When can you claim unemployment benefits - NYS Department of Labor eligibility timeline?
I'm trying to figure out the timing for when I can actually file for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. My last day of work is scheduled for next Friday, but I'm not sure if I need to wait until after that date or if I can file beforehand. Also wondering about the waiting period - do I need to wait a full week before benefits kick in? I've heard conflicting information about when the clock starts ticking and when you're actually eligible to receive payments. Can anyone clarify the timeline for filing and when benefits actually start?
13 comments
Join the conversation
CosmicCowboy
You can file your initial unemployment claim the week after your last day of work. So if Friday is your last day, you'd file the following week. There's no waiting week in New York - you can claim benefits starting from your first week of unemployment as long as you meet all the eligibility requirements. The key is that you have to be totally unemployed for that week to claim it.
0 coins
Paolo Longo
•That's helpful, thank you! So I should wait until the Monday after my last Friday to file the initial claim?
0 coins
Amina Diallo
yeah i filed right away after my last day and it worked fine. just make sure you have all your employer info ready because they ask for a lot of details
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
Actually, let me clarify the process a bit more. You file your initial application first, which establishes your claim. Then you file weekly claims every week you want benefits. The initial application can be filed the first week you're unemployed, and your first weekly claim would be for that same week. Make sure you have your employment history for the past 18 months ready - NYS Department of Labor will need employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.
0 coins
Natasha Orlova
•Wait, I'm confused - do you file the initial claim AND the weekly claim in the same week? Or do you wait until the second week to do your first weekly claim?
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•You can do both in the same week. File your initial application first, then once that's processed (usually within a day or two), you can file your first weekly claim for that same week of unemployment.
0 coins
Javier Cruz
I had a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my timing. Spent hours on hold just to ask simple questions about when to file. Eventually found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an actual agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration dealing with the phone system.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
•How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be worth it to avoid the phone hell.
0 coins
Javier Cruz
•I don't remember the exact cost but it was totally worth it to actually talk to someone who could answer my questions properly instead of guessing.
0 coins
Malik Thomas
The whole system is so confusing honestly. I filed too early once and they told me I had to wait and refile. Then another time I waited too long and missed out on a week of benefits. There should be clearer instructions on the website about timing.
0 coins
Paolo Longo
•This is exactly why I'm asking here first! I don't want to mess up the timing and lose benefits or cause delays.
0 coins
Tony Brooks
Based on my experience, here's the exact timeline: File your initial claim application on the Monday after your last day of work (so the Monday after next Friday in your case). Once your claim is approved (usually takes 2-3 business days), you can then file your first weekly certification for that same week you became unemployed. The important thing is that you must be totally unemployed during the entire week you're claiming - so if Friday is your last day, you'd claim the full week starting that Monday. Don't overthink it - just make sure you have all your employment documentation ready and file as soon as you're eligible. The system will guide you through the process once you start.
0 coins
Nora Bennett
•This is super helpful, thank you Tony! So just to make sure I understand correctly - if my last day is this Friday, I would file the initial claim on Monday, and then once that's approved in a few days, I can file my weekly certification for that same Monday-Sunday week? And I'd be eligible for benefits for that full week even though I worked Friday of the previous week?
0 coins