How long can u wait to file unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - missed deadline?
So I got laid off from my construction job about 6 weeks ago and didn't file for unemployment right away because I thought I'd find something quick. Now I'm really struggling to pay rent and bills. How long can you actually wait to file with NYS Department of Labor? Did I mess up by waiting this long? Can I still get benefits for the weeks I missed or am I screwed?
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Mikayla Davison
You can file anytime but there's no back pay for the weeks before you actually file your claim. NYS Department of Labor only pays from your filing date forward, not retroactively. You should definitely file ASAP though - the sooner you file, the sooner your weekly benefits can start.
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Max Reyes
•Damn so I basically lost 6 weeks of money? That's like $2000+ I could have had. This sucks.
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Adrian Connor
File immediately on the NYS Department of Labor website. There's no deadline for filing but like others said, you won't get paid for weeks before you file. The process takes about 1-2 weeks to get your first payment once approved. Make sure you have all your employment info ready - last employer details, wages, reason for separation.
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Max Reyes
•Thanks, do I need pay stubs or will they get that info from my employer?
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Adrian Connor
•NYS Department of Labor gets wage info from employers directly, but having your pay stubs helps verify everything matches up during the application.
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Aisha Jackson
ugh same thing happened to me last year, waited like a month thinking id get hired somewhere fast. biggest mistake ever lost so much money
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Ryder Everingham
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I was trying to check my claim status after filing. Kept getting busy signals and getting hung up on. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach an agent to get my questions answered. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you run into issues getting through to them.
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Lilly Curtis
•Never heard of that but might be useful. The NYS Department of Labor phone system is absolutely terrible.
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Leo Simmons
The system is so messed up. They should automatically start benefits when you get laid off instead of making people jump through all these hoops. How many people don't even know they can file?
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Mikayla Davison
•I get the frustration but the system requires you to actively certify you're looking for work each week. That's why filing is required - it starts your job search obligations too.
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Lindsey Fry
just file now better late than never!! dont beat yourself up about it
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Carmen Flores
Hey Max, I've been in a similar situation and I know it's frustrating to realize you missed out on those weeks of benefits. Just want to add that when you do file, make sure you're completely honest about your separation date and reason for leaving. NYS Department of Labor will verify everything with your employer anyway, and any discrepancies can delay or complicate your claim. Also, once you start receiving benefits, don't forget you have to certify every week that you're actively looking for work - missing those weekly certifications can stop your payments. The construction industry can be tough with seasonal layoffs, so definitely get that claim filed today if you can.
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