How long after being fired can I file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor?

You should file as soon as possible! There's no waiting period required and your benefit year starts the week you file, not when you were terminated. The sooner you file with NYS Department of Labor, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved. Don't worry about gathering documentation first - you can always provide additional info later during the adjudication process if needed.

File immediately on my.ny.gov. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your earnings history, and there's a one-week waiting period before you receive your first payment anyway. Even if your employer contests, you should still file because the adjudication process can take weeks and you want to get in the queue as early as possible.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! i got fired last month and still haven't heard anything back from my claim... they keep saying its under review or whatever that means

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my termination claim. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me get answers about my adjudication status when I couldn't get through on my own.

Just make sure you have all your employment info ready - dates of employment, reason for separation, employer contact info. The online application is pretty straightforward but having everything organized helps avoid delays.

@Declan Ramirez definitely file today! I was in a similar situation last year and made the mistake of waiting "to get my head together" first. You're basically losing potential benefit weeks by waiting. The NY system is pretty user-friendly once you get started - just go to my.ny.gov and create your account. Even if your employer contests it, that's a separate process that happens after you file. The key thing is getting your claim date established as soon as possible. Good luck!

Absolutely file today! Don't let your employer's threat to contest discourage you - that's a common intimidation tactic. The contest process is separate from your initial filing and can take weeks to resolve. In the meantime, you could be missing out on benefits you're entitled to. I filed within 24 hours of my termination and even though my employer contested, I still received benefits during the review period. The worst thing that can happen is they deny your claim, but if you don't file at all, you're guaranteed to get nothing. The NY DOL website walks you through everything step by step, so don't stress about documentation - you can always upload additional proof later if they request it during adjudication.

File immediately, don't wait! I learned this the hard way when I was terminated a few months ago. The NYS DOL system actually encourages you to file as soon as possible after job separation - there's even a notice on their website saying delays in filing can result in loss of benefits. Your employer contesting is actually pretty common and doesn't mean you won't get approved. During my adjudication process, they asked for my side of the story and I was able to provide documentation that supported my case. The key is getting your claim established with the earliest possible effective date. You can always supplement with additional documentation later through your online account if the adjudicator requests it.

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY! I made the mistake of waiting 10 days after my termination because I thought I needed to "process" what happened first. Those 10 days were basically wasted benefit time that I can never get back. The NYS system is actually pretty straightforward once you start - you'll need your SSN, employment history for the past 18 months, and basic info about why you were terminated. Don't overthink the documentation part - the initial application is just to get you in the system. If they need more details during adjudication, they'll ask for it. Your employer threatening to contest is totally normal and honestly just shows they're trying to discourage you from filing. File now, worry about their contest later!