How long do I have to file unemployment after losing my job in New York?

You should file as soon as possible, but there's no strict deadline like 'within 7 days' or anything. The key thing is that your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you lost your job. So if you wait 3 weeks to file, you're potentially losing 3 weeks of benefits. NYS Department of Labor won't backdate payments to before you filed your initial claim. Being laid off vs fired definitely matters - layoffs are usually approved quickly while terminations for cause can trigger adjudication reviews.

File immediately on ny.gov - the sooner the better. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license info, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates worked, and reason for separation. For a layoff you shouldn't need special paperwork from your employer, but keep any termination letter or email they gave you just in case NYS Department of Labor asks for documentation during the adjudication process.

I waited almost a month to file after I lost my job last year because I thought I'd find something quickly. Biggest mistake ever - lost out on like $1,200 in benefits that I could never get back. Even if you think you'll find work fast, file anyway. You can always stop claiming if you get hired, but you can't go backwards and claim weeks you didn't file for.

The NYS Department of Labor phone system is impossible to get through to if you have questions about filing. I spent weeks trying to reach someone when I had issues with my claim. If you really need to talk to an agent about your specific situation, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to NYS Department of Labor representatives. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration when my claim got stuck in adjudication.

just file now!! dont wait around thinking about it the system takes forever anyway so the sooner you start the better

As someone who just went through this process in NY, I can confirm what others are saying - file immediately! I was laid off in January and filed the same day online. The application took about 30 minutes and I had my first payment within 2 weeks. The key thing about layoffs vs terminations is that layoffs are generally considered "no fault" separations, so your claim should process smoothly. Just make sure when you fill out the application that you select "lack of work" or "company downsizing" as your reason for separation. Keep any documentation from your employer about the layoff just in case, but for a straightforward RIF situation you shouldn't have issues. The online system at ny.gov walks you through everything step by step.

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you have your bank account information ready when you file. NYS offers direct deposit which gets you paid faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. Also, even though you were laid off due to downsizing, your employer might still contest the claim to try to keep their unemployment insurance rates low. Don't panic if this happens - just respond to any requests for information from NYS Department of Labor promptly and honestly. The adjudication process can add a few weeks to getting your benefits, but as long as you were truly laid off and didn't quit or get fired for misconduct, you should ultimately be approved. Document everything and keep records of your job search activities since you'll need to report them when you certify for benefits each week.

I went through a similar situation last fall when my manufacturing job got eliminated. Here's what I learned: file your claim TODAY if possible - don't wait until Monday. The NY.gov unemployment portal is available 24/7 and every day you delay is potentially money lost since they don't backdate to your separation date. For a layoff due to company downsizing, you should have a smooth approval process, but still upload any documentation you have (layoff notice, final paystub, etc.) to avoid delays. One tip that saved me time - create your NY.gov account first before starting the actual unemployment application, as the system can timeout if you're entering info for too long. Also set up text/email alerts so you don't miss important deadlines for weekly certifications. Even though it feels overwhelming right after losing your job, getting this filed quickly will give you one less thing to stress about while you focus on your job search.

I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my retail job two days ago due to store closures. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I was hesitating to file because I thought maybe I'd find something quickly, but after seeing what @5d89d93fd609 said about losing $1,200 by waiting, I'm definitely not making that mistake. Going to file my claim tonight. One question though - for those who filed online, how long did the actual application process take? I want to make sure I have enough time to complete it without rushing through important sections. Also reassuring to hear that layoffs typically get approved without issues since mine was clearly due to business closure, not performance.

I'm in a very similar position - just lost my warehouse job yesterday too due to company restructuring. This thread has been a lifesaver! I was planning to wait until Monday to file but clearly that would be a mistake. The point about benefit years starting when you file rather than when you lose your job is something I hadn't considered. Going to get my NY.gov account set up tonight and file first thing tomorrow morning. It's good to know that layoffs due to downsizing are typically straightforward approvals - I was worried about potential delays or complications. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the detailed timeline info about the waiting week and payment processing. This is exactly the kind of real-world advice you need when navigating unemployment for the first time.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago when my logistics company did mass layoffs. The advice here is spot on - file immediately! I made the mistake of waiting 5 days thinking I needed to "process" what happened first, and I still regret those lost benefit days. The NY.gov system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. One thing I'd add that really helped me: before you start the application, write down your employment history for the last 18 months on a piece of paper first (company names, addresses, start/end dates, supervisors, phone numbers). Having it all organized made the online form much easier to complete without having to stop and look things up. Your layoff situation sounds very clear-cut, so you shouldn't have any issues with approval. The company downsizing/reduction in force reason is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for. Just be consistent in how you describe the separation throughout the process.

Filing ASAP is absolutely critical! I learned this the hard way when I was laid off from my construction job last year. I waited almost 2 weeks because I was embarrassed and thought I'd bounce back quickly - ended up costing me nearly $800 in benefits I could never recover. The NY system doesn't backdate to your separation date, only to when you actually file your initial claim. For a legitimate layoff like yours due to company downsizing, approval should be straightforward. Just make sure you select "lack of work" or "layoff" as your separation reason, not "quit" or anything that could be misinterpreted. The online application at ny.gov is available 24/7, so don't wait for business hours. Get your Social Security number, driver's license, and last 18 months of employment info ready, then file tonight if possible. Even if you think you'll find work soon, you can always stop claiming benefits if you get hired, but you can't go back and claim weeks you didn't file for. Don't make my mistake!

As someone who works in HR and has processed layoffs in NY, I want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY! Don't wait until Monday or next week. The timing is crucial because your benefit year literally starts from the day you file your initial claim, not from when you lost your job. I've seen too many people lose out on weeks of benefits because they thought they had more time or wanted to "think about it first." Your situation sounds like a textbook layoff case - company downsizing/reduction in force is exactly what unemployment insurance was designed to cover. When you file online at ny.gov, make sure to select "lack of work" or "company downsizing" as your separation reason. Keep that email or notice from your employer about the layoffs just in case, but for a legitimate RIF you shouldn't need it immediately. The application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have your info ready (SSN, employment history for past 18 months, etc.). File tonight if possible - the system is available 24/7 and every day matters!