How long does it take to claim unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I just lost my job yesterday and need to know how long the whole process takes from filing my initial claim to actually receiving my first unemployment payment. I've heard different things from friends - some say it's quick, others say it takes forever. Can someone break down the timeline for me? I'm really stressed about covering my bills next month and need to know what to expect with NYS Department of Labor.
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Mateo Warren
The initial filing process itself only takes about 30-45 minutes online through the NYS Department of Labor website. After you submit your application, you'll typically get a determination letter within 1-2 weeks if there are no complications. If your claim is straightforward with no issues, you could see your first payment about 2-3 weeks after filing. However, if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take 4-6 weeks or longer.
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Lydia Bailey
•What kinds of things cause adjudication? I was laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that's straightforward enough.
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Sofia Price
took me 6 weeks to get my first payment last year even though i was laid off too. no explanation why it took so long, just kept saying 'pending' on my account
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Alice Coleman
•Same here! The waiting is the worst part. Did you ever find out why it was delayed for so long?
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Owen Jenkins
File your claim as soon as possible - don't wait. You can file online 24/7 through the my.ny.gov portal. Make sure you have all your employment information ready including your last employer's details, your Social Security number, and dates of employment. The sooner you file, the sooner the clock starts ticking on your claim processing.
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Lydia Bailey
•Thanks! I'll file tonight. Do I need to wait until my last day of work or can I file immediately after being notified of the layoff?
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Owen Jenkins
•You can file your claim the week you become unemployed or the week after. Don't file before your employment actually ends though.
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Lilah Brooks
The NYS Department of Labor system is SO frustrating! I've been trying to get through to someone for weeks about my claim status and can never reach a human. The automated system just keeps giving me the runaround. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?
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Jackson Carter
•I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr. They help you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents by phone - you can check it out at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was able to get my claim status updated within a few days of using their service.
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Kolton Murphy
Just want to add that you need to start filing your weekly claims right away too, even while your initial claim is still processing. Don't skip any weeks or you might lose benefits for those weeks.
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