NYS Department of Labor - how long can you file unemployment benefits?
I'm trying to figure out the time limits for filing unemployment in New York. My job ended about 6 weeks ago and I've been looking for work but haven't filed yet because I thought I'd find something quickly. Now I'm getting worried I might have missed some kind of deadline. How long can you file unemployment after losing your job? Is there a cutoff date where NYS Department of Labor won't accept your claim anymore?
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Brianna Muhammad
You generally have up to one year from when you became unemployed to file your initial claim with NYS Department of Labor. However, you should file as soon as possible because benefits are not retroactive to your last day of work - they only start from the week you actually file your claim. So you've already lost about 6 weeks of potential benefits.
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Camila Castillo
•Oh no, so I can't get those 6 weeks back even if I file now? That's a lot of money I've missed out on.
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JaylinCharles
Yeah the one year rule is correct but like the previous poster said, you're losing money every week you wait. The effective date of your claim will be the week you file, not when you lost your job. You should get on my.ny.gov right now and start your application. Don't wait any longer thinking you'll find work soon - you can always stop claiming if you get hired.
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Eloise Kendrick
•This is so true! I made the same mistake and waited 3 weeks thinking I'd get hired quickly. Lost out on like $900 in benefits.
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Lucas Schmidt
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to ask questions about my claim timing. Kept getting busy signals and hung up on after waiting forever. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that connects you directly to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made it so much easier to get my questions answered about filing deadlines and claim status.
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Freya Collins
•Never heard of that service but honestly anything is better than trying to call NYS Department of Labor directly. The phone system is a nightmare.
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LongPeri
wait so if i file today but i lost my job 2 months ago i cant get any money for those 2 months?? that seems really unfair
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Brianna Muhammad
•Unfortunately no, that's correct. Benefits only start from the week you file your claim. It's designed to encourage people to file immediately when they become unemployed rather than waiting.
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Oscar O'Neil
The whole system is designed to screw people over. They make it confusing on purpose so you miss deadlines and lose money. Classic NYS Department of Labor bureaucracy at work.
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