New York Unemployment Application

New York Unemployment Application

How to apply for New York unemployment benefits

Apply Online

CALL: 1-888-209-8124 for New York State residents (or 1-877-358-5306 for out of state residents) between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

This is a toll-free call. If you choose to file your claim by phone, an automated voice will offer you the choice of filing in English, Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Creole, or “all other languages” (translation services will be provided).

Listen to the choices carefully and enter the appropriate number on your telephone’s numeric keypad to file a claim. If you have never filed a claim for benefits in New York State, you will be asked to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This will be a four-digit number that you must keep confidential.

Hearing impaired individuals, who have Telephone Device for the Deaf (TTY/TDD) equipment, may file a claim by calling a relay operator at 1-800-662-1220 and requesting the operator to call 1-888-783-1370. Service at this number will only be provided to callers using TDD equipment.

Visit a NY Job Center

Applying for NY Unemployment 

New Yorkers who have lost a job through no fault of their own should apply for New York unemployment insurance benefits as soon as possible. The process is fairly straightforward, but you’ll need to make sure you understand all the steps and have all the necessary documentation before you begin. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, step by step.

Information to gather before applying

You’ll need several key pieces of information to apply for New York unemployment insurance benefits, and it’s wise to gather it all in advance so that you can submit your claim smoothly and easily. Here are some of the key pieces of information you’ll need:

  • Your driver’s license or Motor Vehicle ID number
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your Alien Registration card number if you are not a U.S. Citizen
  • Your complete contact information, including your mailing address and a telephone number where you can be reached with questions about your unemployment claim
  • Complete information, including supervisor’s names and company mailing addresses, for every employer you’ve worked for during the past 18 months
  • If you were a federal employee, copies of forms SF8 and SF50
  • If you have separated from military service, a copy of your most recent DD214 form
  • The Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number of your most recent employer. This information should be found on your most recent W-2 form.
  • The routing and account numbers of your bank account if you intend to set up your UI benefits as direct deposit

Having all of this information readily at hand helps you avoid unnecessary delays in getting your application for unemployment insurance benefits submitted. It also helps the state of New York more readily assess your claim. Any information that you are missing can cause delays after your claim is submitted. Submitting the right documentation also makes it easy for the state to verify your New York unemployment eligibility.

How to apply by phone

While the state of New York recommends submitting any new claim for unemployment assistance online, that option simply isn’t available to everyone. If you need to submit your unemployment claim by phone, you also may take that route. You will be asked to create a PIN if this is your first time filing a claim.

To submit by phone, you can call New York’s Telephone Claims Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 888-209-8124.

For TTY or TDD users, you’ll need to first connect with a relay operator at 800-662-1220 and ask them to call 888-783-1370.

Video Relay Service users contact their relay operator and ask them to call 888-783-1370.

How to create a PIN

When you file over the phone, you are required to create a PIN. You will need this number any time you call with questions about your initial claim and/or to file your New York unemployment weekly claim. If you forget your PIN, you can call the Telephone Claims Center to reset it. Just choose the PIN or Address Changes option when prompted.

If you submitted your initial claim online but later need to call the Telephone Claim Center about your claim by telephone, you will be prompted at that point to create a PIN.

How to apply online

Applying for traditional unemployment benefits online is the quickest and easiest way to do so. You’ll simply go to labor.ny.gov/signin and select Sign In.

Best times for filing claims online:

  • 7:30 am to 7:30 pm – Monday through Thursday
  • 7:30 am to 5:00 pm – Fridays
  • 12:01 am Saturday to midnight on Sunday – Weekends

Timing for claiming benefits

  • Sunday 12:01 am to midnight
  • Monday to Friday – 07:30 am to midnight
  • Saturday from 12:01 a.m. to midnight

How to create an NY.gov ID

To file a claim online, you must have an NY.gov ID. This allows you to submit a new claim, file your weekly certification online, check the status of your claim, and access other online features.

You can set up an NY.gov account at labor.ny.gov/signin. Once you navigate to the site, you can select Create NY.gov Account and follow the prompts to set up your account. Please note that this ID is separate from your telephone PIN.

Once complete, your NY.gov ID can be used to access services offered by other New York State agencies, in addition to your UI benefits. You’ll also use it to submit your claim each week that certifies your continued compliance with New York unemployment work search requirements.

If you have any trouble setting up your account, you can call the Department of Labor Contact Center at 800-833-3000 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Option 2 will connect you with a customer service representative who can help you solve your issue.

Set up your payment method

When you set up your online account and submit your initial claim, you will be able to choose how you would like to receive your unemployment compensation. You can either have your weekly benefits deposited directly into your bank account each week or you may choose to have them loaded onto a debit card. Simply indicate your choice when prompted within the online system.

If you submit your claim over the phone, you automatically will receive weekly benefits via a debit card each week unless you have a previous claim on file and you received weekly benefits for that claim by direct deposit. You can use our New York unemployment calculator to estimate your unemployment benefit amount.

What if my NY application is denied?

It’s not uncommon for an initial claim to be denied for many different reasons. If you receive notification that your unemployment claim wasn’t approved, you can file an appeal.

Your appeal serves as a formal request for a hearing that typically is held before an impartial Administrative Law Judge who represents the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. You can submit your appeal request through your online account by choosing the option Claimant Request for Hearing and following the prompts.

Or, you can mail a formal hearing request to:

New York State Department of Labor
P.O. Box 15131
Albany, NY 12212-5131

Please note: Your request must be postmarked within 30 days of receiving your formal determination letter. Your appeal hearing likely will be scheduled between 15 and 30 days after your request is made.

You will receive the Administrative Law Judge’s opinion soon after participating in your hearing. If you continue to disagree with the decision, you may appeal further directly to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The letter you receive after your hearing will outline instructions for submitting a further appeal. Following the Appeal Board’s decision, your next resource will be appealing to the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Third Department.

  1. The website will not let me apply stating that my social security number is invalid which is totally erroneous. There’s no one to talk to about the matter and no consultation is off with whatsoever What am I to do in this situation

    • Henry,

      To qualify, a claimant is required to have active employment and earnings in the last 4-5 calendar quarters. Please use the “Benefits Calculator” available on this website.

  2. I am unemployment for a medical condiccion,in my last job I am working for one year, one month past since I am unable to work , and not beneffit recived. can I clain for unemploymen.

    • Unfortunately, personal reasons such as health conditions are generally not considered. Please call the Unemployment Office.

  3. My last day at my location were I worked was April 27th.Was replaced by a machine.My employer gave me my week vacation I have coming to me but they don’t have another location for me. I was asked to cover vacations of other employees but that won’t start till July. Will I be able to collect unemployment while not working?

    • You seem to be still on the payroll of the company. I am not sure if you qualify under such circumstances. Please contact the Unemployment Office.

  4. I want to apply for unemployement.I started this job 28th Sep 2017.MY LAST WORKING DATE WILL BE 23 MAR 2018.Im living in Brooklyn. Please ADVISE ME FOR THIS MATTAER.

  5. what a difficult time for me I recently used my email address to obtain my 93 year old mothers social security payment 2016 for her tax deduction I am her son and power of attorney now I cannot file for unemployment and user name etc.

    • Guichong,

      A pin is a number used to access the claims system. To get yours, please call the Claims Center at the phone numbers provided.

  6. I would like to know If I can apply for unemployment not because I got fired but because the firm where I work requires to have a valid work permit and mine will expire on the 27 of November, would I be eligible to apply until I have a valid work authorization and under what circumstance would I apply ? Please help me I’m desperate because I will also be having a baby on Dec 19, 2017.

    • Jessica,

      You may not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons. Please confirm by calling the Unemployment Office in your state.

  7. Can I claim unemployment benefits if I am a 2015 master graduate and I never work in US? Currently searching for a NYC job

    • Miss,

      To be eligible for UI, the claimant is required to have active employment earnings in the last 4-5 calendar quarters. Please contact the Unemployment Office.

  8. I have been out of work for nearly four years due to a work related injury. I believe my case is soon to be closed. I am worried that I will not be able to find employment right away and may be facing a period of not having any income. If my workers compensation benefits end before I have found employment can I be eligible for unemployment?

    • The basic rule to claim Unemployment Insurance benefits is active employment in the last 4-5 calendar quarters which you don’t seem to have.

      You will not qualify under this scheme. Please call the Unemployment Office for further details.

  9. I log for Future Forestry and due to weather conditions am unable to get 40 hours plus like I have been getting for the past almost 8 months. Can I file for unemployment?

    • I am not sure if you’re eligible under such conditions. Please call the Unemployment Office in your state for further details and apply accordingly.

  10. I can’t log in to view my claim and keep getting disconnected when I call.
    I need a copy of my denial letter how do I get this?

  11. Will I create a problem if I have a new obtained real estate license before filing for unemployment, or if I get a new licence while on unemployment benefits, I have not earned any money from real estate ??

  12. I filed for unemployment in ny I had enough time required after waiting 4 weeks they told me I had made too much the last week that I have to refile. so do i go back to the same date i got laid off?i am confused.

  13. I was hired on 7/2012 as a part timer. Part timer do about 18 hrs a week, but i was doing 32 to 35 hrs a week for over a year.Am’I eligible for unemployment.

    • the last 5 years I HAVE PART TIME JOB 30/36HR EVERY WEEK AND THE LAST 2 YEARS I HAVE SS BENEFIT IS POSSIBLE APPLY FOR UNMPLOYMENT BENEFIT ?

      • Carlos,

        To be eligible, you’re required to have active full-time employment and required earnings during the “Base” period. Since you’re also drawing SS, please call the Unemployment Office to check if you’re eligible.

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