How to apply for unemployment in NYC - NYS Department of Labor process questions
I just got laid off from my job in Manhattan and need to figure out how to apply for unemployment benefits. I've never done this before and honestly have no idea where to start. Do I apply through NYC or is it all through NYS Department of Labor? I heard there's an online system but also that you might need to call? Really confused about the whole process and could use some guidance on the steps. My last day was Friday so I want to make sure I don't miss any deadlines or mess something up.
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Demi Lagos
You apply through NYS Department of Labor, not the city. Go to labor.ny.gov and create an account on their online system. You can file your initial claim there. Make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and bank account info for direct deposit. You should file as soon as possible after your last day of work.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Thanks! Do I need to wait until after my last paycheck clears or can I file right away?
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Mason Lopez
The whole process is online now through my.ny.gov. You'll need to set up your account first, then file your initial unemployment claim. After that you'll file weekly claims every week to get paid. Make sure you have all your employment info ready - they ask for detailed work history including addresses and phone numbers of previous employers.
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Vera Visnjic
•This is so helpful, I'm in the same situation and was wondering about the weekly claims part
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Jake Sinclair
ugh the nys department of labor website is such a pain to navigate. took me forever to figure out where to actually start the application. once you get past the initial setup though its not too bad. just make sure you keep track of all your login info because getting locked out is a nightmare
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Good point about keeping track of login info. I'll write everything down somewhere safe.
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Brielle Johnson
If you run into issues getting through on the phone to NYS Department of Labor (which happens a lot), I recently found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals when I needed to ask about my claim status.
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Honorah King
•Never heard of that but honestly anything that helps with getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor sounds worth trying
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Oliver Brown
Just want to add - make sure you're eligible before applying. You need to have worked enough quarters and earned enough wages. Also be prepared for the job search requirements once you start receiving benefits. NYS Department of Labor requires you to actively look for work and keep records of your job search activities.
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Lara Woods
•@Oliver Brown This is really important info about eligibility - how do you find out if you ve'worked enough quarters? Is there a way to check that on the NYS site before applying?
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QuantumQueen
•@Lara Woods Yes, you can check your wage and employment history on the NYS Department of Labor website once you create your account. They have a section where you can view your quarterly earnings to see if you meet the minimum requirements. Generally you need wages in at least 2 quarters and meet certain dollar thresholds, but the exact amounts can vary so it s'worth checking your specific situation.
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