What to bring to unemployment office appointment - NYS Department of Labor meeting prep

Bring everything! Photo ID, Social Security card, all your pay stubs from your last job, your separation notice or termination letter, and any correspondence you've received from NYS Department of Labor. Also bring your job search log if you've been keeping one. They'll want to see proof of your work history and the reason you're unemployed.

same thing happened to me last month!! they asked for my ID, recent bank statements, and proof of any other income I might have. also bring a list of all the jobs you've applied for with dates and contact info

If you don't have a written separation notice, bring any emails or texts from your employer about the layoff. NYS Department of Labor needs to verify the reason for your unemployment. You can also write a brief statement explaining what happened and when. Make sure to bring copies of everything - don't give them your originals.

Been through this process twice now with NYS Department of Labor appointments. The adjudication meetings are usually about verifying your eligibility. If you've been having trouble reaching someone by phone, there's actually a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps people get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be useful if you need to follow up after your appointment.

The whole system is ridiculous! Why can't they just tell you what to bring when they schedule the appointment?? I had to go twice because I forgot to bring my proof of citizenship the first time. Typical government inefficiency.

dont forget to bring proof of any training or education programs youve been in since filing. they love that stuff for the work search requirements

Good luck with your appointment! I just went through this process last month. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - bring a printed copy of your online unemployment account summary showing all the weeks you've certified and any messages from the system. They referenced mine several times during the meeting. Also, if you've had any other jobs or gig work since filing (even just a few hours), bring documentation of that income too. The whole appointment took about 45 minutes for me, and they were actually pretty helpful in explaining what was holding up my claim. Hope yours goes smoothly!

I went through a similar appointment about 3 months ago. Definitely echo what everyone else said about bringing copies of everything - ID, Social Security card, all pay stubs, any termination paperwork. One thing I'd add is to bring your cell phone with access to your email in case they need you to show them any electronic correspondence on the spot. Also, arrive about 15 minutes early because parking can be tricky at some of these offices and you don't want to be stressed rushing in. The caseworker I met with was actually really understanding and walked me through exactly what was holding up my claim. Write down any questions you have beforehand so you don't forget to ask them during the meeting!

Just had my appointment last week and wanted to share what worked for me! In addition to all the great document advice already mentioned, I'd suggest writing down a clear timeline of events leading to your unemployment - dates of hire, layoff, any relevant details. The caseworker really appreciated having everything organized chronologically. Also, if you've been doing any freelance or temporary work while unemployed (even if it's minimal income), bring records of that too. They need to see the full picture of your employment situation. The whole process was actually less intimidating than I expected once I got there. Wishing you luck with your appointment on Tuesday!

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me during my NYS DOL appointment - bring a pen and notepad! The caseworker gave me specific instructions about next steps and important dates that I needed to remember. Taking notes during the meeting helped me keep track of everything they told me. Also, if you have any disability accommodations or language interpretation needs, make sure to mention that when you arrive so they can assist you properly. The staff was surprisingly patient and thorough in explaining everything. Your 5-week wait is frustrating but pretty typical unfortunately - hang in there, you're almost through this process!

I've been following all the great advice in this thread as I'm preparing for my own DOL appointment next week. One thing I wanted to add that helped my sister when she went through this - if you've been receiving any other benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, bring documentation of those as well. They may ask about all sources of support to get the complete picture. Also, if you had direct deposit set up for your previous job, bring a voided check or bank account information since they'll likely want to set up direct deposit for your benefits if approved. The whole process sounds intimidating but everyone's experiences here make it seem much more manageable. Thanks to everyone for sharing their tips - this thread is incredibly helpful for those of us navigating this system!