How many unemployment claims can you file with NYS Department of Labor in one year?
I'm really confused about the rules for filing multiple unemployment claims. I had a job from January to March, then got laid off and filed for UI benefits. Found another job in May but that only lasted until August when they had budget cuts. Now I'm unemployed again and wondering if I can file another claim with NYS Department of Labor or if there's some kind of limit? My friend said you can only file once per year but that doesn't sound right to me. Anyone know the actual rules about how many times you can apply for unemployment benefits?
12 comments
Join the conversation
Aaliyah Reed
There's no annual limit on how many unemployment claims you can file with NYS Department of Labor. What matters is whether you have sufficient work history and wages in your base period for each new claim. Since you worked between your claims, you should be able to file a new initial claim. Just make sure you meet the minimum earnings requirements for the new benefit year.
0 coins
Daniel Rogers
•That's a relief! Do I need to wait a certain amount of time between claims or can I file right away?
0 coins
Ella Russell
your friend is wrong about the once per year thing, i filed 3 different claims last year when i kept getting temp jobs that ended. each time they calculated my benefits based on my recent work history
0 coins
Mohammed Khan
The key thing to understand is the difference between a new initial claim and reopening an existing claim. If your previous claim expired or you exhausted all benefits, you'll file a new initial claim. If your claim is still active within the benefit year, you might just reopen it. You can check your claim status on the my.ny.gov website to see which situation applies to you.
0 coins
Gavin King
•This is so confusing! How do you know if your claim expired? I thought once you found a job your claim automatically ended.
0 coins
Mohammed Khan
•Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first filed, regardless of whether you're working. If you're still within that year and haven't used all your benefits, you can reopen. After the year ends, you need a new claim.
0 coins
Nathan Kim
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact situation last month. Kept getting busy signals and their online chat was always unavailable. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Turned out I could file a new claim right away since my benefit year had ended.
0 coins
Eleanor Foster
•Never heard of that service before but might be worth trying since getting through to NYS Department of Labor is such a nightmare
0 coins
Lucas Turner
The system is SO broken!! I've filed like 5 claims in the past 2 years because employers keep hiring people temporarily then laying them off when contracts end. Each time NYS Department of Labor acts like it's some huge surprise that people need benefits multiple times. They should make the process easier for people in unstable job markets!
0 coins
Kai Rivera
Just remember you have to meet the work requirements each time - I think it's something like 2 quarters of work with minimum earnings. Don't quote me on the exact numbers though.
0 coins
Keisha Robinson
You're absolutely right to question your friend's advice! There's definitely no "once per year" limit on filing unemployment claims with NYS DOL. The main requirements are having enough qualifying wages and work history in your base period for each new claim. Since you worked between your unemployment periods, you should be eligible to file again. Just make sure to gather all your employment documentation from your most recent job before you apply. The process can be tedious but you have every right to file multiple claims if you meet the eligibility requirements each time.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Thanks for clearing that up! It's good to know there's no arbitrary yearly limit. I was really worried I might have to wait until next year to file again. Do you happen to know roughly how long the application process takes once you submit everything? My savings are running pretty low and I'm hoping to get benefits flowing soon.
0 coins