How long before you can claim unemployment benefits in NY - timing question
I just got laid off from my retail job yesterday and I'm wondering how long I need to wait before I can file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor? My manager said something about waiting periods but I'm not sure if that's accurate. I've never filed for UI before and I'm really stressed about paying my rent next month. Does anyone know if there's a specific waiting period or can I apply right away? Also do I need to wait until I get my final paycheck or can I start the process now?
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Andre Laurent
You can file your unemployment claim immediately - there's no waiting period to submit your application to NYS Department of Labor. In fact, you should file as soon as possible because your claim effective date is based on when you file, not when you lost your job. You don't need to wait for your final paycheck either. The sooner you get your claim in, the better.
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Carmen Diaz
•Oh wow thank you! I thought there was some kind of mandatory waiting period. Should I file online through the my.ny.gov website?
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Emily Jackson
yeah file right away but just so you know there IS a waiting week - you won't get paid for your first week even if you're approved. so if you file this week you won't see money for like 2-3 weeks minimum
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Liam Mendez
•Actually, New York eliminated the waiting week back in 2020. You can get paid for your first week of unemployment if you're eligible. The delay people experience now is usually just processing time, not a mandatory waiting period.
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Sophia Nguyen
File immediately! I made the mistake of waiting two weeks thinking I needed to 'settle things' with my employer first and I basically lost two weeks of benefits. NYS Department of Labor backdate is possible but it's a hassle and not guaranteed.
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Carmen Diaz
•Good to know, definitely don't want to lose any benefits. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?
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Sophia Nguyen
•Mine took about 3 weeks because it went into adjudication - they had to verify my employment history. But if your case is straightforward it could be faster.
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Jacob Smithson
The NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating to deal with. I've been trying to get through on the phone for weeks about my claim status and can never reach anyone. If you need to talk to an actual person, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get connected to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
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Isabella Brown
•Never heard of that service before but honestly if it gets you through to NYS Department of Labor faster it might be worth it. The phone system is absolutely terrible.
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Maya Patel
Just file online ASAP and make sure you have your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's information ready. The online application is pretty straightforward and you can save your progress if you need to step away.
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