How can you get approved for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I got laid off from my warehouse job last week and I'm trying to figure out how to get approved for unemployment benefits. I've never filed before and honestly have no idea what I'm doing. I started the application on my.ny.gov but there's so many questions and I'm worried I'll mess something up and get denied. What are the main things NYS Department of Labor looks for when they decide to approve or deny your claim? I really need these benefits to pay rent while I look for another job.
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Oliver Fischer
The main requirements for approval are pretty straightforward - you need to have lost your job through no fault of your own (layoffs, business closure, lack of work), have earned enough wages in your base period, and be able and available to work. Make sure you answer all questions honestly on the application. The most common reason people get denied is not meeting the work search requirements once approved, so start looking for jobs right away.
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Amina Sy
•Thanks! What exactly counts as the base period? Is that just the last few months I worked?
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Natasha Ivanova
Base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, it would be January-December 2024. You need to have earned at least $2,700 in your base period and worked in at least 2 quarters. Also make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending - missing those will cause problems.
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NebulaNomad
•Wait I thought you couldn't file weekly claims until your initial claim was approved? I've been waiting 2 weeks for mine to process and haven't filed any weekly claims yet...
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Natasha Ivanova
•No you should definitely be filing weekly claims right away! Even if your initial claim is still in adjudication, you need to keep filing. You can backdate later but it's much easier to just file on time from the start.
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Javier Garcia
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status, I had good luck with a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They basically call for you and get 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 when my claim was stuck in adjudication for weeks.
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Emma Taylor
•How much does something like that cost? Seems too good to be true.
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Javier Garcia
•It's not free but honestly worth it when you're stuck and need answers. The time I saved was definitely worth the cost, especially since I was freaking out about my claim being delayed.
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Malik Robinson
the whole system is ridiculous tbh. I got denied the first time because apparently I didn't search for enough jobs even though I was searching every day. Had to appeal and wait another month. Make sure you keep detailed records of every job you apply to because they WILL ask for proof.
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Amina Sy
•Ugh that sounds awful. How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?
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Oliver Fischer
•You need to make 3 work search contacts per week minimum. Keep a log with company name, position, date, and how you applied. Screenshots of online applications work as proof.
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Isabella Silva
same boat here, filed 3 days ago and still showing pending
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