How does unemployment work - complete beginner needs NYS Department of Labor process explained
I might be losing my job next month and I've never filed for unemployment before. I'm completely lost about how does unemployment work in New York. What's the actual process? Do I apply before I lose my job or after? How much money do you get? I've heard people mention weekly claims and job search requirements but I have no idea what any of that means. Someone told me there's something called adjudication that can delay everything? I'm really stressed about this whole situation and would appreciate any guidance from people who've been through this before.
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Lena Schultz
Don't worry, the NYS Department of Labor unemployment process is pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. You apply AFTER you lose your job, not before. You'll file your initial claim on the NYS Department of Labor website, then file weekly claims every week to certify you're still unemployed and looking for work. Your benefit amount depends on your previous earnings - typically around 50% of your average weekly wage up to the state maximum. The job search requirement means you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log. Adjudication happens if there are questions about your eligibility, like if your employer contests your claim.
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Caesar Grant
•Thank you! That's really helpful. What happens during adjudication exactly? How long does that usually take?
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Giovanni Rossi
•Adjudication is when they investigate your claim to determine if you're eligible for benefits. It usually happens if your employer contests your claim (saying you were fired for misconduct or quit voluntarily) or if there are discrepancies in your application. During this time, your benefits are on hold while they review documents and may interview you and your employer. Unfortunately, it can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on how backed up they are. The good news is if you're approved, you'll get back pay for the weeks you were waiting.
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Gemma Andrews
Here's the step by step process: 1) File your initial claim online at labor.ny.gov within the first week after losing your job 2) Wait for your monetary determination letter showing your benefit amount 3) Start filing weekly claims every Sunday-Saturday 4) Complete your job search activities and keep records 5) Get paid if everything processes correctly. The hardest part is usually getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor if you have issues - their phone lines are always busy.
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Pedro Sawyer
•The phone situation is ridiculous! I spent weeks trying to get through when my claim got stuck.
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Mae Bennett
•If you can't get through on the phone, try using Claimyr.com - they help you reach NYS Department of Labor agents when the lines are jammed. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it when my claim was in adjudication for a month and finally got answers.
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Beatrice Marshall
ugh the whole system is such a mess!! i filed in december and it took FOREVER to get my first payment because they had to verify my identity or something. make sure you have all your documents ready - social security card, drivers license, work history for the past 18 months. and dont even get me started on the job search requirements - you have to apply to jobs even if theyre not really suitable just to meet the quota
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Melina Haruko
•Same here with the identity verification! It's so frustrating when you need the money right away.
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Dallas Villalobos
Been on unemployment three times in the past decade. The key things to remember: file your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose benefits for that week, be honest about any work you do (even temporary gigs), and keep detailed records of your job search. When I was on it last year my benefit amount was $504 per week which wasn't bad. The system has gotten better since COVID but there are still delays sometimes.
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Caesar Grant
•That's actually more money than I expected! How do they calculate the exact amount you get?
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Lena Schultz
•It's based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. NYS Department of Labor takes your total wages from that quarter, divides by 26, and that's your weekly benefit rate up to the maximum.
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Avery Davis
One thing I wish someone had told me when I first applied - make sure to set up direct deposit right away! Getting those debit cards they send can take forever and they charge fees for everything. Also, if you do any freelance or gig work while collecting, you MUST report it on your weekly claim even if it's just $20. I learned this the hard way when they made me pay back benefits because I didn't report some small Uber earnings. The NYS Department of Labor takes unreported income very seriously and it can mess up your whole claim.
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Isabella Santos
•This is really good advice about direct deposit and reporting income! I had no idea about the debit card fees. Quick question - when you say report ANY income, does that include like selling something on Facebook Marketplace or just actual work income?
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Aisha Rahman
•@dac71e00e811 Great point about direct deposit! For @354ff1d192ad - you should report any income from work or self-employment, but casual sales like selling personal items on Facebook Marketplace usually don't count as "earnings" for unemployment purposes since you're not running a business. However, if you're regularly flipping items for profit or it becomes a consistent income source, then yes you'd need to report it. When in doubt, it's always better to ask NYS Department of Labor directly or report it to be safe - they'd rather you over-report than under-report!
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Lucy Lam
Just went through this process myself earlier this year! A few additional tips that helped me: 1) Take screenshots of everything when you file - the website can be glitchy and you want proof of what you submitted 2) Create a dedicated email folder for all NYS Department of Labor correspondence so nothing gets lost 3) If you're laid off, ask your employer for a letter stating the reason for separation - this can help avoid adjudication delays 4) Don't panic if your first payment takes 2-3 weeks, that's normal processing time. The whole experience is stressful but thousands of people go through it successfully every week. You've got this!
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CosmicCommander
•Thank you so much @48259063b1fa! Taking screenshots is such a smart idea - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense given how important this stuff is. The email folder tip is great too, I'm definitely going to set that up. One more question if you don't mind - when you mention asking for a separation letter from your employer, should I do that right when I get laid off or wait until I'm actually filing the claim? I want to be prepared but don't want to seem like I'm jumping the gun.
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Rachel Clark
•@c9b7ff0e446a I'd definitely ask for the separation letter right when you get laid off - there's nothing wrong with being prepared! Your employer will have all the details fresh in their mind, and it shows you're being proactive about the transition. Plus, if your HR department is anything like mine was, they'll probably appreciate that you're taking care of the paperwork early rather than calling them weeks later when they've moved on to other things. Just frame it as "I want to make sure I have all the documentation I need for unemployment filing" - most employers understand this is standard procedure after layoffs.
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