When can i collect unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
I just got laid off from my retail job yesterday and I'm not sure when I can start collecting unemployment benefits. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before applying or can I file right away? Also how long does it usually take for the first payment to come through? I've never been unemployed before so this is all new to me. Any help would be appreciated!
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Eduardo Silva
You can file your unemployment claim immediately - there's no waiting period to apply. In fact, you should file as soon as possible because benefits are only paid from the date you file, not from when you lost your job. The NYS Department of Labor recommends filing within the first week of unemployment. Your first payment typically comes 2-3 weeks after filing if there are no issues with your claim.
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Freya Andersen
•Thanks! Should I file online or by phone? I tried calling but it just keeps saying high call volume.
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Leila Haddad
File online at my.ny.gov - it's much faster than trying to get through on the phone. Make sure you have your last employer's information, your Social Security number, and details about your last day of work. You'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits, even if your first claim is still being processed.
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Emma Johnson
•This is exactly right. I made the mistake of not filing my weekly claims while waiting for my initial claim to be approved and lost out on 2 weeks of benefits.
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Ravi Patel
Just went through this myself last month. Filed on a Tuesday, got my first payment exactly 3 weeks later. The key is making sure you have all your employment history for the past 18 months ready when you file. If you're missing any information it can delay your claim for weeks.
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Astrid Bergström
Be prepared for the job search requirements too! You'll need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of all your job search activities. The NYS Department of Labor can audit this at any time so keep detailed records.
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Freya Andersen
•Do I need to start job searching immediately or can I wait until my claim is approved?
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Eduardo Silva
•You need to start job searching right away. The work search requirement begins with your first week of filing, not when your claim gets approved.
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PixelPrincess
If you run into issues getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone (which happens a lot), I had good luck using Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get connected to actual agents without waiting on hold forever. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration when my claim got stuck in adjudication.
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Freya Andersen
•That sounds helpful, I'll check it out if I have trouble reaching them. Thanks for the tip!
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