Things You'll Need:
- Social Security Number
- Driver's License Number
- Mailing Address
- Telephone Number
- Names and Addresses of Employers for the last 18 months.
-
Step 1
Qualify for benefits. You must have been working for at least two quarters of your base period and have earned at least $1,600.00 in wages. This is a base period claim. Talk to your local unemployment office to find out if they are currently accepting alternate base claims. Once wages are used to establish your claim, they cannot be used again for another claim. You must also have been working in New York sometime within the past 18 months.
-
Step 2
Lose employment by no fault of your own. You must be ready and willing to work, as well as be actively seeking a new job. To get unemployment in New York you must supply all of this information before a final answer can be given. Guessing doesn't help.
-
Step 3
Have a reason for applying. Reasons that will grant you unemployment compensation benefits in New York are: job loss due to no work available, seasonal ending of employment, downsized or closed company, reorganized comopany, lack of company funds, other business operating reasons for why you are out of work, being fired for not meeting performance and production standards, unable to meet employer qualifications, and possibly have to leave your job due to sexual harassment, or any other form of harassment after you have discussed the matter with your employer and they did not make arrangements to separate you from your harasser. This last part must be heard before a judge before a final ruling can be made.
-
Step 4
Understand why you might be denied. Some reasons of having your claim denied include: violating a company policy or rule, disagreements with co-workers and bosses, quitting your job, not working due to a strike going on in your place of work.
-
Step 5
File your claim within one week of unemployment to get unemployment in New York. You cannot file a week in advance. You must wait until the final day of work. If you are late applying and wish to receive benefits for time that you were not working but have not yet applied you can write a written request stating why you had not applied yet along with your name, address, number, social security number, and the period you are requesting compensation. No e-mails are accepted. Send your letter to:
New York State Department of Labor
Central Support Unit
P.O. Box 15130 Albany, New York 12212. -
Step 6
File your claim in the state that you worked. If you live in New York, but you worked in another state, your claim must be filed with the department of labor in that state.
-
Step 7
Apply for benefits even if you worked part-time. You will be able to gain partial benefits if you worked less than four days a week.
-
Step 8
Get unemployment in New York. The most you will get is 26 times your weekly rate for one year. Benefits only last one year.
-
Step 9
Apply online at the website listed below titled, "Unemployment Benefits Online." You can also call the office if you have any questions Toll-Free at 1-877-358-5306. This office is open from 8 to 5 weekdays.
