When do I claim unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I just got laid off yesterday from my retail job and I'm completely lost about the unemployment process. When exactly am I supposed to file my claim with NYS Department of Labor? Should I wait a few days or file immediately? Also when do the weekly claims start - is it right away or after my claim gets approved? I've never done this before and don't want to mess anything up.
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Lydia Bailey
File your initial claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. Don't wait! You can file online at labor.ny.gov or call their phone line. Your benefit year starts the week you file, not when you lost your job. For weekly claims, you'll start certifying the week after your initial claim is processed, usually within 2-3 business days.
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Marcus Patterson
•Thanks! So I should file today then? My last day was Wednesday. Do I need any specific documents ready?
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Mateo Warren
Yes file immediately! You'll need your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates worked), and your separation paperwork if you have it. The longer you wait to file, the longer you wait to potentially receive benefits. I made that mistake and lost a week of benefits when I got laid off last year.
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Sofia Price
•This is so helpful! I didn't know you could lose benefits by waiting too long.
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Alice Coleman
ugh the NYS Department of Labor system is such a pain to navigate though. took me forever to get through when i filed. kept getting error messages and then when i finally submitted it took like 2 weeks to hear anything back
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Owen Jenkins
•I had similar issues reaching them by phone when I needed to check my claim status. If you run into problems getting through to an agent, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.
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Lilah Brooks
Wait I'm confused about the timing too. If I file my claim today but my employer contests it, do I still get benefits while they investigate? Or do I have to wait until adjudication is finished? I keep reading different things online about pending claims.
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Lydia Bailey
•You typically won't receive payments while your claim is under adjudication if there's a separation issue being investigated. However, you should continue filing your weekly claims during this time so you don't lose those weeks if your claim is eventually approved. The adjudication process can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity.
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Jackson Carter
just wanted to say good luck with everything! getting laid off is rough but at least unemployment benefits can help bridge the gap while you look for something new
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