How long after unemployment can you file - NYS Department of Labor timing questions
I've been out of work for about 6 weeks now and just realized I might have missed the boat on filing for unemployment benefits. I kept thinking I'd find something quickly so I didn't bother applying right away. Now I'm wondering if there's a cutoff for how long after you lose your job you can still file with NYS Department of Labor? I'm kicking myself for waiting this long but bills are piling up and I really need to know if I can still get benefits or if I've waited too long.
12 comments
Join the conversation
Liam Fitzgerald
You can still file! NYS Department of Labor doesn't have a strict deadline for when you have to file after becoming unemployed, but there are some important things to know. Your benefits will only be backdated for one week before you actually file your claim, so you're going to lose out on about 5 weeks of potential benefits. The sooner you file the better - don't wait any longer.
0 coins
Mei Wong
•Oh no, so I'm losing 5 weeks of money? That's like $2000+ I won't get back. Should I still file or is it not worth it at this point?
0 coins
PixelWarrior
Definitely still file immediately. Even if you lose those 5 weeks, you can still get benefits going forward. The maximum you can collect is 26 weeks total in NYS, so you'd still have 21 weeks left if you file now. Go to ny.gov and start your claim today - don't wait until Monday or you'll lose another week.
0 coins
Amara Adebayo
•This exactly. I waited 3 weeks to file and regretted it so much. Lost almost $1500 but still got months of benefits after that.
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
wait im confused about this too... i thought you had to file within like 30 days or something? my friend told me there was a deadline but maybe she was thinking of something else
0 coins
Liam Fitzgerald
•Your friend might be thinking of the deadline to appeal a determination or file for an extension. For the initial claim, there's no hard deadline, just the one-week backdate limit.
0 coins
Fatima Al-Mansour
I had a nightmare time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I filed late like you. Spent hours on hold trying to ask questions about my backdating. If you run into issues reaching someone, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent. They have a video showing how it works too: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration trying to get answers about my claim.
0 coins
Mei Wong
•Thanks, I'll check that out if I can't get through the regular way. How much does something like that cost?
0 coins
Fatima Al-Mansour
•They focus more on the service than pricing from what I saw. Worth it if you're stuck like I was though - beats sitting on hold for hours.
0 coins
Dylan Evans
The system is SO frustrating with this stuff. Like why don't they make it clear that you should file immediately?? I almost made the same mistake as you but luckily my sister told me to file right away when I got laid off.
0 coins
PixelWarrior
OP, just to be super clear on the process: file your initial claim on ny.gov, then you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Don't miss those weekly filings or you'll have more headaches. And start your job search log immediately since you'll need to show you're actively looking for work.
0 coins
Chloe Mitchell
Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY if possible! I made a similar mistake when I first lost my job and waited almost 2 months thinking I'd find something quickly. Even though I lost those weeks of backpay, I still ended up getting benefits for several months after that which really helped me get through a tough period. The application process on ny.gov is pretty straightforward, and once you get your first payment it's such a relief. Don't let the regret about waiting stop you from getting the help you need going forward. You've got this!
0 coins