Can you apply for unemployment if you get laid off in NYS - what's the process?
Just found out my position is being eliminated next month due to company restructuring. This would be my first time dealing with unemployment benefits. Can you apply for unemployment if you get laid off in New York? What documentation do I need and when should I file? I've heard there are weekly requirements but don't know what to expect from the NYS Department of Labor process.
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Anastasia Sokolov
Yes, being laid off definitely qualifies you for unemployment benefits in NY. You should file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The NYS Department of Labor requires you to file weekly claims and actively search for work.
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Diego Rojas
•Thank you! Do I need to wait until my last day or can I file before that?
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Sean O'Donnell
File the day after your last day of work, not before. The NYS Department of Labor system won't let you backdate claims. Make sure you have your final pay stub and any severance information ready. You'll also need to register with the NY job search system and log your job search activities every week.
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Zara Ahmed
•How many jobs do you have to apply for each week? I keep hearing different numbers from people.
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Sean O'Donnell
•It's 3 work search activities per week minimum. Can be job applications, networking events, or career counseling sessions. Keep detailed records because they do audit these.
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StarStrider
been through this twice unfortunately... yes layoffs qualify but sometimes there's delays if they need to verify with your employer. took about 3 weeks for my benefits to start both times even though everything was straightforward
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Diego Rojas
•Three weeks seems like a long time when you have bills to pay. Is there anything that speeds up the process?
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Luca Esposito
The hardest part is actually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor if you have questions. I spent hours on hold trying to clarify something about my claim status. Recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that connects you directly to unemployment agents - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to check on my adjudication status.
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Nia Thompson
•Interesting, never heard of that. Does it actually work or is it just another way to waste money?
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Luca Esposito
•It worked for me. Got connected to a real NYS Department of Labor agent in like 10 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. Worth it when you really need answers about your claim.
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Mateo Rodriguez
Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off and being fired for cause. Layoffs due to restructuring, downsizing, or economic reasons qualify. Being terminated for misconduct can disqualify you from benefits. Sounds like your situation is clearly a layoff so you should be fine.
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Nia Thompson
good luck with the system... it's a nightmare to navigate and they make you jump through hoops constantly. at least you qualify though, that's the main thing
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CosmicCowboy
I went through this process last year after a layoff. One thing I wish I had known earlier - make sure you file your weekly certification by the deadline (usually Sunday night) or you'll miss that week's payment entirely. Also, keep copies of everything you submit because the system sometimes glitches and loses information. The good news is that once you get into the routine, it becomes pretty straightforward. Just stay on top of the weekly requirements and document everything!
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Nora Bennett
•This is really helpful advice, especially about the Sunday deadline! @Diego Rojas - definitely pay attention to this timing piece. I ve'heard so many horror stories about people missing payments because they filed late or the system went down at the last minute. Do you know if there s'any grace period if you miss the Sunday deadline, or is it just completely lost for that week?
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