Do you need a termination letter to file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?
I got laid off from my job last Friday but my employer never gave me any kind of termination letter or paperwork. They just told me it was my last day and to clean out my desk. I want to file for unemployment benefits but I'm not sure if I need some kind of official document first. Do you need a termination letter to file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor? I have my final paycheck stub but that's about it. Should I ask my former employer for something in writing before I start my claim?
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Sophia Miller
No, you don't need a termination letter to file your NYS Department of Labor unemployment claim. You can file with just your basic employment information - employer name, dates of employment, reason for separation, and your last day worked. The NYS Department of Labor will contact your employer directly to verify the details of your separation during their fact-finding process.
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Elijah Jackson
•That's a relief! I was worried I couldn't even start the process without paperwork. Should I mention in my application that I don't have a termination letter?
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Mason Davis
File as soon as possible - don't wait for any paperwork from your employer. When you file online through my.ny.gov, there's a section where you can explain the circumstances of your job separation. Just be honest about being laid off and provide as much detail as you can remember about what your supervisor told you.
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Mia Rodriguez
•This is good advice. I filed immediately after being terminated and got approved even though my employer was slow to respond to NYS Department of Labor's requests for information.
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Jacob Lewis
I had the same situation happen to me but it took forever to get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor when they needed more info about my termination. If you run into issues getting through to them by phone, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.
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Amelia Martinez
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money since I just lost my job.
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Jacob Lewis
•It was worth it for me to avoid the endless busy signals and getting disconnected. Much easier than trying to call during their limited phone hours.
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Ethan Clark
The NYS Department of Labor system is designed to work without requiring specific documentation from your employer upfront. However, if your employer disputes your claim or if there are questions about the reason for separation, having some kind of documentation can be helpful later. Save any emails, texts, or notes about your termination just in case you need them during the adjudication process.
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Elijah Jackson
•I do have the email where they told me about the layoffs affecting my department. I'll keep that just in case. Thanks for the heads up about potential disputes.
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Mila Walker
wait what if your employer lies about why they fired you?? i got fired but my boss is telling people i quit and im worried theyll tell NYS Department of Labor the same thing
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Sophia Miller
•If there's a discrepancy between what you report and what your employer reports, NYS Department of Labor will investigate. That's when having any documentation about your termination becomes really important. You can also provide witness information if coworkers saw what happened.
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Logan Scott
Just wanted to say thanks for asking this question - I'm in the exact same boat and was wondering the same thing!
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Ella Lewis
I went through this exact situation last year when my company did sudden layoffs. You definitely don't need a termination letter to file - I filed the same day I was let go with just my employment details. The NYS Department of Labor website walks you through everything step by step. One tip: keep a record of exactly what your supervisor said when they let you go, even if it's just notes you write yourself. I wrote down the conversation right after it happened and it helped when they asked for details during the phone interview. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected, and I started receiving benefits within a few weeks.
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Anastasia Ivanova
•That's really helpful advice about writing down the conversation! I wish I had thought to do that right after it happened. I can still remember most of what my supervisor said, but having written notes would definitely give me more confidence. Did they ask you a lot of detailed questions during the phone interview, or was it pretty straightforward?
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