What do you need to do to get unemployment benefits approved in NY?
I just got laid off from my restaurant job after 8 months and I'm completely lost about how to actually get unemployment benefits. I know I need to file with NYS Department of Labor but what are all the steps? Do I need specific documents or proof of employment? How long does the whole process take from filing to getting my first payment? I'm stressed because I have rent due in two weeks and I've never filed for unemployment before.
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Ravi Choudhury
The basic steps are: 1) File your initial claim online at labor.ny.gov, 2) File weekly claims every week even while waiting for approval, 3) Complete work search activities (3 per week), 4) Respond to any requests for information immediately. You'll need your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months including employer names and addresses, and your bank info for direct deposit. The whole process usually takes 2-4 weeks if there are no issues with your claim.
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Isabella Silva
•Thanks! Do I need pay stubs or just the employer information? And what counts as work search activities?
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CosmosCaptain
You don't need pay stubs when you file, but keep them just in case NYS Department of Labor asks for verification later. For work search, you can apply for jobs, attend job fairs, register with employment agencies, or take approved training courses. Just make sure to log everything in your job search record because they can audit you anytime.
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Freya Johansen
•yep keep track of EVERYTHING. I got audited last year and had to provide proof of every single job application
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Omar Fawzi
Just a heads up - if you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone to check your claim status or ask questions, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They basically get you connected to an actual agent without having to wait on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
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Chloe Wilson
•Interesting, never heard of that. Is it legit or some kind of scam?
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Omar Fawzi
•It's legit - they don't ask for your personal info or anything sketchy. Just helps you get through the phone system faster when you actually need to talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor.
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Diego Mendoza
ugh the whole system is such a nightmare. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documentation. make sure you answer every single message they send you or your claim will just sit there forever
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Isabella Silva
•6 weeks?? I really can't wait that long for my rent. Is there any way to speed it up?
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Ravi Choudhury
The key is being super responsive to any requests from NYS Department of Labor and making sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. Even if your initial claim is still pending, you need to keep filing weekly or you'll lose benefits for those weeks. Also double-check that all your employer information is exactly correct when you file - any discrepancies can trigger adjudication which adds weeks to the process.
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