Do I need a letter of termination for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits?

You don't need to wait for a termination letter to file your unemployment claim. NYS Department of Labor recommends filing as soon as possible after job separation because benefits don't start until you file. When you apply online, you'll provide your employer's information and the reason for separation. Your employer will receive a notice and respond with details about your termination. The termination letter can be helpful documentation but it's not required to start your claim.

definitely file now dont wait!! i made that mistake and lost like 2 weeks of benefits because i thought i needed all the paperwork first

The key information you need is your employer's name, address, and your last day of work. NYS Department of Labor will contact your employer directly to verify the separation details. Keep any documentation you do receive for your records, but don't delay filing. You can always upload additional documents later through your my.ny.gov account if needed.

I had the same situation last year and was so stressed about not having the 'right' paperwork. Turns out NYS Department of Labor just needs the basic info to get your claim started. The investigation happens after you file, not before. Just make sure you're honest about the reason for separation when you fill out the application.

When I got terminated I couldn't reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask questions like this. Ended up using a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

just file online its super easy compared to calling