Questions about unemployment benefits - NYS Department of Labor eligibility and claim process
I'm really confused about the whole unemployment benefits process and have a bunch of questions about unemployment benefits that I can't find clear answers to. I lost my job two weeks ago and I'm not sure if I even qualify or how to start. Do I apply right away or wait? What documents do I need? How much can I expect to get? I've been on the my.ny.gov website but it's so confusing with all the different forms and requirements. Also worried about the job search requirements - do I have to start looking immediately or can I take some time? Any help would be appreciated because I'm getting overwhelmed trying to figure this out on my own.
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Ellie Kim
You should definitely apply as soon as possible! The NYS Department of Labor has a one-week waiting period, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, employment history for the last 18 months including dates and employer contact info, and your last pay stub. Don't wait - benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you lost your job.
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Luis Johnson
•Thank you! I didn't realize there was a waiting period. Should I gather all my employment info before starting the application or can I add it later?
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Fiona Sand
For the benefit amount, it's based on your earnings in the base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). The maximum weekly benefit rate in NY is $504 in 2025, but most people get less. You can use the benefit calculator on the NYS Department of Labor website to get an estimate. As for job search requirements, yes you need to start looking right away and keep a detailed log of your search activities.
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Mohammad Khaled
•The job search thing is no joke - they really do check those logs during random audits. I had to provide screenshots of applications I submitted.
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Alina Rosenthal
ugh the my.ny.gov site is such a mess, took me forever to figure out where to even start the application. make sure you have a good internet connection because it times out constantly and you'll lose your progress
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Luis Johnson
•Oh no, that's good to know. I'll make sure to save frequently. Did you have any other technical issues?
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Ellie Kim
If you're having trouble reaching the NYS Department of Labor by phone for specific questions, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helpful when you need to speak to someone about your specific situation instead of waiting on hold for hours.
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Finnegan Gunn
•Interesting, never heard of that service before. The phone lines are definitely impossible to get through to.
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Miguel Harvey
Just want to add that if you were laid off vs fired, it makes a big difference for eligibility. Layoffs are usually straightforward, but if you were terminated for cause you might face a disqualification period. Also, if you have any severance pay, that could affect when your benefits start.
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Luis Johnson
•I was laid off due to company downsizing, so that should be okay. No severance unfortunately. Thanks for mentioning that distinction!
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