How long after being laid off can I file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?
Got laid off from my manufacturing job yesterday due to company downsizing. I'm still in shock honestly and trying to figure out next steps. When should I file my unemployment claim? Is there a waiting period or should I do it right away? I've never been unemployed before so I have no idea about the timing. Also worried that if I wait too long I might miss some deadline. Any advice on when to start the process with NYS Department of Labor?
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Isabella Tucker
File immediately! There's no waiting period to file your initial claim with NYS Department of Labor. You can file the same day you lose your job or the next business day. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed. You'll need your last employer's info, your social security number, and details about your separation. Don't delay because your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you lost your job.
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Emma Swift
•Thank you! I was worried I had to wait a week or something. Going to file online tonight then.
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Jayden Hill
Yeah definitely file asap. I made the mistake of waiting 2 weeks thinking I needed to job search first and basically lost 2 weeks of benefits. NYS Department of Labor backdates to when you file your claim, not when you actually became unemployed.
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Millie Long
You can file your unemployment claim immediately after your last day of work. NYS Department of Labor actually recommends filing as soon as possible because there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and the sooner you file, the sooner that waiting period begins. Don't wait - file today if you can.
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Santiago Diaz
•Thanks! I didn't know about the waiting period. Should I file online or call them?
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LordCommander
Just to add - you can file online through my.ny.gov 24/7. The system will ask you about your last day of work and why you were separated. Since you were laid off due to downsizing, that should be pretty straightforward. Make sure you have your employer's full business name and address handy when you file.
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Lucy Lam
•What if you can't get through on the website? I've been trying to file for 3 days and it keeps timing out during the application.
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LordCommander
•Try filing early morning or late evening when there's less traffic. If you're still having issues, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to a real NYS Department of Labor agent by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works.
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Aidan Hudson
wait so theres no waiting week anymore? I thought you had to wait a week before getting benefits
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KaiEsmeralda
File online at my.ny.gov - it's much faster than calling. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's information. The system will walk you through everything. Once you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims to keep getting benefits.
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Debra Bai
•yeah the online system is pretty straightforward, took me like 20 minutes when i got laid off last year
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Isabella Tucker
The waiting week was eliminated in New York. You can receive benefits starting from your first week of unemployment as long as your claim is approved and you meet all the requirements.
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Zoe Wang
Sorry about the layoff. Manufacturing has been really tough lately. At least unemployment in NY is pretty decent compared to other places. File today if you can!
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Gabriel Freeman
Wait, I thought you had to wait a week after getting laid off? I'm so confused about all these rules. My friend told me if you file too early they reject your claim.
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Millie Long
•Your friend might be thinking of the waiting week, which is built into the system. You file immediately, but your first payable week is actually your second week of unemployment. The earlier you file, the better.
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Laura Lopez
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to check on my claim status after filing. Kept getting busy signals and hung up on. Eventually found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Santiago Diaz
•That's good to know for later if I run into issues. Hopefully the online filing goes smoothly for now.
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Victoria Brown
Just to add - make sure you have your last employer's exact business name and address when you file. NYS Department of Labor is really picky about that stuff and if you get it wrong it can delay your claim processing.
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