How to start unemployment claim - NYS Department of Labor first time filer
Lost my job yesterday and need to file for unemployment benefits but have never done this before. I know I need to go through NYS Department of Labor but not sure where to start or what information I'll need. My employer said something about getting a separation notice but I haven't received anything yet. Should I wait for that or can I start the process now? Also worried about making mistakes that might delay my claim. Any advice on how to start unemployment claim process correctly?
12 comments
Join the conversation
Aaron Lee
You can start your claim immediately - don't wait for the separation notice. Go to 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 last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. The system will walk you through everything step by step.
0 coins
Alexis Robinson
•Thank you! Do I need exact dates or can I estimate? I've had a few different jobs over the past year and don't remember all the exact start/end dates.
0 coins
Chloe Mitchell
Make sure you file as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before benefits start. You'll also need to register with the NYS Department of Labor job search system and start looking for work immediately. Keep a log of all your job search activities because they'll ask for it when you file your weekly claims.
0 coins
Michael Adams
•Wait, I thought the waiting week was eliminated? I filed last month and got paid for my first week.
0 coins
Chloe Mitchell
•You're right - they did eliminate the waiting week. Thanks for the correction!
0 coins
Natalie Wang
ugh the whole process is so confusing and the website crashes all the time. took me three tries just to get through the initial application. make sure you save your work frequently because the system times out
0 coins
Noah Torres
If you run into issues reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone (which you probably will because their call volume is insane), I used claimyr.com recently and it actually worked. They have this video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Basically they call for you and get you connected to an actual person instead of sitting on hold forever. Was a lifesaver when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
0 coins
Alexis Robinson
•How much does that cost? I'm already unemployed so trying to avoid extra expenses.
0 coins
Noah Torres
•It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly after spending hours trying to get through on my own it was worth it to actually talk to someone who could help.
0 coins
Samantha Hall
Same boat here! Filed two weeks ago and still waiting for my first payment. The whole system is a mess but at least we're all suffering together lol. Good luck with your claim!
0 coins
Amara Nnamani
One more tip - when you file online, try to do it early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are using the system. The website tends to be more stable during off-peak hours. Also, don't panic if you make a small mistake on dates or details - you can usually correct minor errors later. The most important thing is to get your claim started as soon as possible. Take screenshots of each page as you go through the process in case you need to reference something later!
0 coins
William Rivera
•Great advice about the off-peak hours! I just tried logging into the ny.gov site and it's already running pretty slow this morning. Taking screenshots is really smart too - I learned that lesson the hard way when I had to start over on a different government form last year because the page crashed. Quick question - do you know if there's a specific time limit for how long after losing your job you can still file? I'm worried I might be cutting it close since I was laid off yesterday.
0 coins