Where to apply for unemployment online - NYS Department of Labor website issues?
I got laid off yesterday and need to apply for unemployment benefits but I'm having trouble figuring out exactly where to go online. I keep seeing different websites mentioned - is it my.ny.gov or labor.ny.gov? When I tried to create an account on my.ny.gov it kept timing out. Are there specific hours when the NYS Department of Labor website works better? Really stressed about getting this filed correctly and on time.
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Mateo Warren
You need to go to my.ny.gov and create an account there first. That's the main portal for all NYS Department of Labor services now. Once you're logged in, look for the 'Unemployment Insurance Services' section. The website can be slow during peak hours (mornings and evenings) so try mid-afternoon if possible.
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Lydia Bailey
•Thanks! Should I have all my employment history ready before I start the application?
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Mateo Warren
•Yes definitely. You'll need your last employer's info, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Also have your SSN and driver's license handy.
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Sofia Price
ugh that website is such a pain!! took me like 3 tries to get through the whole application without it crashing
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Alice Coleman
The official NYS Department of Labor application is only available through my.ny.gov - don't use any other websites claiming to help you apply as they might be scams. Make sure you're on the legitimate .gov site. After you submit your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims to continue receiving benefits.
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Owen Jenkins
•How long does it usually take to hear back after you submit the application?
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Alice Coleman
•Initial determination letters are typically sent within 2-3 weeks, but it can take longer if your claim needs adjudication or if there are any issues with your employment history.
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Lilah Brooks
I had so much trouble reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor when my application got stuck. Kept calling and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at the unemployment office. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration.
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Lydia Bailey
•That sounds helpful - did they charge you anything for it?
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Lilah Brooks
•They do charge a fee but it was worth it for me since I couldn't get through any other way and needed to resolve an issue with my claim status.
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