Questions about what happens when I apply for unemployment through NYS Department of Labor
I'm about to lose my job next week and have never filed for unemployment before. I keep hearing different things about what happens when you apply for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. Some people say it's super complicated and takes forever, others say it's pretty straightforward. I'm really nervous about messing something up on the application. Can someone walk me through what actually happens after you submit your initial claim? Like do they contact your employer right away? How long before you know if you're approved? I've been working at the same company for 3 years so I should qualify but I'm just worried about doing something wrong.
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Jamal Anderson
The process is actually pretty manageable once you understand the steps. When you apply for unemployment through my.ny.gov, NYS Department of Labor will send a notice to your employer within a few days to verify your employment and the reason you're no longer working. You'll get a determination letter within 1-2 weeks letting you know if your claim is approved. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready when you apply. The most important thing is to file your weekly claims every week even while waiting for your determination.
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QuantumQuest
•Thank you! That's really helpful. Do I need to wait for the determination letter before I start filing weekly claims or should I start right away?
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Mei Zhang
definitely start filing weekly claims immediately! i made the mistake of waiting for my determination letter and lost out on 3 weeks of benefits because you cant backdate them. the system is annoying but not that hard to figure out
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Liam McGuire
I had a smooth experience when I applied last year. The key is being completely honest about why you lost your job and having all your wage information accurate. NYS Department of Labor will cross-reference everything with your employer's records anyway. If you were laid off or your position was eliminated, it should be straightforward. Just make sure you understand the job search requirements - you'll need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log.
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Amara Eze
•Wait, is it still 3 job contacts per week? I thought they changed that requirement recently. The whole job search thing stresses me out more than the application itself.
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Giovanni Ricci
If you run into issues getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to check on your claim status, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone until I found this. Really saved me a lot of frustration with busy signals and getting hung up on.
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QuantumQuest
•That sounds useful but hopefully I won't need it. Fingers crossed my application goes smoothly!
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NeonNomad
The whole unemployment system is a nightmare designed to wear you down so you give up trying to get benefits you're entitled to. When I applied it took them 6 weeks to process my claim and they 'lost' my paperwork twice. Just be prepared for delays and bureaucratic incompetence.
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Fatima Al-Hashemi
Don't let the negative comments scare you! Most claims go through without major issues. Just file as soon as possible after your last day of work and keep all your documentation organized. The online system walks you through everything step by step.
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