Is unemployment increasing in NY - should I file my claim now or wait?

You should file your NYS Department of Labor claim immediately - there's no benefit to waiting! Your claim effective date is based on when you file, not when you get approved. Even if unemployment rates are changing, that doesn't affect individual claim processing. The longer you wait, the more money you're potentially losing since you can't get benefits for weeks before you filed.

unemployment trends dont really matter for your individual claim but yeah the system does get backed up when lots of people file at once. i filed mine 2 weeks ago and it went through normal speed though

The economic situation shouldn't impact your decision to file. What matters is that you're eligible now - you lost your job through no fault of your own. File immediately and start your weekly claims as soon as the system allows. If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone to check on anything, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.

I keep seeing scary news about the job market but honestly I think a lot of it is just media hype. File your claim and focus on your job search requirements instead of worrying about unemployment statistics that don't affect your situation.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS RIGHT NOW!!! I've been trying to get my adjudication resolved for a month and they keep giving me the runaround. If unemployment is really increasing they're gonna be even more overwhelmed and incompetent than usual. But still file anyway because you need the money.

Don't overthink the unemployment trends - they won't affect your individual claim processing. I filed my claim in March during a busy period and it still went through within the normal timeframe. The key is to file immediately since your benefit weeks start from when you file, not when you get approved. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready (pay stubs, separation notice, etc.) to avoid any delays. The NYS DOL website has a good checklist of what you'll need before starting your application.

I agree with everyone saying to file immediately - don't wait! I was in a similar situation last year where I hesitated for a few weeks thinking the job market might turn around quickly, and I ended up losing out on those weeks of benefits. The unemployment rate going up or down doesn't change your eligibility or how fast they process claims. What matters is that you lost your job through no fault of your own. File today and start your weekly certifications as soon as you're able to. The sooner you get in the system, the sooner you can start receiving benefits while you look for your next job.

From someone who works in HR and has helped employees through layoffs - definitely file immediately! The unemployment rate in your area or statewide has zero impact on your individual claim processing time or approval odds. Your eligibility is based on your work history and the reason you lost your job, not economic trends. I've seen people lose out on thousands of dollars because they waited "to see what happens" with the job market. The NYS DOL system processes claims in the order they're received, and your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your wages in the base period regardless of current unemployment statistics. File today and focus your energy on your job search instead of worrying about things outside your control.