Can I still get NY unemployment benefits if I haven't filed a claim yet?

Yes, you can still file a claim now, but you should do it ASAP. In New York, you can request backpay for previous weeks, but only up to a point. When you file, make sure you correctly report the date you became unemployed. The system will ask about this during the application process. However, be aware that NY unemployment typically only allows you to backdate a claim for up to 4 weeks before the week you actually file. Since you mentioned being unemployed for 6 weeks, you might lose about 2 weeks of potential benefits for the delay. File your claim today at labor.ny.gov or call the claims center. Don't wait any longer or you'll lose more weeks of potential benefits.

Oh no no no, I made this EXACT mistake!! Lost my job last year, waited almost 2 months to file because I thought I'd find something quick. When I filed they told me I could only get benefits going back 1 month. I basically threw away hundreds of dollars by waiting!!! File RIGHT NOW don't wait another day!!

Im in the same boat man, just filed yesterday after being laid off for over a month. The website is super confusing but i got thru it eventually. Good luck

You need to have a GOOD reason for not applying right away if you want those back weeks! When I filed in 2025, they specifically asked why I delayed filing. I said I was confused about eligibility after being fired and they accepted that reason. Be honest but make sure you have a valid excuse.

The UI system is DESIGNED to confuse people and make them miss out on benefits!!! They hope you'll wait and lose weeks of eligibility. Happened to my cousin too. The entire NY unemployment system is broken and they don't care about helping workers.

To add some specific information: When you file your NY unemployment claim, you'll need to provide: 1. Your last day of work (be exact) 2. The reason you delayed filing (be honest but clear) 3. Information about your former employer 4. Your work history for the past 18 months For the backdating request, they'll evaluate if your reason constitutes "good cause" under NY Labor Law section 596. Common acceptable reasons include illness, technical issues with the filing system, misinformation from officials, or family emergencies. In 2025, the maximum weekly benefit amount in NY is $650, so potentially you've lost about $1,300 for those two earliest weeks that fall outside the backdating window. File immediately to prevent further losses.

just curious did u get a new job yet or still looking? the market is tough right now

When you finally get through to file your claim (which can take multiple attempts), make sure to select "Request Backdating" when prompted about your employment dates. If the online system gives you trouble with the backdating request, you'll need to speak with an agent directly. I spent days trying to reach someone until I found Claimyr.com which got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. The agent was able to process my backdating request right over the phone once I explained my situation. Just have all your employment information ready!

Did you get it filed yet??? Don't wait!!! Every day counts!!!

Great job filing! Now, make sure you certify for benefits every week going forward (you can do this starting Sunday). Missing weekly certifications is another common way people lose benefits. Set a reminder on your phone for the same time each week. If your backdating request is approved, you'll receive notification and be asked to certify for those past weeks as well. If denied, you have 30 days to request a hearing to appeal the decision. Good luck with your job search too!

Just wanted to follow up and say thank you to everyone who helped me understand the NY unemployment system! I filed my claim last week and just got confirmation that my backdating request was approved for 3 out of the 6 weeks I was unemployed. Not perfect, but way better than losing all those weeks. For anyone else in a similar situation - don't wait like I did! The sooner you file, the better your chances of getting all your eligible weeks. And definitely set up those weekly certification reminders that Oliver mentioned. I already have mine set for Sunday mornings. Still job hunting but at least the unemployment benefits will help cover my expenses while I search. This community has been incredibly helpful during a stressful time.

Congratulations on getting 3 weeks approved! That's really encouraging to hear. As someone new to this community, I've been reading through all the advice here and it's clear how much everyone cares about helping each other navigate these complicated systems. Your story is a perfect example of why it's so important to file as soon as possible, even if you think you might find work quickly. I'm sure sharing your experience will help other people who are in similar situations and worried they've waited too long. Best of luck with your job search - the market is challenging right now but having those benefits to fall back on definitely takes some of the pressure off. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone on how things worked out!

Welcome to everyone who's new to this community! As someone who's been navigating the NY unemployment system recently, I really appreciate how helpful and supportive this group is. It's clear that many people here have been through similar challenges and are willing to share their knowledge. For anyone reading this thread who might be in a similar situation to the original poster - the key takeaway is definitely to file as soon as possible. Even if you think you'll find work quickly, it's better to have the safety net in place. The backdating process exists for good reasons, but there are limits, and every day you wait potentially costs you benefits. Also wanted to add that keeping good records of your job search activities is important too, since NY requires you to document your work search efforts when you certify each week. Start tracking where you've applied, when you applied, and any follow-up activities - it'll make the weekly certification process much smoother. Thanks again to everyone who shares their experiences here - it really makes a difference during tough times!

This thread is such a great resource! As someone new to this community, I'm really impressed by how detailed and supportive everyone's responses are. The original poster's situation is unfortunately very common - I think a lot of people assume they'll find work quickly and delay filing for unemployment benefits. What strikes me most is how the community not only provided practical advice about NY's backdating policies and filing procedures, but also emotional support during what's clearly a stressful time. The follow-up posts showing the successful resolution with 3 weeks of backdating approved gives hope to others who might be in similar situations. For anyone else reading this, the key lessons seem to be: - File immediately when you become unemployed, even if you think it's temporary - NY allows backdating up to 4 weeks with "good cause" - Keep detailed records of your job search activities for weekly certification - Set up reminders for weekly benefit certification to avoid missing payments Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is invaluable for navigating these complex systems!

As someone who just joined this community, I have to say this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Reading through everyone's experiences with NY unemployment filing really highlights how important it is to have knowledgeable people willing to share what they've learned the hard way. The original poster's situation resonates with me because I think many of us would make that same mistake - assuming we'll find work quickly and not wanting to "burden the system" if we don't really need it. But it's clear from everyone's responses that unemployment benefits exist for exactly these situations, and there's no shame in using them when you're eligible. What really stands out to me is how this community provided both practical information (the 4-week backdating rule, good cause requirements, weekly certification reminders) AND emotional support throughout the process. The follow-up showing that 3 out of 6 weeks got approved proves that even when you make mistakes, acting quickly based on good advice can still salvage a difficult situation. For anyone else who might stumble across this thread in the future: don't wait! File immediately, be honest about why you delayed, and make sure to certify every single week going forward. This community has created a really valuable resource here.