Unemployment how to get - complete NYS Department of Labor filing process?
Lost my job yesterday at a retail store in Rochester and I'm completely lost about unemployment how to get started with the whole process. I've never filed for benefits before and honestly don't even know where to begin with NYS Department of Labor. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before applying? What documents do I need? I heard there's something called my.ny.gov but I'm not sure if that's the right place. Really stressed about paying rent next month so any guidance would be appreciated.
13 comments
Join the conversation
Jessica Nolan
You can file immediately - don't wait! Go to my.ny.gov and create an account if you don't have one. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim starts. Make sure to file your weekly claims every week even while your initial claim is processing.
0 coins
Leo McDonald
•Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or will they verify my wages directly with my employer?
0 coins
Angelina Farar
NYS Department of Labor will verify your wages automatically through their system, but it's good to have your last pay stub handy in case they need additional verification. The key things: file online at my.ny.gov, answer all questions honestly about why you lost your job, and start your job search immediately because you'll need to log 3 job contacts per week.
0 coins
Leo McDonald
•3 job contacts per week seems like a lot when I just lost my job yesterday. Is there any grace period?
0 coins
Jessica Nolan
•Unfortunately no grace period - the job search requirement starts immediately. But job contacts can include online applications, networking, attending job fairs, even informational interviews. Keep detailed records in your job search log.
0 coins
Sebastián Stevens
been through this process twice and honestly the hardest part is getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor when you have questions. their phone lines are always busy and the wait times are insane
0 coins
Bethany Groves
•I had the same problem trying to reach them about my adjudication issue. Spent weeks calling and getting hung up on. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual NYS Department of Labor agent in like 10 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
0 coins
KingKongZilla
Make sure you understand the difference between being laid off vs fired for cause because that affects your eligibility. If you were terminated for misconduct, your claim might go into adjudication and take weeks to resolve. Also, your benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in your base period, not your most recent pay.
0 coins
Leo McDonald
•I was laid off due to store restructuring, not fired. Does that make the process faster?
0 coins
KingKongZilla
•Yes, layoffs due to lack of work typically process much faster than cases involving misconduct or voluntary quit situations. Your claim should be straightforward.
0 coins
Rebecca Johnston
just make sure u file asap!! i waited like 2 weeks thinking i needed to find other work first and that was a mistake because u cant get retroactive benefits for those weeks
0 coins
Nathan Dell
The whole unemployment system is such a bureaucratic nightmare. Took me 6 weeks to get my first payment last year because they kept asking for more documentation even though I provided everything they initially requested. NYS Department of Labor needs a complete overhaul.
0 coins
Jessica Nolan
•While the system definitely has room for improvement, most straightforward layoff cases process within 2-3 weeks. The key is being thorough and accurate when filing your initial claim.
0 coins