How long does it take to sign up for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor?
I just got laid off yesterday and need to apply for unemployment benefits ASAP. I'm trying to figure out how long the actual application process takes on the NYS Department of Labor website. Is it something I can complete in one sitting or does it take multiple steps over several days? Also wondering how soon after I submit everything I'll start getting payments. Really stressed about bills coming up and want to make sure I don't miss any deadlines.
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Micah Trail
The initial application on my.ny.gov usually takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your documents ready. You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The system will ask for your last employer's information in detail so have that handy too.
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Kristin Frank
•Thanks! Do I need pay stubs or just the basic employer info? I have my last few pay stubs but not sure if I need to upload them during the application.
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Nia Watson
took me like an hour because the website kept timing out lol but once its submitted you should get a confirmation email pretty quick
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Alberto Souchard
You can complete the entire application in one session, but here's what slows people down - make sure you have accurate wage information for ALL employers in the past 18 months, not just your most recent job. The NYS Department of Labor will verify this against their records and any discrepancies can delay your claim approval. After you submit, you'll typically get your monetary determination within 2-3 business days showing your weekly benefit amount.
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Kristin Frank
•What if I had a part-time job along with my main job? Do I need to report both employers even if the part-time was only a few hours per week?
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Alberto Souchard
•Yes, report ALL employment during the base period. Even small part-time jobs matter because they contribute to your total wages used to calculate your benefit amount.
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Katherine Shultz
I applied two weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment! The website says my claim is pending adjudication but there's no explanation what that means or how long it takes. This whole process is so confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with losing your job.
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Marcus Marsh
•If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor about your adjudication, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of being on hold and getting disconnected.
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Hailey O'Leary
Just want to add that even after you submit your application, you MUST file your first weekly claim within the same week or you'll lose that week's benefits. Don't wait for approval - start filing weekly claims immediately after your application is submitted.
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Cedric Chung
honestly the nys department of labor system is so outdated, mine crashed 3 times during application but i just kept starting over until it went through
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