Where to go to file for unemployment near me - NYS Department of Labor locations or online?
I just got laid off from my warehouse job yesterday and need to file for unemployment ASAP. I'm not sure if I should go to a physical NYS Department of Labor office or if I can do everything online. Are there any local offices near Syracuse that are still open for in-person filing? Or is it better to just use the my.ny.gov website? I've never filed for UI before and I'm worried about messing something up on the online application.
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Ava Garcia
You definitely want to file online through my.ny.gov - it's much faster and the NYS Department of Labor has streamlined the process. Most local offices are appointment-only now and mainly handle appeals or complex cases. The online application walks you through everything step by step. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready before you start.
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Dmitry Popov
•Thanks! Do I need to wait until Monday to file or can I do it over the weekend?
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StarSailor}
filed mine online last month and it was pretty straightforward just make sure you answer all the questions correctly about why you lost your job
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Miguel Silva
The Syracuse Career Center on South State Street can help if you run into issues, but honestly the online system works fine for most people. You can file your claim 24/7 on my.ny.gov. The key is to file as soon as possible - you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually apply. Once you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to continue getting payments.
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Dmitry Popov
•Good to know about filing ASAP. How long does it usually take to get approved and start receiving payments?
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Miguel Silva
•If everything goes smoothly, you should get your first payment within 2-3 weeks. But if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer. That's why it's important to answer all questions accurately the first time.
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Zainab Ismail
I've been trying to reach the NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my claim that's stuck in adjudication and can never get through on the phone. The hold times are insane and half the time they just hang up on you. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a real person there?
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Connor O'Neill
•I had the same problem last month until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I was skeptical at first but it actually got me connected to an agent the same day and they resolved my adjudication issue.
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Yara Nassar
Just want to add that you should also register with the job search system while you're at it. The NYS Department of Labor requires you to do job search activities every week to keep getting benefits. It's all connected to your unemployment account.
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