First time filing for unemployment in NY - what actually happens after you submit?
I just got laid off from my retail job last week and filed my unemployment claim online through the NYS Department of Labor website yesterday. The confirmation said my claim was submitted but I have no idea what happens next or how long anything takes. Do they contact my employer? When do I find out if I'm approved? When would I get my first payment? I'm really nervous about messing something up since I've never done this before. Can someone walk me through what the actual process looks like after you file for unemployment?
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Ethan Moore
After you file your initial claim, the NYS Department of Labor will review your application and verify your employment history. They'll contact your former employer to confirm your separation reason and wages. You should receive a determination letter within 2-3 weeks explaining whether you're approved or denied. If approved, you'll start filing weekly claims for benefits. Your first payment usually comes 3-4 weeks after filing if there are no issues with your claim.
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Aisha Ali
•Thanks! Do I need to do anything while I'm waiting for the determination letter or just sit tight?
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Yuki Nakamura
Make sure you start filing your weekly claims right away even before you get the determination letter! You can't get paid for weeks you don't file. Also keep track of any job search activities because NY requires you to look for work. The weekly filing opens up Sunday nights and you have until the following Saturday to submit it.
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Aisha Ali
•Wait, I thought I had to wait until I was approved to start the weekly claims?
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Yuki Nakamura
•Nope, you file weekly claims starting the week after you become unemployed. If your claim gets approved later, you'll get paid for all the weeks you filed. If you wait to start filing, you lose those weeks forever.
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StarSurfer
honestly the whole process is confusing as hell. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back from NYS Department of Labor. Tried calling but you know how that goes - either busy signal or they hang up on you after being on hold forever
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Carmen Reyes
•I had the same problem reaching them by phone until someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that calls the NYS Department of Labor for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to get through myself.
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StarSurfer
•Never heard of that but might be worth trying. This waiting game is driving me crazy.
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Andre Moreau
The system will also check if you qualify based on your work history and earnings. You need to have worked enough weeks and earned enough money in your base period. If there are any issues like you quit your job or got fired for misconduct, your claim might go into adjudication which can take several additional weeks to resolve.
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Aisha Ali
•What's adjudication? I was laid off due to lack of work so I should be fine right?
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Andre Moreau
•Adjudication is when they need to investigate the circumstances of your job separation. Since you were laid off for lack of work, you should be fine, but sometimes employers dispute claims or there are other issues that trigger a review.
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Zoe Christodoulou
dont forget you have to certify that you're able and available to work each week when you file your weekly claim. they ask questions about whether you worked, turned down any job offers, or had any other income
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Jamal Thompson
I remember being so stressed about this whole thing when I first filed. It seems overwhelming but once you get into the routine of filing weekly it becomes pretty straightforward. Just make sure you keep good records of your job search activities in case they audit you later.
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