How to open new claim for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - need step by step help
My previous claim expired last month and I need to file a brand new unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor. I'm getting confused by the my.ny.gov website - is it the same process as filing an initial claim or is there something different for reopening? I worked at a restaurant for 8 months before getting laid off again due to slow business. Do I need to gather all my employment history again or does NYS Department of Labor already have that information from my old claim? Also worried about the job search requirements since those seem to have changed. Any help would be appreciated!
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Ravi Sharma
You'll need to file a completely new initial claim, not reopen your old one. Go to my.ny.gov and select 'File a Claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits.' Even though NYS Department of Labor has your previous employment history, you'll need to enter your most recent employer information and wages for the new base period. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment details for the last 18 months ready before you start.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thanks! Do I need pay stubs from my recent job or will NYS Department of Labor verify wages directly with my employer?
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Freya Thomsen
just did this last week, the website walks you through everything but it took me like 45 minutes to complete. make sure you answer all the questions about why you left your job accurately because they'll verify with your employer later
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Omar Zaki
Important note about job search requirements - you now need to complete 3 work search activities per week and keep detailed records in your online job search log. This changed from the old requirements. You can access the job search log through your my.ny.gov account after your claim is filed. Activities include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or using NYS Department of Labor career services.
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AstroAce
•Wait, I thought it was still just 2 job contacts per week? When did this change to 3 activities?
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Omar Zaki
•The requirement is 3 work search activities per week for most claimants. Some activities count as multiple contacts - like attending a job fair can count for 2 activities. Check the specific requirements in your my.ny.gov account as they can vary based on your situation.
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Chloe Martin
UGH the NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating! I've been trying to get through to someone for WEEKS about issues with my claim and can never reach a human. The phone lines are always busy and the callback feature never works. Has anyone found a reliable way to actually talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor when you need help?
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Diego Rojas
•I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents by handling the phone queue for you. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows exactly how it works. I was finally able to speak with someone about my adjudication issue after weeks of trying on my own.
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Chloe Martin
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did they charge you a lot for the service?
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Diego Rojas
•They focus more on the value of actually reaching someone rather than the cost. For me it was worth it because I needed to resolve my claim status and couldn't afford to keep missing work to try calling during business hours.
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Anastasia Sokolov
One thing to watch out for - if there's any gap between when your last claim ended and when you file this new one, NYS Department of Labor might question why you didn't file sooner. Be prepared to explain what you were doing during that time (looking for work, training, etc.). Also double-check that you meet the monetary requirements for a new claim based on your recent earnings.
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Isabella Ferreira
Update: Just finished filing my new claim! The process was straightforward once I had all my information ready. One tip - they ask for exact dates of employment so make sure you have that info handy. My claim is now showing as pending and I should hear back within a few days about approval. Thanks everyone for the help!
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Freya Thomsen
•glad it worked out! remember to file your first weekly claim this week even if your initial claim is still pending
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Zane Gray
Great to hear you got your claim filed successfully! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're filing a new claim after your previous one expired, make sure to keep documentation of your job search activities from day one. Even while your claim is pending, NYS Department of Labor expects you to be actively looking for work. I learned this the hard way when they asked for my job search records retroactively during my eligibility review. Also, if you worked in multiple states during your base period, you might need to file an interstate claim which has different requirements.
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Grace Lee
•This is really helpful advice about keeping job search records from the start! I'm curious about the interstate claim situation - how do you know if you need to file an interstate claim versus a regular one? Is it based on where you worked most recently or where you earned the most wages during the base period?
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