New York Unemployment

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The unemployment insurance program provides benefits to individuals who have sufficient employment to establish a claim, have lost employment through no fault of their own, are ready, willing and able to work and are actively seeking work. If you have worked in New York State within the last eighteen months, you have the right to file a claim for benefits.

You must meet the qualifying conditions set by law in order to be eligible for benefits (see qualifying employment information in the above FAQ). You cannot receive unemployment benefits if you have less than the required work and wages to establish a claim.

Eligibility to benefits can only be determined once a claim has been filed and all of the required information has been obtained. Eligibility is determined based upon the New York State Unemployment Insurance Law and precedents of the Law as set by court decisions.

 

Find Out If You Are Eligible For Unemployment   Click this link to find out: Am I Eligible To Collect Unemployment Benefits?

Have Your Benefits Run Out?   Click this link to find out how to get an unemployment extension: Unemployment Extension

Have A Specific Question?   Get answers to all your New York Unemployment questions:  New York Unemployment FAQ

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for benefits if: 

  • You lost your job due to lack of work: the temporary or seasonal employment ended; your job was eliminated; there was an involuntary reduction in force; the company downsized or shutdown; the company restructured or reorganized, there was a lack of company operating funds/orders; or for any other business operating reason which resulted in your involuntary unemployment.
  • You were discharged or fired because you were unable to meet employer performance or production standards, or you were unable to meet employer's qualifications for the job.
  • You may be denied benefits if:
  • You were fired because your employer alleged that you violated a company policy, rule or procedure, such as absenteeism or insubordination; because of a disagreement or dispute with a boss or co-worker; or you were fired for any other reason.
  • You quit your job.
  • You are unemployed because of a work stoppage in the last 49 days which was conducted in violation of an existing collective bargaining agreement in the establishment in which you were employed. It is not necessary that you are actually participating in the strike, but only that you are not working because of the strike in the facility in which you worked. 

https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do

How Do I File For Unemployment Benefits?

File Online Here:   https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do

You may file a claim between the hours of 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday through Thursday (Eastern Time), Friday, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, all day Saturday, and Sunday until 7:00 pm.

You may claim benefits for last week between the hours of 7:30 am to midnight Sunday through Saturday.

New York State Department of Labor's (NYSDOL) website provides a safe, efficient way to file your claim for unemployment insurance benefits, claim your weekly benefits, or inquire about benefit payment status. NYSDOL is strongly committed to protecting your personal and employment information against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

Only the claimant is authorized to use this system. Allowing someone else to use this system is fraud on the part of the claimant and the user. You could lose up to 20 weeks of benefits if you allow another person to use your PIN or fraudulently claim for benefits.

If you are a person with a disability who is unable to access our services without the assistance of another person, you may allow another person to assist provided you are present each time the services are accessed including the entry of the PIN. You will be held accountable for the actions of your agent and may be subject to penalties including forfeiture of benefits if you are not present when your agent accesses our services.

The New York State Department of Labor does not discriminate in the delivery of its programs and services. Individuals with disabilities should advise our staff of any special needs.Hearing Impaired Individuals who have TTY/TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf equipment) may file a claim by calling a relay operator at 1-800-662-1220 and requesting the relay operator to call the Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-783-1370. TTY/TDD users may request the relay operator to call 1-877-205-3119 to certify for weekly benefits. Only callers with TDD equipment will receive service at these numbers.

https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do

Unemployment Office Contact Information

Address

New York State Department of Labor

P.O. Box 15130

Albany, NY 12212-5130

Website

https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do

Phone Numbers

1 (888) 209-8124

Or

1 (877)358-5306

Still Have Questions?

Get answers to all your New York Unemployment questions:  New York Unemployment FAQ 

 

Maybe We Can Help: 

If you can't find the answer to your question, you can fill out the comment form below and I will answer your question ASAP, or you can ask the The Unemployment Expert or you can post your question in the Unemployment Forum

Comments  

 
# Allison F. 2010-08-26 12:12
I am registered in NJ but am employed out of NYC. I believe I should be getting $405 a week but am only getting $241. How can I fix this?
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# Dale E 2010-09-22 13:18
I will be getting laid off from my seasonal job and i do noat have enough weeks in to collect ny state benefits. i moved from fl. to ny this past june and in FL i had 11 months of work. will i be able to combined both states and recieve benefits.
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# Alec 2010-10-08 13:12
I have been trying to get in touch with an at the unemployment office but to no I can actually talk to a and not listen to a machine?

Thank you!

Alec
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# Donald 2010-10-14 07:20
I did not recieve my benifits for week ending 9-28-10 and did not get through to the system and find out until 10-11-10. I did call in a claim for that week and did not work or recieve any income. How may I be able to recieve benifits for that week. Thank you.
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# joe 2010-10-14 11:00
i won't receive payments until i call 1 (877)358-5306 request credit for your waiting week. the problem is that the automation never tells me where to go to do this... how can i get this done speaking to an operator
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# jeannette 2011-07-06 13:52
Hi Joe,
Did you get an answer? I'm trying to speak to an operator also?
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# BILL F 2010-10-25 13:49
I HAVE WORKED FOR OVER 40 YRS, AND NOT COLLECTED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. DUE TO
THE ECONOMY I LOST MY JOB IN FEB 2009.
I HAD A HEART TRANSPLANT BUT RETURNED TO
WORK, AFTER THE TRANSPLANT. DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP SINCE THEN, I HAVE APPLIED FOR DISABLITIY, IF I
AM GRANTED DISABLITIY CAN I STILL COLLECT
UNEMPLOYMENT BENFITS?
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# SUZANNE 2010-11-29 12:48
Two weeks ago my employer of 9 yrs informed us that he was closing his company but another company was buying him out and we all should have jobs, he said that the new company would be coming around to give us offers 3 days the following week. The GM of the new company did come around but he just did a meet and greet and not to all employees. He handed out background checks and said they needed to be filled out, i explained to him I was not comfortable handing out my info to some company that hasnt offered me employment, he emailed me that the hr department requires this. Until I get something verbally or in writing I am mot willing to do this. I have applied at other jobs since learning of this, and have gone on an interview, so I am willing to work. my question will i qualify for unemployment until I find a new job?
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# John 2011-02-05 15:23
I am presemtly working and am collecting Social Security benefits. If i get laid off for lack of work, can i collect Unemployment benefits and Social Security benefits at the same time.
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# Deb 2011-03-14 08:19
Do you have to accept a temporary assignment if you are on extended benefits and if so, are you able to get unemployment after the assignment is complete?
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# BB 2011-09-06 09:16
yes you can.........
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# Paul 2011-05-12 08:52
My old employer was sent a questionaire about my past employment with them, How long do they have to return it? I filled out my questionaire online when I filed for benifits.
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# Louis 2011-07-17 10:39
If i was collecting unemployment {in NY state} and i was able to work full time for 8 months and no longer like to work for that agency and i quite could i go back to the claim i had befor i went back to work.
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# Louis 2011-07-17 10:44
If i was on unemployment for 10 months and found a full time job that i worked at for 8 months and then quite can i go back to unemployment under my old claim
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# anon 2011-09-29 18:26
no you can not get unemployment if you quit.
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# precious 2011-08-03 20:17
i have claimed unemployment benefits in the past i was approved and sent the card but i didnt understand how to collect my unemployment payment and destroyed the card am i able to collect those benefits now?
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# Kay 2011-08-12 10:12
Hi,
I am an airline employee and they are offering voluntary leaves for employees due to downsizing of routes and this way they will not have to furlough. I was wondering if I take a voluntary leave of absence if I qualify for unemployment benefits? I reside in Illinois but work out of NYC. I was told to contact NYC unemployment office but cannot speak to a live person to see if I qualify.
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# Kel 2011-08-19 17:50
Hi,

I recently quit my job in NY (at the end of May) and relocated to California because my partner found a new job position. Now I cannot find a job in California. Is there anyway I am eligible to collect unemployment in either California or in New York? Thanks.
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# Senad 2011-08-22 14:02
THIS IS SO RUDE AND UNBELIEVABLE !!!
PHONE SYSTEM IS SETUP SO THAT WE CAN JUST LISTEN STUPID INSTRUCTIONS AND WE CAN NOT SPEAK WITH OPERATOR !
VERY RUDE FROM UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE AND FROM STATE OF NEW YORK !!!!
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# shan 2011-10-04 11:56
If I was laid off from my job of two years and now work a season position which will be over in three weeks but i left early because i am going to school full time and doing an internship part time, will i loose my benefits?
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# c 2011-10-30 16:08
i was fired from my job after i was laid off i was called back and had to call in sick because i was having problems with my hip when my freind went to get my pay check they told her i was fired my boss didnt even call me i filed for unemployment but havent gotten any checks yet my boss wont answer the phone when i call him i think he was looking for a way to get rid of me i worked there for 9 yrs. before i was laid off the first timehe told me i was to old im 61yrs do u think this is discrimination and what can i do to get my unemployment i feel he is pushin me to early retirement can any one give me some answers i need money to live on im going to lose my car insurance soon if i dont get some answers then iwont have any transportaion help
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# Mark N. 2011-11-15 15:15
I work for a company covered by a 32BJ labor contract There is a possibility of a strike being called when the current contract ends on 12/31/2011. Will I be eligible for unemployment if the union gives us a small stipend?
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# Filomena 2012-01-02 23:40
I was collecting unemployment benefits from 5/30/2010 to 7/2/2011 i lost my job after 23 years due to company went out of business. I accepted a job offer and stopped claiming weekly benefits on july 2nd. My last day of employment with this new company was 12/28/11, I lost my position due to lack of work. What do I need to do? File a new unemployment claim? Would I be able to still collect from my original claim? Do I qualify for any benefits??
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