How soon can I file for unemployment after being laid off from my job in NY?

You can file your unemployment claim the same week you become unemployed, but not before your last day of work. Since your last day is Friday, you could technically file that day or over the weekend. The NYS Department of Labor recommends filing as soon as possible after becoming unemployed because there's a waiting week before benefits begin. Your claim will be backdated to the week you file, so don't delay.

File immediately after your last day. I made the mistake of waiting a few days when I got laid off last year and it just delayed everything unnecessarily. The NYS Department of Labor system is pretty clear - you file for the week you become unemployed. Just make sure you have all your employment information ready, including your employer's address and your supervisor's name.

I've been trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim status and it's impossible! The phone lines are always busy and when you do get through, you get disconnected. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing exactly how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to reach someone about my adjudication issue.

make sure you understand the waiting week thing because it trips people up. you don't get paid for your first week even if you file correctly. so if you file friday you still won't see money for like 2-3 weeks depending on how fast they process everything

The waiting week is standard procedure - it's basically an unpaid week that everyone has to serve. But the important thing is to get your claim started so the clock begins ticking. You'll also need to start your job search requirements immediately and keep a log of all your activities. NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least three job search contacts per week.

Just wanted to add that when you file online, make sure to create your NY.gov account ahead of time if you don't have one already. The system can get overwhelmed, especially on Mondays, so having everything set up beforehand will save you time. Also, keep a copy of your confirmation number after you submit - you'll need it for reference. I filed immediately after my layoff last month and even though the waiting week was tough financially, getting the process started right away was definitely the right move. Good luck with everything!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago when my company had layoffs. The key thing to remember is that you can file your claim starting the Sunday of the week you become unemployed. So if your last day is Friday, you can file that Sunday (or any day after). Don't file before your actual last day though - that can cause issues with your claim. Also, make sure you have your final pay stub and any separation paperwork from HR ready when you file. The system will ask for specific details about your last day and final wages. One more tip - if you're getting any severance pay, make sure to report that accurately as it can affect your benefit timing. Filing right away is definitely the smart move even with the waiting week!

I'm currently going through something similar - got notice that my department is being eliminated at the end of next month. From what I've researched and heard from others who've been through this, definitely file as soon as your employment officially ends on Friday. Don't wait! The NYS DOL website is pretty clear that you should file during the week you become unemployed. I've been preparing by gathering all my employment documents now - Social Security card, recent pay stubs, employer contact info, and exact employment dates. One thing I learned is that you'll need to know your gross wages for each quarter over the past 18 months, so having old pay stubs or tax documents handy helps speed up the process. Also, even though there's the unpaid waiting week, getting your claim in early means you'll start receiving benefits sooner rather than later. The whole system seems designed around acting quickly rather than waiting. Hope this helps and good luck with everything!

I've been through this process twice - once in 2019 and again last year - and the most important thing is to file immediately after your last day of work. Don't overthink the timing! The NYS Department of Labor system is set up to handle claims filed on the day you become unemployed. I filed on a Friday afternoon both times and had no issues. One thing I wish someone had told me the first time is to take screenshots or print out confirmation pages during the filing process - not just the final confirmation number, but each step along the way. I had a technical glitch during my second filing where the system timed out, and having those screenshots helped when I had to call for assistance. Also, make sure your phone number and email are current in the system because they'll send important updates that way. The waiting week is frustrating but it's just part of the process - think of it as giving you time to get your job search organized. You've got this!

I'm actually in a very similar situation - just found out my position is being eliminated in two weeks and this is my first time filing for unemployment too. Reading through everyone's advice here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the consensus is definitely to file immediately after your last day of work on Friday. I'm going to start preparing now by gathering all my employment documents and setting up my NY.gov account ahead of time like Miguel suggested. The tip about taking screenshots during the filing process is brilliant - I never would have thought of that. It's reassuring to know that even though there's a waiting week, getting the process started right away is the most important thing. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's making this whole situation feel much less overwhelming knowing there are people who've successfully navigated this process before!

This is such a valuable thread! I'm not in this situation myself right now, but I wanted to add something that might help others who find this post later. If you're filing online and run into any technical issues or have questions about your specific situation, the NYS Department of Labor also has local career centers throughout the state where you can get in-person help with your unemployment claim. Sometimes having someone walk you through the process face-to-face can be really helpful, especially if you're not comfortable with online forms or have a complicated employment history. You can find your nearest location on the DOL website. They can also help with job search resources and connecting you with training programs if you're interested in learning new skills while you're between jobs. Just another option to keep in mind alongside filing online - sometimes the personal touch makes all the difference when you're dealing with something this stressful!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying about filing immediately after your last day - don't delay! I was in your exact situation about 6 months ago and made the mistake of overthinking the timing. I waited until Monday to file thinking it would be "cleaner" to start fresh on a new week, but that just cost me unnecessary stress and delayed my benefits by a few days. The system is designed for you to file as soon as you're unemployed, period. One thing that really helped me was calling my HR department before my last day to ask exactly what paperwork they'd be providing and when - some companies send separation documents by mail which can take a few days, but you don't need to wait for those to file your claim. You can always update your claim later with additional documentation. The most important thing is getting that initial claim submitted so your benefit year starts. Good luck, and remember that thousands of people go through this process successfully every year - you've got this!