How to apply for furlough unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - need guidance
My company just put me on unpaid furlough starting next week and I'm trying to figure out how to apply for furlough unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I've never filed for UI before and honestly don't know where to start. Do I file immediately when the furlough starts or wait? My manager said they expect to bring everyone back in 6-8 weeks but there's no guarantee. I'm worried about missing deadlines or filing wrong since I'm technically still employed. Has anyone been through this process? What documents do I need and how long does it usually take to get approved?
11 comments
Join the conversation
Sophia Carson
You should file your claim as soon as your furlough begins - don't wait! With NYS Department of Labor, you can file for partial unemployment even if you're still technically employed but not working. You'll need your employer's information, your Social Security number, and details about your last day of work. The key thing is that furloughed workers are eligible for full unemployment benefits since you're earning zero wages during the furlough period.
0 coins
Ana Erdoğan
AuthorThanks! Should I mention in the application that it's a furlough situation specifically, or just say I'm not working?
0 coins
Elijah Knight
File online at labor.ny.gov as soon as possible. When you file, be honest about your situation - select that you're temporarily laid off or furloughed. NYS Department of Labor has specific options for furlough situations now. You'll need to file weekly claims even during furlough to keep receiving benefits. Make sure you're available and able to work other jobs during this time since that's a requirement.
0 coins
Brooklyn Foley
Wait, can you actually take other work while on furlough? I thought that might cause issues with your original employer.
0 coins
Elijah Knight
You can work other jobs but you have to report any earnings on your weekly claim. If you earn too much, it might reduce your UI benefits for that week.
0 coins
Jay Lincoln
ugh the NYS Department of Labor system is such a pain to navigate!! I got furloughed last year and it took FOREVER to get through on the phone to ask questions. The website kept crashing when I tried to file my weekly claims. Just be prepared for technical difficulties and long wait times if you need to call them.
0 coins
Jessica Suarez
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor agents too until someone mentioned Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual person at NYS Department of Labor to sort out my furlough claim issues. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
0 coins
Marcus Williams
same boat here... my restaurant furloughed all servers 2 weeks ago and i still havent heard anything back about my claim. says its under review or something? how long does this usually take???
0 coins
Sophia Carson
If your claim is under review, it might be in adjudication. This can happen with furlough cases if NYS Department of Labor needs to verify your employment status with your employer. Usually takes 2-4 weeks but you should keep filing your weekly claims during this time.
0 coins
Lily Young
Just wanted to add that when I was furloughed from my office job, I had to provide documentation proving the furlough wasn't voluntary. NYS Department of Labor required a letter from my employer stating it was due to business conditions beyond my control. Might want to ask HR for something like that.
0 coins
Grace Patel
I went through this exact situation last month when my company furloughed our entire department. Here's what I learned: File your claim immediately on labor.ny.gov - don't wait even a day because there's a waiting period anyway. When filling out the application, there's actually a specific dropdown option for "temporarily laid off/furlough" so you don't have to guess. You'll need your employer's full business name, address, and your supervisor's contact info. The process took about 10 days for me to get my first payment, but I had to call twice to clarify that furlough counts as zero hours worked (not reduced hours). Also keep any emails or documentation from your employer about the furlough - NYS Department of Labor might ask for proof later. Good luck!
0 coins