How long after termination can I apply for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits?
I got terminated from my job at a retail store yesterday (Tuesday) and I'm wondering when I should file my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor. I've heard different things from people - some say file immediately, others say wait a week. I don't want to mess anything up or delay my benefits. My last day of work was Monday and they told me Tuesday morning that they were letting me go due to budget cuts. Should I apply today or wait? Also, do I need any specific paperwork from my employer before I can file? This is my first time dealing with unemployment so I'm not sure about the process.
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Shelby Bauman
You should file your claim as soon as possible! NYS Department of Labor allows you to file immediately after your last day of work. There's actually no waiting period to file the initial claim. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the past 18 months. Don't wait - file today if you can.
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Josef Tearle
•Thank you! I wasn't sure if I needed to wait. Do I need anything from my employer like a termination letter or can I file without it?
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Shelby Bauman
•You don't need anything from your employer to file initially. NYS Department of Labor will contact them directly to verify your employment and reason for separation. However, if you have any documentation about your termination, keep it handy in case there are questions later.
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Quinn Herbert
yeah file asap, i waited like 3 days after getting fired and regretted it because it just delayed everything
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Salim Nasir
•Same here, I thought there was some kind of waiting period but there isn't. Lost out on a few days of potential benefits because I was being cautious.
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Hazel Garcia
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when I needed to check on my claim status after filing. The phone lines are always busy and it's really frustrating when you need answers. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was a lifesaver when I was dealing with adjudication issues on my claim.
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Josef Tearle
•Good to know about that service! Hopefully I won't need it but I'll keep it in mind if I can't get through to anyone.
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Laila Fury
The whole system is just terrible honestly. I filed right away when I got laid off and STILL had to wait weeks for my first payment because they had to do some kind of investigation. Make sure you keep track of everything because they'll ask you questions later that you won't remember. The NYS Department of Labor website crashes half the time too.
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Geoff Richards
•The adjudication process can take time, especially if there are any questions about the reason for termination. But filing immediately is still the right move because your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you're approved.
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Simon White
File now! I made the mistake of thinking I had to wait until my final paycheck cleared or something. Turns out that doesn't matter at all for filing your initial claim.
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Ryder Everingham
Just to add to what everyone else is saying - definitely file today! I went through this process last year and the key thing to remember is that you can't backdate your claim in NY, so every day you wait is potentially a day of benefits you're missing out on. The online application on the NYS DOL website is pretty straightforward and takes about 30-45 minutes. Make sure you have your Social Security card, ID, and details about your employment history for the past 18 months ready. Also, even though you were terminated due to budget cuts (which sounds like it should qualify you), be prepared that they might still need to verify the circumstances with your employer, which can add some processing time. Good luck!
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