How hard is it to file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - first time applicant
I just got laid off from my retail job after 2 years and everyone keeps telling me to file for unemployment but I'm honestly intimidated by the whole process. How hard is it to file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor? I've never done this before and I'm worried I'll mess something up. Do I need a bunch of paperwork ready or can I just go online and fill it out? Also how long does it usually take to get approved? I'm really stressed about paying rent next month.
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Ryder Everingham
It's actually not as complicated as it seems! You can file online at my.ny.gov and the NYS Department of Labor walks you through each step. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The hardest part is just gathering that employment info beforehand. Most people get approved within 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with their claim.
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Aisha Jackson
•Thanks! Do I need pay stubs or will they verify my wages another way? I don't have all my old pay stubs saved.
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Lilly Curtis
honestly the online system is pretty straightforward, took me maybe 30 minutes to complete everything when i filed last year. dont stress about the pay stubs - they get your wage info directly from employers. just make sure you have accurate dates and addresses for your jobs
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Leo Simmons
The initial filing is the easy part. What gets tricky is the weekly claims you have to file every week to keep getting benefits. You have to certify that you're looking for work and report any income. NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search activities per week, so start keeping a log of where you apply. Also be prepared for potential adjudication if there are any questions about why you were laid off.
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Aisha Jackson
•What's adjudication? That sounds scary.
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Leo Simmons
•It's just when they need to verify information about your separation from work. If your employer contests the claim or if there are questions about eligibility, they review it manually. Can add a few weeks to the process but usually works out fine for legitimate layoffs.
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Lindsey Fry
I was in your exact situation 6 months ago - first time filing, totally overwhelmed. The application itself took me about 45 minutes because I kept double-checking everything. But here's what I wish someone had told me: after you file, you might not hear anything for weeks and the phone lines are impossible. I spent hours trying to call NYS Department of Labor to check my status. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me through to a real person at NYS Department of Labor in like 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved my sanity when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
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Saleem Vaziri
•Never heard of that service before, is it legit? I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for 2 weeks about my pending claim.
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Lindsey Fry
•Yeah it's totally legitimate, they just help you get through the phone queue. I was skeptical at first too but it actually worked and I got my issue resolved the same day.
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Kayla Morgan
The NYS Department of Labor system has gotten SO much better since the pandemic mess. Back then it was a nightmare but now the online portal is actually user-friendly. My only advice is don't wait - file as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start anyway. And definitely start documenting your job search activities right away even if you haven't been approved yet.
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James Maki
Just be really careful about answering the questions accurately, especially about why you're unemployed. If you put anything that suggests you quit or were fired for misconduct, it can delay or deny your claim. Since you said you were laid off, you should be fine, but double-check that your employer coded it correctly as a layoff and not a termination.
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