How soon to file for unemployment - NYS Department of Labor timing question
Lost my job yesterday and wondering how soon I should file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor. My manager said I was being laid off effective immediately due to budget cuts. Should I file right away or wait a few days? I heard there might be a waiting period but I'm not sure how that works. Really need to get this process started because I have rent due next week and bills piling up. Any advice on the timing would be appreciated!
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Andrew Pinnock
File immediately! There's no benefit to waiting and NYS Department of Labor processes your claim from the date you file, not from when you lost your job. The sooner you get your application in, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. You can file online through my.ny.gov 24/7.
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Ella Lewis
•Thanks! I'll get on my.ny.gov tonight and file. Do I need any specific documents ready before I start?
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Brianna Schmidt
Definitely file ASAP. I made the mistake of waiting a week when I got laid off last year and basically lost a week of benefits. NYS Department of Labor has a one-week waiting period anyway, so any delay on your part just extends how long before you see money. You'll need your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's information.
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Alexis Renard
•Wait, I thought they got rid of the waiting period during COVID? Is that back now?
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Brianna Schmidt
•The waiting period is back as of 2023. It's the first week after you file where you don't get paid, but you still have to certify for that week.
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Camila Jordan
ugh why is everything with nys department of labor so confusing!! i was laid off 3 days ago and still haven't filed because the website keeps crashing when i try to create an account. anyone else having problems with my.ny.gov lately??
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Andrew Pinnock
•Try using a different browser or clearing your cache. The site works better on Chrome than Internet Explorer in my experience. If you keep having issues, you can call the NYS Department of Labor at 888-581-5812, though expect long wait times.
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Tyler Lefleur
•If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me connect with an agent when I couldn't get through on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.
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Madeline Blaze
Same boat here, got terminated Monday for 'performance issues' even though I think it was really because they're downsizing. Should I mention the real reason when I file or just go with what they put on the termination paperwork?
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Andrew Pinnock
•Be honest about the circumstances but don't overthink it. If you believe you were laid off due to downsizing rather than performance, you can explain that in your application. NYS Department of Labor will contact your employer to verify the reason for separation anyway.
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Max Knight
just wanted to say thanks for asking this question because i was wondering the same thing! filing mine tonight too
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