How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits with the New York Department of Labor?

In a nutshell: Losing a job can be very stressful, especially when trying to manage finances. In New York, applying for unemployment benefits promptly is crucial; claims should be filed within a week to avoid losing benefits. Eligibility requires that the job loss was not your fault, and you must actively seek work while being physically and

Introduction

Losing your job is stressful in many different ways, not least of which is the stress of trying to make ends meet while looking for another job. If you live in New York and recently became unemployed, you should learn how to apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible, to help eliminate at least that particular source of stress.

What You'll Need

You need to move fast. File your claim within a week of becoming unemployed or you risk losing some or all of your unemployment benefits.To be qualified for unemployment benefit in New York, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. If you were fired for cause, you do not qualify for benefits.You must be actively looking for work.You must be physically and mentally ready to work.You must also be able to attend meetings at your assigned Career Center.You cannot get unemployment benefits if you did not work at the company for a long enough time and earn enough money to qualify. These standards change from time to time, but frequently include working at least two quarters out of the year and earned at least a few thousand dollars in one of those quarters.

Go to the New York government sign in page and enter your username and password to sign in to your ny.gov account.

New York government sign in page

Go to the Department of Labor home page..

Department of Labor home page

Click on the File a Claim button.

Read the instructions you are shown then click the Continue button.

Enter your social security number in the text field provided.

Choose a PIN for your unemployment claim.

When prompted, enter your mother's maiden name in the text field provided.

This will be used as a security question, if one is ever needed.

Read the Terms and Conditions.

Answer the questions you are asked about your previous employment.

Follow the prompts to finish the certification process.

Select the payment option you wish to use to receive your unemployment benefits.

Review your claim to make sure that all of the information you provided was accurate.

Click the Submit button.

Print out the confirmation page you are taken to, it contains important information.

Wait to find out if you qualify for unemployment benefits.

If you do, you should receive your first unemployment payment in two to three weeks. When you do, you will also be paid for any previous weeks you were waiting. However, you will not receive any benefits for the first week, as this is classified as a "waiting week."
If you are denied unemployment benefits, you can request a hearing to get your case reheard.

Conclusion

If you have any questions while you are waiting, call a New York Department of Labor customer service representative. The customer service office is open from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm EST from Monday through Friday. It is not open on weekends.

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