claim as soon as possible though because benefits are calculated from when you file, not from when you lost your job. The NYS Department of Labor will review your work history to determine if you earned enough in covered employment during your base period. Even part-time work can qualify you if you meet the earnings requirements.
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AaliyahAli
•That's such a relief to hear! I was worried I had completely missed my chance. Do you know what the earnings requirements are? I was making about $15/hour working 25-30 hours a week.
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Arjun Kurti
File your claim online at labor.ny.gov right away. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and reason for separation from your last job. The system will automatically calculate if you have enough earnings in your base period. Don't wait any longer - you're already missing out on potential benefits for the weeks you could have been claiming.
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Raúl Mora
•This is exactly right. I made the same mistake and waited 6 weeks to file thinking I didn't qualify. Lost out on over $2000 in benefits I could have received.
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Margot Quinn
ugh i did the same thing!! thought part time didnt count but it totally does. just make sure you have all your employer info ready when you apply, the system asks for a lot of details
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AaliyahAli
•Good to know I'm not the only one who assumed this. Did the application process take long for you?
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Evelyn Kim
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to speak with someone about my application. The phone lines are always busy and their online chat rarely works. If you run into issues reaching them, I found 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. Made the whole process much less frustrating.
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Diego Fisher
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they charge you anything for the service?
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Evelyn Kim
•Yeah they do charge but it was worth it to actually talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor instead of being on hold for hours or getting hung up on. Way less stressful than trying to get through on my own.
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Henrietta Beasley
The system is so confusing about who qualifies and who doesn't. I swear they make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from applying. But definitely file your claim - the worst they can say is no, and you might be pleasantly surprised.
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