How long do I have to file for unemployment after being fired from my job in NY?
Got terminated last Friday and I'm trying to figure out the timeline for filing my unemployment claim. My former employer said something about there being a deadline but I can't remember exactly what they said. I know I should file ASAP but I'm dealing with some personal stuff right now and want to know if I have a few days or if this is something I need to do immediately. Does anyone know what the actual deadline is for filing after termination? Also worried about whether being fired (not laid off) affects my eligibility at all.
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Oscar O'Neil
You should file as soon as possible, ideally within the first week after losing your job. While there's no strict legal deadline that makes you completely ineligible, every week you delay is a week of potential benefits you're losing. NYS Department of Labor processes claims from the Sunday of the week you file, so if you wait too long you're essentially giving up money. Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you - it depends on the reason for termination.
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LongPeri
•Thanks for the info! Do you know if I can backdate my claim if I file this week instead of last week?
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Sara Hellquiem
File immediately! I made the mistake of waiting two weeks after I got fired thinking I needed to 'get my head together' first. You can't backdate unemployment claims in NY - you lose those weeks permanently. The online application on my.ny.gov takes maybe 30 minutes max. Even if you're dealing with other stuff, just get the initial claim filed and worry about the weekly certifications later.
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Charlee Coleman
•wait i thought you could backdate claims? i've been putting off filing for like 3 weeks now...
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Sara Hellquiem
•No, you definitely cannot backdate in NY. You need to file ASAP if you want any benefits at all for those weeks.
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Liv Park
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when I needed to ask questions about my claim timing. The phone lines are always busy and the online chat is useless. If you need to actually talk to someone about your specific situation, I recently found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps you get through to actual NYS Department of Labor agents. 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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Leeann Blackstein
•How much does something like that cost though? Seems like it might be expensive for someone who just lost their job.
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Liv Park
•It's really affordable compared to the weeks of benefits you might lose by not filing on time. Way cheaper than missing out on unemployment payments.
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Ryder Greene
ugh the whole system is set up to screw people over. they dont tell you about these deadlines clearly and then act like its your fault when you miss benefits. i waited 10 days after getting canned and lost 2 weeks of payments. make sure you file your weekly claims too even if your initial claim is still pending!!!
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Carmella Fromis
•This exactly! The system is designed to deny benefits through confusion and delays.
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Theodore Nelson
Just to add - being fired vs laid off doesn't matter as much as people think. What matters is whether you were fired 'for cause' like stealing or not showing up vs being fired for performance issues or company restructuring. Most terminations still qualify for UI benefits unless there was serious misconduct involved.
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