Home Checklists Your checklist after losing a job in New York Your checklist after losing a job in New York What to collect and check in the first two weeks after you're fired or laid off. Tick off what you have; you can print, copy or save the list.
How to use it Tick what you already have, then print or copy the list; your ticks are remembered in this browser. “Required” items are needed by law or by the process; “Recommended” and “Optional” ones help depending on your situation.
Your final paycheck, including every hour you worked Required In New York, final wages are due no later than your next regular payday Written notice from your employer of your exact last day and when your benefits (like health insurance) end Required New York employers must give this in writing within five working days after your job ends Pay stubs and W-2s covering roughly the last 18 months Required Unemployment eligibility and the weekly amount are based on your past earnings File your unemployment claim with the New York State Department of Labor Required File in the first week you're out of work — waiting can cost you weeks of benefits Record of Employment (Form IA 12.3) from your employer Recommended Employers are supposed to give it when you leave; it helps with your unemployment claim Your offer letter, employee handbook and any written vacation or PTO policy Recommended Whether unused vacation must be paid out usually depends on the written policy Your unused vacation or PTO balance (from your last pay stub or the HR portal) Recommended Notes on the termination: date, who was there, what reason was given Recommended Write them down now, while you remember the details Copies of reviews, emails and messages about your work — only ones you're allowed to keep Recommended Health coverage plan: continuation coverage notice, or a NY State of Health application Recommended Losing job-based coverage generally opens a 60-day window to enroll in a marketplace plan Any severance agreement — read it before signing, and don't sign on the spot Optional It may ask you to give up legal claims; if you're 40 or older, federal law generally gives you at least 21 days to consider it and 7 days to change your mind after signing Your 401(k) or retirement account details and a contact for the plan Optional 0 of 12 checked Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
This checklist is general information, not legal advice. If a case is already in court or a deadline is close, talk to a lawyer or legal aid.