How late can you file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?
I just realized I might have missed the deadline to file for unemployment. I got laid off from my retail job about 6 weeks ago and honestly thought I'd find something quick so I didn't bother applying right away. Now I'm getting worried about bills and wondering if it's too late to file with NYS Department of Labor? Does anyone know what the cutoff is? I keep seeing different information online and can't get through on the phone.
10 comments
Join the conversation
Ava Johnson
You can still file! NYS Department of Labor doesn't have a strict deadline like some other benefits. However, you can only get benefits from the date you file forward - you can't get retroactive payments for those 6 weeks you waited. The sooner you file the better. You'll need to create an account on my.ny.gov and complete the initial application.
0 coins
ElectricDreamer
•Oh thank god! So I won't get anything for the past 6 weeks but I can still get benefits going forward? That's better than nothing.
0 coins
Miguel Diaz
yeah i filed like 2 months after i got fired and still got approved, just dont get the back pay
0 coins
Zainab Ahmed
Actually there are some situations where you might be able to get retroactive benefits, but you'd need to show good cause for the delay. Being in the hospital, family emergency, that kind of thing. Just not finding a job quickly probably won't qualify. But definitely file now - the weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings from the past year so waiting longer won't help that.
0 coins
ElectricDreamer
•I don't think 'thought I'd find work faster' counts as good cause lol. But good to know for the future. Starting my application today.
0 coins
Connor Byrne
The NYS Department of Labor phone system is impossible to get through to. I spent HOURS trying to call them about my claim status. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real agent. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to talk to someone about my adjudication issues.
0 coins
Yara Abboud
•Interesting, never heard of that. Did they charge you anything for connecting you?
0 coins
Connor Byrne
•They do charge but honestly it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of listening to busy signals all day. Way less stressful than the regular phone maze.
0 coins
PixelPioneer
File ASAP! I made the same mistake thinking I'd bounce back quickly. The job market is tougher than it looks right now. At least with UI you'll have some income while you search. Just make sure you understand the job search requirements - you have to apply to a certain number of jobs each week and keep records.
0 coins
CosmicCaptain
Don't beat yourself up about waiting - lots of people think they'll find work quickly and end up in the same boat. The important thing is to file now before you lose any more potential benefits. When you apply, make sure you have your employment history for the past 18 months ready, including dates, employer info, and reason for separation. Also be prepared for the initial application to take some time - it's pretty thorough but worth doing carefully to avoid delays later.
0 coins