What is an unemployment claim exactly - confused about NYS Department of Labor process
I just got laid off from my job at a retail store and everyone keeps telling me to 'file an unemployment claim' but honestly I have no idea what that even means. Like, what exactly IS an unemployment claim? Is it just filling out some form online? Do I have to prove I'm looking for work? I went to the NYS Department of Labor website but it's so confusing with all these terms like 'weekly certification' and 'job search requirements.' Can someone explain this in simple terms? I'm 23 and this is my first time dealing with any of this stuff.
10 comments
Join the conversation
Mia Alvarez
An unemployment claim is basically your formal request to the NYS Department of Labor for weekly unemployment benefits after losing your job. You'll file an initial claim online at my.ny.gov which establishes your eligibility and benefit amount. Then you'll need to file weekly claims (certifications) every week to continue receiving payments. The weekly claims require you to report any work or income and confirm you're actively searching for employment. You'll need to meet job search requirements - typically 3 job contacts per week that you log in the system.
0 coins
Zachary Hughes
•Thank you! So the 'claim' is like the whole ongoing process, not just one form? And I have to do something every single week?
0 coins
Carter Holmes
yeah its basically you telling the state you lost your job and need money while you look for a new one. but be prepared for it to take FOREVER. i filed mine 2 months ago and still waiting for them to approve it because of some 'adjudication' thing
0 coins
Zachary Hughes
•Oh no, what's adjudication? That sounds scary...
0 coins
Sophia Long
•Adjudication just means they're reviewing your claim to make sure you're eligible. Common reasons include verifying your reason for job separation or checking if you meet work history requirements. If you have trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor about adjudication status, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works.
0 coins
Angelica Smith
Don't let the system intimidate you! I was terrified when I first filed but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. The unemployment claim process has these main steps: 1) File your initial claim with work history and reason for separation 2) Wait for determination letter 3) File weekly claims every week 4) Complete job search activities 5) Get paid if everything's approved. The NYS Department of Labor has improved their online system a lot since COVID so it's much more user-friendly now.
0 coins
Logan Greenburg
•lol 'user friendly' - clearly you haven't tried calling them lately. the phone system is a nightmare and half the time the website crashes when you're trying to file your weekly claim
0 coins
Charlotte Jones
To add to what others said - your unemployment claim also determines your weekly benefit amount based on your past earnings. The NYS Department of Labor looks at your wages from the last 18 months and calculates roughly half your average weekly wage, up to the maximum benefit amount. Right now in 2025 the max is around $530 per week. You can collect for up to 26 weeks typically, though this can vary based on economic conditions.
0 coins
Zachary Hughes
•Wait, they look at 18 months of wages? What if I only worked at this job for 6 months?
0 coins
Charlotte Jones
•They'll look at all your jobs during that base period. If you don't have enough work history, you might not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. There are specific earnings requirements you need to meet.
0 coins