How to file a weekly claim for unemployment - NYS Department of Labor website keeps timing out
I'm trying to figure out how to file my weekly claim for unemployment benefits but the NYS Department of Labor website keeps crashing on me every time I get to the certification page. I got approved for benefits last week and this is my first time trying to do the weekly filing. The system logged me out three times already today and I'm worried I'm going to miss the deadline. Does anyone know if there's a specific time of day when the site works better? Also, do I need to have my job search contacts ready before I start the weekly claim or can I add those separately?
13 comments
Join the conversation
Lena Müller
The weekly claim filing is usually more stable early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are using the system. You'll need to certify that you're able and available to work, report any earnings from the previous week, and confirm your job search activities. Make sure you have your work search log ready because you'll need to enter those contacts during the weekly certification process.
0 coins
Raj Gupta
•Thanks! Do you know how many job contacts I need to report each week? I've been applying to about 5-6 jobs but wasn't sure if there's a minimum requirement.
0 coins
TechNinja
Try clearing your browser cache and using Chrome or Firefox instead of Safari. The NYS Department of Labor site has issues with certain browsers. For the weekly claim, you just need to answer the questions honestly about whether you worked, looked for work, and were available. The job search requirement is usually 3 contacts per week but check your determination letter to be sure.
0 coins
Keisha Thompson
•I had the same browser problems! Switched to Firefox and it worked much better for filing my weekly claims.
0 coins
Paolo Bianchi
ugh the website is TERRIBLE! I've been dealing with this for months and it crashes constantly. Sometimes I file my weekly claim at like 6am on Sunday just to avoid the traffic. Make sure you write down your confirmation number when you finish because sometimes the system doesn't email it to you right away.
0 coins
Raj Gupta
•Good tip about the confirmation number! I didn't think about that. Do you know what happens if the system crashes right after I submit but before I get the confirmation?
0 coins
Yara Assad
If you're having trouble getting through on the website consistently, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help people get connected to actual NYS Department of Labor agents by phone when the online system isn't working. I used them when I couldn't file my weekly claim due to a technical error that kept blocking me. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Sometimes talking to a real person is easier than fighting with the website.
0 coins
Olivia Clark
•How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or do they actually help you file the weekly claim over the phone?
0 coins
Yara Assad
•They help you get through to a real NYS Department of Labor representative who can assist with filing your weekly claim or fixing any issues with your account. Much better than sitting on hold for hours or dealing with the website crashes.
0 coins
Javier Morales
just go to my.ny.gov and log in then click unemployment services then weekly certification. its not that hard once you know where to look lol
0 coins
Raj Gupta
•I know where to find it, the problem is the website keeps timing out when I try to submit the certification. But thanks anyway.
0 coins
NeonNova
I've been filing weekly claims for about 6 months now and here's what I've learned: Try filing between 6-8 AM on Sunday mornings when the system is most stable. For the job search contacts, you need to have them ready during certification - you can't add them separately later. Keep a simple log with company name, contact method (online application, phone, email), and date. The system will ask for 3 work search activities per week unless you're in an approved training program. Also, save your work frequently as you go through the questions in case it times out - the system sometimes saves partial progress. If all else fails, you can call the Telecert line at 1-888-581-5812, though expect long wait times.
0 coins
Santiago Diaz
•This is super helpful! I had no idea about the Telecert phone line - that could be a good backup option. Quick question about the work search log - do I need to include the specific job titles I applied for or is just the company name and contact method enough?
0 coins