How does the NYS Department of Labor unemployment process work from start to finish?
I might need to file for unemployment soon and I'm completely lost about how the unemployment process works. I've never been through this before and have no idea what to expect. Can someone break down the NYS Department of Labor process step by step? Like what happens after you file your initial claim, how long everything takes, what you need to do each week, etc? I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for what's coming.
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Jackson Carter
The basic flow is: 1) File your initial claim on my.ny.gov 2) Wait for adjudication (they verify your info) 3) If approved, start filing weekly claims 4) Meet job search requirements 5) Get paid if everything checks out. The whole adjudication process usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on your situation. You'll need your employment history for the past 18 months when you file.
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Lilah Brooks
•Thanks! What exactly is adjudication? And how do I know if I qualify in the first place?
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Kolton Murphy
Adjudication is basically NYS Department of Labor reviewing your claim to make sure you're eligible. They check that you lost your job through no fault of your own, earned enough wages in your base period, and are able and available to work. If there are any issues like you quit or got fired for misconduct, that's when adjudication takes longer because they need to investigate.
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Evelyn Rivera
•mine took forever because my employer contested it, saying I was fired for attendance issues but really I had medical problems they wouldn't accommodate
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Julia Hall
Don't forget about the job search requirements! Once you start getting benefits you need to search for work and keep a log. Right now it's 3 job contacts per week unless you're on standby status. You have to be ready to prove you're actively looking if they audit you.
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Lilah Brooks
•What's standby status? And what counts as a valid job contact?
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Julia Hall
•Standby is when your employer gives you a specific return-to-work date within 30 days. Job contacts can be applying online, talking to employers, networking events, job fairs, etc. Just keep detailed records.
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Arjun Patel
honestly the hardest part is getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when you have questions or problems. their phone system is a nightmare and the wait times are insane. i spent weeks trying to get my claim unlocked after a technical glitch
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Jade Lopez
•I had the same problem trying to reach them about my adjudication status. Someone on here recommended using Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent. Watched their demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI and decided to try it. Actually worked - got connected to someone within an hour who explained exactly what was holding up my claim.
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Tony Brooks
Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still pending! Missing a week can mess up your benefits later. And be 100% honest about any work or income - they cross-check everything.
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Lilah Brooks
•Good to know! How long do benefits typically last?
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Tony Brooks
•Regular unemployment is up to 26 weeks in NY. The amount depends on your past earnings - you can estimate it on the NYS Department of Labor website before you file.
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