How to make an unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor - complete beginner needs help
I just got laid off from my job at a warehouse in Rochester and I have no idea how to make an unemployment claim. I've never done this before and I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the paperwork and websites. Can someone walk me through the basic steps? I heard I need to go through my.ny.gov but I'm not even sure what information I need to have ready. My last day was Friday and I'm worried I'm already behind on filing. Help please!
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Darcy Moore
Don't panic! You have plenty of time to file your initial claim. First, go to my.ny.gov and create an account if you don't have one. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and gross wages. The system will walk you through each step. Most important thing is to file your weekly claim every week once you start, even if your initial claim is still being processed.
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Edward McBride
•Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or can I estimate the wages? I don't have exact records for all my previous jobs.
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Dana Doyle
The NYS Department of Labor will verify your wages with your employers, so estimates are fine for now. Just be as accurate as possible. Make sure you file within the first week after losing your job to avoid any delays. The key is getting that initial application in and then filing your weekly claims every Sunday. Also, start your job search immediately because you'll need to log 3 job contacts per week.
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Liam Duke
•wait is it 3 job contacts or 4? I thought they changed it recently
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Dana Doyle
•It's 3 job search activities per week for most claimants. You can check the specific requirements in your online account after you file.
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Manny Lark
ugh the whole system is such a nightmare. I've been trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim and the phone just rings forever or hangs up on you. Good luck getting any actual help when something goes wrong!
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Rita Jacobs
•I had the same problem with calling NYS Department of Labor until someone told me about this service called Claimyr that basically calls for you and gets you through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.
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Manny Lark
•interesting, might have to try that if I can't get my adjudication resolved soon
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Khalid Howes
Just want to add that after you file your initial claim, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before you see any payments. Don't freak out if your claim shows 'pending' or goes into adjudication - that's normal especially if you had any job changes in the past year. Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what the status shows.
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Ben Cooper
Yeah I remember when I first filed it was so confusing! Make sure you answer all the questions honestly, especially about why you lost your job. If you were laid off due to lack of work, that's usually straightforward. But if there were any performance issues or anything like that, be prepared for them to ask follow up questions.
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Sean Fitzgerald
I went through this same process about 6 months ago and it's definitely overwhelming at first! One tip that really helped me - before you start the online application, gather all your documents in one place. You'll want your Social Security card, driver's license, and if you have them, your last few pay stubs and any separation paperwork from your employer. Even if you don't have everything perfect, don't let that stop you from filing. The system is pretty user-friendly once you get started, and you can always update information later if needed. The most important thing is to get that initial claim filed as soon as possible!
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Paolo Moretti
•This is really helpful advice! I'm in a similar situation and was putting off filing because I didn't have all my old pay stubs organized. Good to know I can start the process and update things later. Did you run into any issues with the online system itself, or was it pretty smooth once you had your documents ready?
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