How to apply for unemployment - NYS Department of Labor application process help needed
I just got laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant in Buffalo and need to file for unemployment benefits. I've never done this before and I'm really confused about the whole process. I know I need to go through NYS Department of Labor but I'm not sure where to start or what information I need to have ready. Can someone walk me through the steps? I heard there's an online application but I want to make sure I don't mess anything up since I really need these benefits to pay my bills while I look for another job.
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Natasha Orlova
You'll need to file your initial claim through the NYS Department of Labor website at labor.ny.gov. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates of employment. You'll also need your last employer's contact information and the reason you're no longer working there. The application takes about 30-45 minutes to complete online.
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Oliver Schulz
•Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or W-2 forms when I apply? And how soon should I file after being laid off?
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Javier Cruz
File as soon as possible after your last day of work - there's a waiting week anyway so don't delay. You don't need pay stubs for the initial application but have them handy in case NYS Department of Labor requests them later during adjudication. Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed or you'll lose benefits for those weeks.
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Emma Wilson
•This is really important - I made the mistake of not filing weekly claims while waiting for my initial claim to be approved and lost 3 weeks of benefits that I couldn't get back.
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Malik Thomas
ugh the NYS Department of Labor website is such a pain to navigate and their phone lines are always busy! I spent hours trying to get through when I had questions about my application. Has anyone found a better way to actually talk to someone there?
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NeonNebula
•I had the same problem trying to reach NYS Department of Labor agents about my claim status. After weeks of busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually gets you through to unemployment agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. It was a lifesaver when I needed to resolve an adjudication issue that was holding up my benefits.
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Malik Thomas
•That sounds too good to be true but at this point I'm willing to try anything to get answers about my claim.
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Isabella Costa
just want to say good luck with everything!! being unemployed is really stressful but the NYS Department of Labor benefits do help while you're job searching
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