What is required to collect unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?

You'll need to meet a few basic requirements to collect unemployment in NY. First, you need sufficient work history - generally you need to have worked and earned wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Second, you must be unemployed through no fault of your own - layoffs qualify, but voluntary quits usually don't unless for good cause. Third, you need to be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. You'll also need to register for work search and file weekly claims.

For the application you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and employment information for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason you stopped working. Have your most recent pay stub handy too. The job you quit a year ago might not matter if you worked sufficient hours after that, but they'll ask about all separations during your base period.

dont forget about the work search requirements!! you have to apply for jobs every week and keep a log or they'll cut you off. learned that the hard way

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to verify my claim status last month. The phone lines are always busy and the online system sometimes doesn't update right away. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process much less stressful than trying to call dozens of times.

Just make sure you file as soon as possible after losing your job. There's a waiting week but the sooner you get your claim in the better. And be honest about everything - they'll verify your employment history anyway.