What do I file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - confused about the process
I just got laid off from my retail job last week and I have no idea what I'm supposed to file for unemployment. Everyone keeps telling me different things and I'm getting overwhelmed. Do I file online? What forms do I need? I went to the NYS Department of Labor website but there's so many options and I don't want to mess this up. Can someone walk me through what exactly I need to file and where to start?
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Amelia Cartwright
You'll need to file an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits through the NYS Department of Labor online system at my.ny.gov. You don't file forms exactly - it's an online application where you'll enter your employment history, personal info, and reason for separation. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment details for the last 18 months ready before you start.
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Royal_GM_Mark
•Thank you! Do I need pay stubs or just the basic job info like dates and addresses?
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Chris King
The process is pretty straightforward once you get started. Go to my.ny.gov, create an account if you don't have one, then look for the unemployment services section. You'll file what's called an 'initial claim' which establishes your eligibility and benefit amount. After that gets approved, you'll file weekly claims every week to actually receive payments. Don't wait too long to file - you can only get benefits from the date you file, not retroactively.
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Rachel Clark
•THIS. I waited two weeks thinking I needed more paperwork and lost out on those benefits completely. File as soon as possible!
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Zachary Hughes
Been there, it's confusing at first. You file an unemployment insurance claim, not unemployment forms. The NYS Department of Labor system will walk you through everything step by step. Just make sure you answer all questions honestly about why you lost your job - they'll verify everything with your employer anyway.
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Mia Alvarez
If you're having trouble getting through to file online or need to talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.
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Royal_GM_Mark
•Is that like a paid service? I'm already stressed about money since I lost my job.
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Mia Alvarez
•They focus on helping you get through to the right person quickly instead of spending days calling. Worth checking out their demo to see if it makes sense for your situation.
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Carter Holmes
just go online and fill it out its not that hard lol. my.ny.gov unemployment section
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Giovanni Colombo
Hey Royal_GM_Mark! I went through this exact same thing a few months ago when I got laid off from my restaurant job. Here's what worked for me: First, gather all your info - SSN, address history, and employment details for the past 18 months (company names, addresses, dates worked, reason for leaving). Then go to my.ny.gov and create an account. Look for "Unemployment Services" and click "File a Claim." The system will ask you questions about your work history and why you're unemployed. Answer everything honestly - they'll contact your employer to verify anyway. The whole process took me about 30-45 minutes. Most importantly, file TODAY if you can - you can't get benefits for weeks before you file, even if you were eligible. After your initial claim is approved, you'll need to certify for benefits every week. Don't let the website overwhelm you - just take it one step at a time!
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Reina Salazar
•This is super helpful, thank you Giovanni! One quick follow-up - when you say "certify for benefits every week," what does that actually mean? Is it like filling out the whole application again or just confirming I'm still unemployed and looking for work?
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