When can u file unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - timing questions
hey everyone, probably a dumb question but when exactly can you file for unemployment benefits? i got laid off yesterday from my warehouse job and wondering if i should wait or file right away. my supervisor said something about waiting periods but honestly wasnt paying much attention since i was pretty shocked. do i need to wait a certain amount of time or can i just go online to my.ny.gov and start the process today? also does it matter that i was only at this job for like 8 months? any help would be great, really need to figure this out asap since rent is due next week
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
You should file your claim immediately - don't wait! The NYS Department of Labor always recommends filing as soon as possible after you become unemployed. Your claim starts from the date you file, not the date you lost your job. There's a one-week waiting period before you receive benefits, but that waiting period only begins when you file your initial claim. You can file online at my.ny.gov or call the NYS Department of Labor phone line.
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NebulaNinja
•oh ok so i dont lose anything by filing today? thats good to know. what about the 8 months thing - is that long enough to qualify?
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Dylan Mitchell
Yes, file immediately. The 8 months should be fine as long as you earned enough wages. NYS Department of Labor requires you to have worked and earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period. Since you worked 8 months, you likely meet the earnings requirement. You'll also need to meet the weekly job search requirements once your claim is active - typically 3 job contacts per week.
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Sofia Morales
•wait what job search requirements? i thought you just had to file your weekly claims and thats it
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Dylan Mitchell
•No, you need to actively search for work and document it. NYS Department of Labor requires proof of job search activities when they audit claims. Keep detailed records of where you apply and when.
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Dmitry Popov
Ugh the whole system is such a mess. I filed right away when I got laid off in December and STILL waiting for my first payment. My claim has been stuck in adjudication for 3 weeks now with no explanation. The NYS Department of Labor phone lines are impossible to get through - I've tried calling hundreds of times and either get busy signals or get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.
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Ava Garcia
•Have you tried using Claimyr? I was having the same problem getting through to NYS Department of Labor agents and someone here recommended it. You basically pay them to call and get you connected to an actual person. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got through in like 20 minutes when I couldn't get through for weeks on my own. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI and their site is claimyr.com if you want to check it out.
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Dmitry Popov
•never heard of that but might be worth trying at this point. did they actually help resolve your adjudication issue or just get you connected?
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Ava Garcia
•They got me connected to an agent who was able to explain what documents I needed to submit to resolve the adjudication. Turned out there was an issue with my previous employer's response that I had no idea about.
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StarSailor}
definitely file asap! i made the mistake of waiting like 2 weeks thinking i needed to 'settle in' to being unemployed first and totally screwed myself out of those benefits. you cant backdate claims in NY so every day you wait is money lost
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Miguel Silva
same boat as OP, got let go last month and filed immediately. one thing they dont tell you is that even after you file youll probably have to wait for them to verify everything with your employer. took about 10 days before my weekly claims were actually payable. but yeah definitely dont wait to file the initial claim
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