Where can I go to apply for unemployment benefits in NY?
I just lost my job last week and need to figure out where to apply for unemployment benefits. I've never done this before and I'm not sure if I need to go somewhere in person or if I can do it online. Can someone tell me where I should go to apply for unemployment? I live in upstate NY if that makes a difference.
11 comments
Join the conversation
Jamal Wilson
You need to apply online through the NYS Department of Labor website at labor.ny.gov. There's no need to go anywhere in person - everything is done electronically now. You'll create an account on my.ny.gov first, then access the unemployment services from there. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and information about your last employer when you apply.
0 coins
Zoe Papanikolaou
•Thank you! Do I need to have anything else ready besides those documents? Like pay stubs or tax forms?
0 coins
Mei Lin
The online system is pretty straightforward. You'll need your employment history for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Having your last few pay stubs handy helps but isn't required for the initial application. The system will walk you through everything step by step.
0 coins
Liam Fitzgerald
•yeah the website is easy to use, took me like 20 minutes when i applied last year
0 coins
GalacticGuru
I tried calling the NYS Department of Labor office when I needed help with my application but could never get through - the phone lines are always busy. If you run into issues with the online application, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a live agent at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. It was a lifesaver when I needed to talk to someone about my claim status.
0 coins
Amara Nnamani
•Never heard of that but anything is better than sitting on hold for hours with no one picking up
0 coins
Giovanni Mancini
Just a heads up - make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's a waiting week before you can start receiving benefits. Also you'll need to file weekly claims every week even if your initial application is still being processed. The NYS Department of Labor website has all the instructions but it can be confusing at first.
0 coins
Zoe Papanikolaou
•What do you mean by weekly claims? Is that something different from the initial application?
0 coins
Jamal Wilson
•Yes, after you file your initial claim you have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work. You do this online through the same my.ny.gov portal where you filed your original application.
0 coins
Connor O'Brien
I went through this process about 6 months ago when I was laid off. One thing I wish someone had told me is to take screenshots of your confirmation pages after you submit everything - the system can be glitchy sometimes and it's good to have proof you filed on time. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, gather all that info before you start because the application will time out if you take too long looking things up. Good luck with your application!
0 coins
Jade Lopez
•That's really helpful advice about taking screenshots! I wouldn't have thought of that. Did you run into any issues with the system timing out? I'm worried about getting halfway through and losing everything.
0 coins