When can I get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor - timing questions
I'm confused about the timing for when I can actually get unemployment benefits. I lost my job last Friday and I'm not sure if I should apply right away or wait until Monday? Also how long does it take for the first payment to come through? I've never filed for unemployment before and the NYS Department of Labor website is kind of overwhelming with all the information. Can someone explain the basic timeline for getting benefits?
11 comments
Join the conversation
Amina Diop
You should file your initial claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. The NYS Department of Labor has a one-week waiting period before you can receive your first payment, but you want to get that clock started. Your benefit year begins the Sunday of the week you file, so don't delay. After filing your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue receiving benefits.
0 coins
Paolo Romano
•Thanks! So I should file today even though I just lost the job on Friday? And I have to do something every week after that?
0 coins
Oliver Schmidt
yeah file asap dont wait. took me like 3 weeks to get first payment though so dont expect it right away
0 coins
Natasha Volkov
The process is: 1) File initial claim immediately 2) Wait for determination (usually 1-2 weeks) 3) File your first weekly claim 4) After one-week waiting period, you'll get your first payment if approved. Make sure you have all your employment info ready - previous employer details, dates of employment, reason for separation. The my.ny.gov portal is where you'll do everything.
0 coins
Javier Torres
•What if my employer contests the claim? Does that delay everything? I'm worried they might try to say I was fired for cause when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts.
0 coins
Natasha Volkov
•If there's a dispute, your claim goes into adjudication which can take several weeks. The NYS Department of Labor will investigate and make a determination. You should keep filing weekly claims during this process.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
I had issues reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor when my claim was stuck in adjudication for weeks. Finally 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. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
0 coins
Paolo Romano
•Is that legitimate? Sounds too good to be true if the phone lines are always busy.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
•Yeah it's real, they basically call for you and connect you when an agent picks up. Was skeptical too but it actually worked when I couldn't get through any other way.
0 coins
QuantumLeap
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I've been waiting 6 WEEKS for my adjudication to be resolved and can't get anyone on the phone. Meanwhile bills are piling up and the NYS Department of Labor just sends form letters saying 'your claim is being reviewed.' This is ridiculous!
0 coins
Malik Johnson
Same boat here OP, just filed mine yesterday after getting laid off. The waiting is the worst part honestly, not knowing when money will start coming in.
0 coins