Can u apply for unemployment online - NYS Department of Labor website questions
hey everyone, probably a dumb question but can u apply for unemployment online through the NYS Department of Labor website? my job just ended last week and im trying to figure out if i need to go somewhere in person or if i can do it all from home. also how long does the online application take if thats even possible? thanks
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Amara Nwosu
Yes, you can absolutely apply for unemployment benefits online through the NYS Department of Labor website at my.ny.gov. You'll need to create an account if you don't have one already. The online application typically takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and your bank account information for direct deposit ready before you start.
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Liam O'Donnell
•awesome thank you! do i need to wait a certain amount of time after my last day of work or can i apply right away?
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AstroExplorer
You should apply as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits, but the sooner you file your initial claim, the sooner that waiting period starts. Don't wait - you can lose potential benefits if you delay filing. The NYS Department of Labor processes claims much faster when you apply online compared to phone or mail applications.
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Giovanni Moretti
•This is so helpful! I've been putting off applying for weeks thinking I needed to go to an office somewhere. Had no idea the whole process was online now.
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Fatima Al-Farsi
Just make sure you have all your documentation ready before you start the online application. I made the mistake of starting it without my previous employer's exact address and had to stop halfway through. You can't save your progress, so you have to complete it in one sitting. Also be prepared for the website to be slow during peak hours - try applying early morning or late evening.
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Liam O'Donnell
•good tip about the timing, i was gonna try during lunch break but sounds like thats probably when everyone else is on there too
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Dylan Cooper
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING!!! The NYS Department of Labor system can be glitchy and sometimes applications don't go through properly. Take screenshots of every page and save any confirmation numbers they give you. Trust me, you'll want proof you submitted everything correctly if there are any issues later.
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Sofia Perez
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone when I had questions about my online application, but I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of busy signals and hang-ups when I needed help with my claim status.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they charge you anything or was it free to use?
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Sofia Perez
•They do charge but it was worth it for me since I couldn't get through any other way. Way less stress than hitting redial for hours.
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ElectricDreamer
yep online is definitely the way to go. much faster than the old days when you had to mail stuff in or show up at the unemployment office. just be patient with the website, it can be slow but it works
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