What time can I apply for unemployment online through NYS Department of Labor?
I got laid off yesterday and need to file for unemployment benefits but I'm not sure when the NYS Department of Labor online system is available. Is there a specific time I can submit my application or is it 24/7? I tried logging into my.ny.gov around midnight last night but wasn't sure if that was the right time to start the process. Also do I need to wait until a certain day of the week to file my initial claim?
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Emma Wilson
You can file your initial unemployment claim online 24/7 through the NYS Department of Labor website at my.ny.gov. There's no specific time restriction for filing your first application. However, you should file as soon as possible since your benefit year starts the week you file, not when you became unemployed. The system is usually most responsive during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening.
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Javier Torres
•Thanks! I was worried I had to wait for business hours. Should I file today then or does it matter if I wait until Monday?
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QuantumLeap
File TODAY if you can! I made the mistake of waiting over the weekend when I got laid off and basically lost a week of benefits. The NYS Department of Labor counts your benefit year from when you actually submit the claim online, not from when you lost your job. The my.ny.gov system works fine 24/7 but sometimes it's slower during business hours when everyone's trying to use it.
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Malik Johnson
•This is exactly right. I waited 3 days to file thinking it didn't matter and those were 3 days I couldn't get back for benefits.
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Isabella Santos
The online system is available all the time but if you run into any issues with the application, you might want to try calling the NYS Department of Labor during business hours. Though honestly getting through by phone is nearly impossible these days. I spent weeks trying to reach someone about my claim status.
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Ravi Sharma
•I had the same problem with phone calls! Actually found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much time instead of calling over and over.
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Freya Larsen
Just want to add that when you do file online, make sure you have all your employment info ready - dates, employer addresses, reason for separation, etc. The application will time out if you take too long to complete it and you'll have to start over. Found that out the hard way!
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Omar Hassan
yeah the system is always up but it crashes sometimes on mondays when everyone files their weekly claims at the same time lol
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Keisha Williams
I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly - definitely file your initial claim today! The NYS DOL system is available 24/7 at my.ny.gov, and like others mentioned, your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you were laid off. Pro tip: if you're filing late at night or early morning, the system tends to be faster since there's less traffic. Also, have your last employer's full legal name and address handy, plus your recent pay stubs if possible. The system will ask for your gross wages from the last 18 months, so having that info ready will make the process smoother.
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Zara Ahmed
•This is really helpful advice, especially about having the employer's full legal name ready! I just want to make sure I understand - when you say the benefit year starts from when I file, does that mean if I file today (Friday) my first week of benefits would start this week, or would it still start from the Sunday of the week I file? I want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding the timing.
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