Why file for unemployment benefits with NYS Department of Labor - is it worth the hassle?
I got laid off from my retail job last week and everyone keeps telling me I should file for unemployment. Honestly I'm not sure if it's worth all the paperwork and requirements. I've heard horror stories about the NYS Department of Labor system being complicated and taking forever. Plus I'm already looking for new work so maybe I'll find something quick? Can someone explain why I should bother filing for unemployment benefits? What are the actual advantages besides just getting some money? I make decent tips so I'm worried they might not give me much anyway.
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CosmicCruiser
You absolutely should file! Even if you find work quickly, unemployment benefits provide crucial financial support during your job search. The NYS Department of Labor pays a percentage of your previous wages, and retail workers often qualify for more than they expect. Plus, you've been paying into the system through payroll taxes, so these are benefits you've already earned. The weekly claims process becomes routine once you get used to it, and you can continue filing while job searching.
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Diego Vargas
•I didn't realize I'd already paid into it through my paychecks. How much can I expect to get weekly? And do I have to report every job application I submit?
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Anastasia Fedorov
File immediately! The longer you wait, the more money you're losing. I made the mistake of waiting two weeks after my layoff thinking I'd find something fast. That cost me like $800 in benefits I could never get back. The NYS Department of Labor has a one-week waiting period anyway, so even if you start working again soon, you might still get a few weeks of payments. The job search requirements aren't that bad - just keep a simple log of where you apply.
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Sean Doyle
•Wait there's a waiting period? I thought you get paid right away once approved?
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Nope, there's always been a one week waiting period in NY. You file for that first week but don't get paid for it unless you're on unemployment for a while.
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Zara Rashid
honestly the nys department of labor system is such a pain!! took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more verification documents. but once it got going i was getting like $320 a week which really helped with rent and stuff. just be prepared for lots of phone calls and paperwork
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Diego Vargas
•Six weeks?! That's crazy. What kind of documents did they want? I hope I don't run into that problem.
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Luca Romano
If you're having trouble getting through to the NYS Department of Labor by phone to check on your claim status or resolve any issues, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Really helped when my claim got stuck in adjudication and I needed answers.
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Nia Jackson
•Never heard of that but might be worth trying if I run into phone issues. The regular NYS Department of Labor number is always busy when I've called other agencies.
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NebulaNova
File now! I was in retail management for years and the benefits calculation includes your base pay plus averaged tips if they were reported. Don't assume you won't qualify for a decent amount. Plus unemployment gives you time to find a GOOD job instead of just taking the first thing that comes along. The job search requirements are pretty reasonable - usually 3 contacts per week and they accept online applications.
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Diego Vargas
•That's a good point about having time to find something better. I was worried about the job search requirements but 3 contacts a week sounds totally doable.
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Sean Doyle
definitely file! my cousin waited and regretted it so much. even if you only get benefits for a month it's still free money you earned. just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week or you lose that week's payment
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