@Chloe Anderson - I can totally relate to your situation! I was laid off from my first retail job about 18 months ago and had all the same worries you're having. I kept putting off filing because I was scared it would somehow hurt my chances of getting hired elsewhere or affect my credit. Turns out those fears were completely unfounded! The process was actually much simpler than I expected, and having that weekly income took so much pressure off my job search. I was able to be more selective and ended up finding a position with better hours and pay than my previous job. The 3 weekly job contacts requirement isn't bad at all - I just kept a simple spreadsheet with company names, positions, and dates. What really helped me was reframing it as using a benefit I'd already earned through working, not asking for a handout. Don't make the same mistake I did by waiting - I lost out on almost 3 weeks of benefits because I was overthinking it. File today and give yourself the financial breathing room to find something great instead of settling for the first thing that comes along out of desperation. You've got this!

@Chloe Anderson - I was in your exact situation about a year ago (first time unemployed, laid off from retail) and I totally get the anxiety about filing! But honestly, everyone here is giving you spot-on advice - there are genuinely no downsides to filing for unemployment benefits in NY. I was worried about the same things (credit impact, future employers seeing it) but none of that is actually a concern. The job search requirement is really the only "requirement" and it's totally reasonable - 3 contacts per week that you log when filing your weekly claim online. What I wish someone had told me is that you can actually use unemployment strategically - instead of rushing into any job out of panic, having that income buffer lets you be more thoughtful about your next career move. I ended up finding a position with better benefits and growth opportunities because I wasn't desperate. The biggest mistake would be waiting any longer - you're literally losing money every day you don't file, and you can't get those weeks back retroactively. These are benefits you've earned through working and paying into the system. Head to labor.ny.gov today and get your claim started - you'll probably feel relieved once you do it!

Sofia, I went through something very similar! I was laid off due to company restructuring and waited almost a month before applying because I thought I needed to find another job first. Big mistake! Like others have said, you qualify for benefits from the day you were laid off due to budget cuts. When I finally applied, they were able to backdate my claim to my separation date, so I didn't lose those weeks completely. The online application at my.ny.gov is pretty straightforward - just have your employer information, dates of employment, and reason for separation ready. One tip: start documenting your job search activities now if you haven't been keeping track. Even though they can backdate the monetary eligibility, you'll need to show ongoing work search efforts going forward. Don't beat yourself up about the delay - just get that application started today!

Sofia, you've gotten great advice here! I just wanted to add that when you file your claim on my.ny.gov, make sure you have all your employment information ready - your employer's name and address, your dates of employment, your gross wages from your last few quarters, and the specific reason for separation (budget cuts/layoff). The system will ask for detailed information about your work history. Also, once you start receiving benefits, you'll need to certify weekly online - this is where you'll report your job search activities and any work or income you had that week. Set a reminder for yourself to do this every week because missing a certification can delay your payments. Don't let the initial wait time discourage you either - it can take 2-3 weeks to process, but you'll get paid retroactively once approved. You've got this!

OMG I'm so glad you asked this question! I've been freaking out about the same thing. Just lost my job at a restaurant downtown and filed last Friday. Been googling constantly trying to figure out if I'd have to wait a whole week with no income. This thread is so helpful - I was about to panic.

Just wanted to confirm what others have said - NY definitely eliminated the waiting week back in March 2020 and it's been permanent since then. I went through this process about 6 months ago and got paid starting from my first eligible week. The 10 days you've waited is totally normal for initial processing. NYS DOL usually takes 2-3 weeks for that first payment to hit your account, especially if you're doing direct deposit setup for the first time. Keep doing those weekly certifications and you should see movement soon. If it goes past 3 weeks total, that's when I'd start making some calls.

Diego, I'm going through the exact same thing right now at my diner job! Hours dropped from 32 to about 14 per week due to slow business after the holidays. I was so worried about filing because I thought having ANY job would disqualify me, but partial unemployment has been a lifesaver. The whole process is honestly way less scary than I built it up in my head. You just file online, then report your weekly hours and earnings (including all tips) when you certify each week. The system does all the math for you - you don't have to figure out the complicated formulas everyone talks about. What's been super helpful for me is screenshotting my work schedule each week and keeping a running note on my phone of daily tips. Makes the weekly reporting so much easier when I have everything right there. Your restaurant situation is exactly what this program exists for - don't feel bad about using it! I've been getting partial benefits for about 6 weeks now and it's made the difference between making rent or not. Seriously, stop overthinking it like I did and just file. The worst thing that can happen is they say no, but based on what you've described, you'll definitely qualify.

Diego, I was in your exact situation about 8 months ago when my bartending hours got slashed from 40+ to barely 20 per week. The partial unemployment system in NY literally saved me from falling behind on rent! Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: Yes, you can absolutely file even while working part-time - that's exactly what partial benefits are for. You'll report your weekly earnings (wages + tips) and NYS DOL automatically calculates your partial benefit. The sweet spot is you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $50 before benefits start getting reduced significantly. What made the biggest difference for me was filing immediately instead of waiting to see if hours would pick back up. I lost almost a month of potential benefits by hesitating. The weekly certification process becomes super routine - I set a phone reminder for Sunday nights and it takes maybe 5 minutes once you get the hang of it. Keep detailed records of your schedule changes and any communication from your manager about the hour cuts - DOL might want to see that documentation. Your restaurant situation with reduced hours due to slow business is textbook eligibility for partial unemployment. Don't overthink this - the system exists specifically to help people like us bridge the gap when work hours get cut through no fault of our own!

I had this exact same issue a few months ago! What worked for me was calling the NYS Department of Labor claims line at (888) 209-8124 first thing in the morning - I'd recommend calling right at 8:00 AM sharp on a Tuesday or Wednesday like others mentioned. When you get through, explain that you're missing payment for your first week and ask them to review your claim history. The rep was able to see that my first week got stuck in processing and manually pushed it through. Also, make sure to have your confirmation number from when you first filed ready - they'll likely ask for it. It took about 2 weeks after the call for the payment to hit my account, but I did get the full amount including the $300 federal supplement that was active at the time. Don't give up - that money is rightfully yours!

I went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago! The trick is to call the NYS DOL at (888) 209-8124 right at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday - avoid Mondays at all costs. When I finally got through (took about 45 minutes of calling), the representative was able to see that my first week got stuck in their system during the initial processing. She explained that sometimes when claims need manual review or there's a slight delay in approval, that first week doesn't automatically get added to your payment queue even though you're eligible for it. The rep manually released the payment and I received it about 10 days later. Make sure you have your SSN, confirmation number from your initial application, and the exact dates of that first week ready. Also, be prepared to explain that you've been receiving regular payments but noticed the very first week you claimed is missing from your payment history. Don't let them tell you to just file online - this requires manual intervention from their end. Good luck!