Apply for Unemployment Insurance in New York State Online using this service.
Unemployment Insurance is temporary income:
- For eligible workers
- Who lose their jobs
- Through no fault of their own
To collect benefits, you must be ready, willing, and able to work, and actively looking for work during each week in which you are claiming benefits.
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must have worked and earned enough wages in covered employment. In New York State, employers pay contributions that fund Unemployment Insurance. It is not deducted from your paycheck. The Department of Labor decides if you qualify for benefits.
FAQs
What is the maximum amount of benefits I can receive in New York State?
Although your claim lasts one year (your benefit year), during that time you can only receive 26 times your full weekly rate. The same amount of money applies for weeks of partial unemployment.
How can I estimate my weekly Unemployment Insurance benefit amount in New York State?
You can use the benefit rate calculator provided by the NY State Department of Labor.
Please note that the tool gives an estimate only. It does not guarantee that you will be eligible for benefits or a specific amount of benefits. You must file an Unemployment Insurance claim to find our if you are eligible and learn your actual benefit amount.
When should I file a claim of unemployment benefits in New York State?
You should file your claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment. If you wait, you may lose benefits. You may not file for a week when you work four or more days or earn more than $504 gross pay between Monday and Sunday. You must wait until the next Monday to file, if you are still unemployed.
Please note that NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.
What information do I need to file my unemployment benefits claim in NYS?
You will need the following information to file your unemployment benefits in the State of New York:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver license or Motor Vehicle ID card number (if you have either one)
- Your complete mailing address and zip code
- A phone number where we can reach you from 8 am - 5 pm, Monday –Friday
- Your Alien Registration card number (if you are not a U.S. Citizen and have a card)
- Names and addresses of all your employers for the last 18 months, including those in other states
- Employer Registration number or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) of your most recent employer (FEIN is on your W-2 forms)
- Your copies of forms SF8 and SF50, if you were a federal employee
- Your most recent separation form (DD 214), for military service
You can file a claim without all of these documents. However, missing information can delay your first payment.
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