If you have been fired or laid off from your job in New York, you may be able to collect unemployment payments.Weekly payments are based on a fraction of the salary you had been earning before you got laid off.After losing your job, you need to apply quickly.You can apply by telephone or online.You have to check in weekly with the unemployment office to continue receiving payments.
Step 1: Don't lose your job through fault of your own.
You must be out of work to be eligible for unemployment benefits.The loss of your job is not caused by you.If your position is no longer needed or if your employer has decided to reduce the size of the work staff, you are eligible.If you participated in wrongdoing that led to your firing, you wouldn't be eligible.
Step 2: It's necessary to have enough prior earnings from your job.
State unemployment insurance is paid for by a portion of your paycheck.You have to work a minimum amount of time to be eligible for unemployment benefits.The labor office uses a table to calculate eligibility and benefits.To be eligible for unemployment, you must have worked and been paid at least two calendar quarters.Three months is a quarter.If you can demonstrate that you were employed for two three-month quarters, this requirement doesn't need to be a consecutive six months of the year.You need to have been paid at least $1,900 in one quarter.This is not an average.You will have to show paychecks that fall within a three-month period.You have to make your total payment at least 1.5 times the amount that you made in the highest-paying quarter.If you earn $4,000 in a three month period, the total for four quarters must be at least $6,000.
Step 3: You must be willing and able to work immediately.
You are not eligible to collect unemployment benefits if you are medically unable to work.You need to be ready to work in the process of looking for work.You risk losing your unemployment benefits if you decline work at any time during the benefits period.You can still get support if you are unable to work.If you were injured on the job, you could file a worker's compensation claim.You need to speak with the personnel manager at your place of employment.You may be eligible for social security disability benefits if you have other medical disabilities.The New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has a website.
Step 4: You should submit your initial claim as soon as you can.
Within the first week after you lose your job, you should contact the unemployment office to file your initial claim.The sooner you file, the quicker the unemployment agency can check your information, verify your claim and begin the process of paying your benefits.
Step 5: You can file the initial claim online.
You can submit your claim for unemployment insurance online.You need to access the website for unemployment.Choose Unemployment Insurance, file a new claim, and then create a NY.gov account from that home page.In order to return to this site and manage your account in the future, you'll need to create a userid and password.
Step 6: You can file your initial claim by phone.
If you don't have access to the internet, you can file your claim by telephone.During regular business hours, the telephone claim center is toll-free.The phone number is unlisted.If you file by phone, translation services are available.You can choose the language that you want from the recording.Information can be found in Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Creole, Korean and Polish.There are other languages that may be available as well.
Step 7: Before you apply, make sure you have the necessary information.
You need certain information to initiate your claim.When you call or get online, you should have this information with you.If you don't have everything, you can open your account and file a claim, but your initial benefit payments will be delayed until you provide all the information.You need Social Security Number, Driver's license or motor vehicle ID card number, Complete mailing address, and Telephone number.
Step 8: Wait one full week after applying before benefits start accruing.
You have to wait one full week before your unemployment benefits start.If you work during this week, your benefits will be delayed and you will have to serve a second waiting week.
Step 9: Each week, file a claim.
You have to claim your benefits every week.You can claim your benefits by phone or online.The week that ended on Sunday is when most people claim their benefits.You will be asked a series of questions to verify your continuing eligibility.You have to answer all questions honestly.You can claim your benefits online at www.labor.ny.gov/signin.When you visit this site for the first time, you will be asked to create an online account.Your private account will be opened with an online userid and password.To get to your account, you need to enter the userid and password.You can claim your benefits by phone.A telephone recording will prompt you to provide your personal identification number, and then answer the certifying questions.
Step 10: You have to wait three to six weeks before you can collect benefits.
After a week of waiting, your unemployment benefits will start accruing.You won't receive payment for at least three or six weeks from the date of your initial claim.The state can confirm your eligibility and verify the amount of your benefits with this additional time.You need to keep submitting claims even though you are not getting paid yet.
Step 11: You can register for payments.
Unemployment benefits used to be made by check.Direct deposit into your bank account is the only way to collect unemployment benefits.Before your payments begin, you need to register for one of the methods.Direct deposit is available on the unemployment office website.You can enter your own account information from that site.If you give your bank account information, you can manage how you will receive payments.You will need to make your initial request by telephone or through the online account to claim your benefits.You need to tell the labor office that you want to be paid with a debit card when you file your initial claim request.Automatic updates will be sent when each week's benefits are issued, after you've been issued a card for seven to ten days.
Step 12: Check the status of your benefit payments.
Each week's payments can be verified with your online account.You can monitor your account at www.labor.ny.gov/individualreg.You will be able to see when your payments are deposited.You can submit inquiries if you notice discrepancies with payments.