I was let go from my job can I get unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
My employer terminated me yesterday after 2 years working there. They said it was due to company restructuring and that my position was being eliminated. I've never filed for unemployment before and I'm not sure what to do. Can I get benefits if I was let go? What's the process like with NYS Department of Labor? I'm really stressed about paying my bills and rent next month.
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Emma Wilson
Yes, you can definitely file for unemployment benefits if you were terminated due to company restructuring. That's considered a qualifying separation. You'll need to file your claim online through the NYS Department of Labor website at labor.ny.gov. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready. You should file as soon as possible since there's a waiting week before benefits begin.
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Javier Mendoza
•Thank you! Do I need any paperwork from my employer or can I just file with the information I have?
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Malik Davis
File immediately! The sooner you apply the sooner your claim gets processed. You don't need paperwork from your employer to start the application - NYS Department of Labor will verify your employment directly with them. Just make sure you report your last day of work accurately and explain that it was a layoff due to restructuring. Also start keeping a job search log right away because you'll need to show you're actively looking for work.
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Isabella Santos
•This is good advice. I got laid off last year and filed the same day. Took about 3 weeks to get my first payment but it was worth applying right away.
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Ravi Gupta
I'm sorry this happened to you! The same thing happened to me a few months ago and I was so worried about everything. The NYS Department of Labor website can be confusing at first but just take it step by step. Make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed. I made the mistake of not doing that and it delayed my benefits.
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Javier Mendoza
•Oh no, I'm glad you mentioned that! How do I file weekly claims? Is that separate from the initial application?
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GalacticGuru
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask questions about your claim, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was really helpful when I had questions about my claim status and couldn't get through on my own.
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Freya Pedersen
•Interesting, never heard of that. Did it actually work for you? The phone lines are always so busy.
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GalacticGuru
•Yeah it worked well for me. I was stuck trying to reach someone for days and this got me connected pretty quickly to discuss my adjudication issue.
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Chloe Harris
I went through this exact situation last year when my company did layoffs. Since you were terminated due to restructuring (not for cause), you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits. A few tips that helped me: 1) Apply online at labor.ny.gov TODAY - don't wait, 2) Have your bank account info ready for direct deposit setup, 3) Keep detailed records of all your job search activities from day one, and 4) Be prepared for the first payment to take 2-3 weeks. The weekly benefit amount is based on your previous earnings, typically around 50% of your average weekly wage up to the state maximum. Hang in there - the process can be stressful but the benefits will help cover your expenses while you look for new work.
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