What is required for unemployment benefits in NY - complete eligibility checklist?

The basic requirements are: you must have worked and earned enough wages during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters), you must be unemployed through no fault of your own, you must be able and available to work, and you must actively search for work. With 2 years at that salary you should definitely meet the wage requirements. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment information for the past 18 months including dates, employer addresses, and reason for separation.

You don't need pay stubs initially but keep them handy in case NYS Department of Labor needs to verify your wages later. They'll contact your employer directly for most verification. The job search requirement kicks in immediately once you start claiming benefits - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a detailed log. You can apply online at labor.ny.gov and should do it as soon as possible since there's a waiting week.

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to verify my claim status last month. Kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration trying to reach someone about my adjudication issues.

also make sure ur reason for job loss qualifies!! if you quit or got fired for misconduct you might not be eligible. layoffs, downsizing, lack of work are usually fine but each case gets reviewed

The whole system is ridiculous. I've been dealing with an adjudication issue for 6 weeks now with NO explanation of what they're even reviewing. You jump through all their hoops, provide every document they ask for, and then they just leave you hanging. Make sure you document EVERYTHING because they'll find any excuse to delay or deny your claim.

Just to add some practical advice - when you apply online, have all your employer info ready including exact addresses and supervisor names if possible. The system can be glitchy so save your progress frequently. Also, file your weekly certifications on the same day each week to avoid any issues. I found Sunday mornings work best since the system is less busy. Make sure to keep detailed records of all your job search activities from day one - employer names, contact methods, dates, and responses. The job search log is crucial if they ever audit your claim.