How do you fill out unemployment application in NY - confused about NYS Department of Labor forms
I got laid off from my restaurant job last week and everyone keeps telling me to file for unemployment but I have no idea how to fill out the forms properly. The NYS Department of Labor website has so many different sections and I'm worried I'm going to mess something up and get denied. Do I need to report my tips separately? What about the weeks I was sick before getting laid off? Should I include my part-time weekend job from 6 months ago? I've never done this before and I'm stressed about getting it wrong. Can someone walk me through the basic steps of how you actually fill this stuff out?
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Destiny Bryant
Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it looks! Start with the initial claim application on the NYS Department of Labor website. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months. For restaurant work, yes you do report tips - use your W2 or pay stubs to get the total wages including tips. The system will ask for employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Take your time and double-check everything before submitting.
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Hattie Carson
•Thank you! Should I include that weekend job even though it was only for like 2 months? I'm worried it will complicate things.
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Dyllan Nantx
Yes include ALL employment from the last 18 months, even short-term jobs. The NYS Department of Labor uses this to calculate your benefit amount so leaving jobs out could actually hurt you. For the sick time before being laid off, only report it if you were actually separated from work - if you were still employed but just out sick, that's different. Make sure you have your employer's correct federal ID number too, the system is picky about that.
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TillyCombatwarrior
•This is so true about the federal ID number! My claim got delayed for weeks because I put down the wrong EIN for one of my previous employers.
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Anna Xian
ugh the NYS Department of Labor website is such a pain to navigate!! I spent hours trying to figure out where to even start my application. Make sure you do it during off-peak hours because the site crashes constantly. Also keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit because their system has a habit of losing information and you'll need to re-enter it all.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
•Had the exact same problem! I tried calling their help line but after being on hold for 2 hours I just gave up. Actually ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration compared to trying to call myself.
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Rajan Walker
Just be super careful about the reason for separation part. If you put down the wrong thing it can mess up your whole claim. For layoffs you want to select 'lack of work' or 'company downsizing' - don't accidentally pick anything that makes it sound like you quit or were fired for misconduct.
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Hattie Carson
•Good point! It was definitely a layoff, they closed the location completely. I'll make sure to be clear about that.
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Nadia Zaldivar
Once you get your initial claim filed you'll need to do weekly certifications every week to keep getting benefits. Don't forget about those or you'll lose your payments! And start looking for work right away because they have job search requirements now.
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