Just got layoff letter from bankrupt company - will NY unemployment approve my claim?

You're in a pretty straightforward situation that should lead to approval. When a company provides a layoff letter specifically for unemployment purposes, your chances of approval are very high. Make sure you file your claim immediately - don't wait! NY unemployment takes about 2-3 weeks to process initial claims even when approved. The letter from your employer basically confirms you lost your job through no fault of your own, which is the main qualification for unemployment benefits. When you file, have your employer's info ready, including their NYS Employer Registration Number if it's on the letter they gave you.

OMG what if they DENY you???? I got laid off last year and kept getting these weird messages saying my claim needed "additional review" and I almost had a panic attack every time I checked my account! And then they asked for all this documentation about my previous jobs and I had to upload like 10 different things and one of them was the wrong format and AHHH it was so stressful! Do you have any other income sources you can tap while waiting?? It took 5 weeks for my first payment!!

Mass bankruptcy layoffs are actually one of the clearest cases for unemployment approval. The burden of proof is essentially already handled by the employer's documentation. Just make sure when you file your claim that you select "Laid off due to company closing/bankruptcy" as your reason for separation. Upload a copy of your layoff letter if the system allows it, or have it ready if they request additional documentation. And yes, as mentioned above, file IMMEDIATELY - every day matters when calculating your benefit year and weekly payment amounts.

I was in a similar situation back in January when my company suddenly folded. Despite having the layoff letter, I couldn't get through to an actual person at NYSDOL for THREE WEEKS to resolve a simple issue with my claim. It was beyond frustrating. I finally discovered Claimyr.com which got me connected to an agent in under an hour! You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - saved me so much stress during an already difficult time. My claim was approved right after speaking with the agent.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They make it IMPOSSIBLE to get benefits even when you clearly qualify!! I had a letter from my employer too and they STILL denied me saying I "voluntarily quit" which was a COMPLETE LIE! Then you can't get anyone on the phone EVER and the appeal process takes MONTHS while your bills pile up! Good luck but don't count on the system working like it should!!

I worked at a place that went bankrupt in 2025 and everyone got approved pretty quick. Just make sure you have your final paystub and the letter they gave you. And don't forget to do your weekly certifications even if your initial claim is still pending! That's where a lot of people mess up - they wait for approval before certifying weekly, but you need to certify every week right from the start.

ur good my dude, bankruptcy claims are easy. just don't say anything stupid on ur application lol. like don't say u quit or got fired for breaking rules. just put layoff due to closing and ur golden. took me like 10 min to apply when my job closed

One additional piece of advice: New York requires you to register with NY JobZone and create an active job search plan within 7 days of filing your unemployment claim. Many people miss this step and it can delay your benefits. Since you're part of a mass layoff, you should also check if your company is covered under the WARN Act, which might entitle you to additional benefits or services.

Based on the responses here, it's clear your situation should result in approval. To summarize the key steps: 1. File immediately 2. Select the correct reason for separation (layoff due to business closing) 3. Upload/provide the employer letter when prompted 4. Begin weekly certifications right away 5. Register with NY JobZone within 7 days 6. If you encounter any issues reaching NYSDOL, consider using a service to get through Most bankruptcy-related claims are processed within 2-3 weeks, so you should receive your first payment before your rent is due if you file immediately.