Just to add some clarity here - while you do have up to one year to file your initial claim in NY, there are some important things to keep in mind. If you're eligible for benefits, you'll typically receive payments for up to 26 weeks (though this can vary based on economic conditions). The key thing is that your benefit year starts when you file, not when you lost your job. So if you wait 6 weeks to file like you did, you're essentially losing 6 weeks of potential benefits. Also make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file - previous employer details, dates of employment, reason for separation, etc. The process isn't as overwhelming as it seems once you get started!

I'm in a similar situation - got laid off about 4 weeks ago and have been procrastinating on filing. Reading all these responses is really motivating me to just bite the bullet and do it this week! It sounds like the online application through my.ny.gov is the way to go. Quick question though - when you file, do you need to already be actively job searching or can you start looking after you submit your claim? I've been doing some casual browsing but haven't really ramped up my search yet.

just got my back pay too!! 5 weeks worth came through yesterday, definitely helped catch up on bills

Just wanted to add that when you get your back pay, make sure to double check the dates and amounts against your claim history. I got mine last month but there was an error where they counted one week twice and missed another week entirely. Had to call and get it sorted out, but they fixed it pretty quickly once I got through to someone. Also worth noting that if you had any part-time work during those waiting weeks, they'll calculate the back pay with those earnings deducted, so don't be surprised if it's less than your full weekly benefit amount times the number of weeks.

Omg are you me??? This LITERALLY just happened to me last week! I freaked out but then my payment came through normally anyway. I think its just the system being glitchy af as usual.

Hey! I went through something similar a few months ago. The system randomly flagged me as "working" when I definitely wasn't. Turns out it was because I had done a one-time freelance gig like 6 months earlier and somehow the system got confused about the dates. Even though you said you haven't worked at all, double-check if there's ANY income from anywhere - even like selling something on Facebook Marketplace or getting paid back for something. Sometimes the system picks up on weird stuff. But honestly, if you were able to certify and answered truthfully, you'll probably get paid normally. The NY system is notorious for these random glitches that fix themselves. Just keep screenshots of everything in case you need to prove what happened later!

This whole system is so stressful!! I'm constantly worried about running out of money before I find something. The job market is still tough out there.

One thing that helped me track my remaining weeks was creating a simple spreadsheet when I first filed. I marked down my start date (the Sunday of the week I filed) and counted out 26 weeks from there. Also keep in mind that if you do any part-time work while collecting, those earnings might extend your benefit period slightly since you'd still be using up weeks but getting reduced payments. The key is to stay organized and keep all your documentation - I saved screenshots of my weekly certifications just in case there were ever any disputes about my claim.

the my.ny.gov site is pretty good for checking status but sometimes it takes a while to update... mine showed pending for like 2 weeks then suddenly switched to approved

@Carmen Vega - I just went through this same process last month! The online portal at my.ny.gov is definitely your best bet for checking status. When you log in, look for the "Unemployment Services" section and then "View Claim Status." It will show you exactly where your claim stands in the process. Also, don't forget to keep certifying for weekly benefits even while your initial claim is being reviewed - you can do this through the same portal. The system is designed so you won't lose any weeks of benefits as long as you keep certifying. Hope this helps and good luck with your claim!