How does collecting unemployment work in NY - confused about the whole process
I might be losing my job soon and I've never filed for unemployment before. Can someone explain how collecting unemployment actually works? Like do I apply before I lose my job or after? How much money do you get and how long does it take? I'm seeing all these terms like weekly claims and adjudication but I have no idea what any of this means. Just want to understand the basics of how the NYS Department of Labor system works.
11 comments
Join the conversation
Nia Jackson
You apply AFTER you lose your job, not before. First step is filing your initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and reason for separation. The system calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings during your base period. Then you file weekly claims every week to certify you're still unemployed and looking for work. The whole process can take 2-3 weeks before you see your first payment.
0 coins
Luca Romano
•What's a base period? And how do they calculate how much you get each week?
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
Base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in March 2025, they'd look at Oct 2023 through Sept 2024. Your weekly benefit is roughly half your average weekly wage during that period, up to the state maximum which is currently around $504/week. You can collect for up to 26 weeks in most cases.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
•mine got stuck in adjudication for like a month though, just saying
0 coins
Aisha Khan
OH GOD the adjudication thing is the WORST part!! They basically investigate your claim if there's any question about why you lost your job. Takes FOREVER and they don't tell you what's happening. I've been waiting 3 weeks already and can't get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to find out what's going on.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•If you're having trouble reaching them by phone, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your adjudication status.
0 coins
Ethan Taylor
Don't forget about the job search requirements! You have to be actively looking for work and keep a log. In NY you need to do at least 3 work search activities per week. This includes applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc. They can audit your search log so keep good records.
0 coins
Yuki Ito
•yeah my friend got in trouble for not keeping proper records
0 coins
Carmen Lopez
The whole system is honestly a nightmare to navigate. Between the confusing website, impossible phone lines, and constant delays, it's like they don't want you to get benefits. But unfortunately it's the only safety net we have. Just be prepared for lots of frustration and bureaucratic nonsense.
0 coins
Yuki Ito
•so true, took me forever to figure out the weekly claim thing
0 coins
Kaiya Rivera
One thing that really helped me when I first applied was gathering all my documents beforehand. Make sure you have your driver's license or state ID, Social Security card, and detailed employment info for every job in the last 18 months - employer names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of employment, and reason you left each job. Also have your bank account info ready for direct deposit setup. The application process goes much smoother when you're not scrambling to find paperwork halfway through.
0 coins