UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS
File a New Claim
The best way to file a new claim for unemployment insurance is through our improved online filing system. This is only for new claims.
Weekly Certifications
If you already have a claim, please go to labor.ny.gov/signin to make weekly certifications or to view your claim information.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer | ||||||
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| When should I file a claim? | 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 more than 30 hours 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. To request credit for a period for which you did not file a valid claim, write to:
We will investigate and decide if you qualify for benefits. | ||||||
| What is the Monetary Determination? | After you file your claim, we will send you a Monetary Determination. This letter shows your base period and the employers and wages used to determine if you have enough earnings to establish a claim. Review this form for accuracy. Be sure you agree with the amount of earnings reported. Check the list for all your employers. Do not return this form. Keep it for your personal records. NOTE: The Wage Reporting System does not show wages earned:
Thus, the initial Monetary Determination may not list them. If we fail to list an employer, job or earnings, fill out a Request for Reconsideration (found in the claimant handbook). We will use those wages to calculate your correct benefit rate. | ||||||
| What is a Request for Reconsideration? | When you receive your determination letter in the mail, it will show your weekly benefit rate for Unemployment Insurance (UI). If the wages shown on the form are wrong or employment or earnings are missing, then you can make a request to have your Monetary Determination reconsidered. This is called a Request for Reconsideration. | ||||||
| Where can I get a Request for Reconsideration form? | The Request for Reconsideration form can be found on our website here (or by visiting on.ny.gov/reconsideration) and in the Claimant Handbook. In addition to mailing or faxing the form, you can submit a Request for Reconsideration through DOL’s secure online messaging system. If you submit your request through your online account, first select “Submit Documents” and then “Submit Wage Documents.” Please use the subject line “Wage Documentation”. | ||||||
| The Request for Reconsideration form says that I can submit it by mail or fax. Is there a way to submit the Request for Reconsideration form and my wage documentation online? | Yes. You can submit a Request for Reconsideration through DOL’s secure messaging system in your online account at labor.ny.gov/signin. If you submit your Request for Reconsideration through your online account, first select “Submit Documents” and then “Submit Wage Documents.” Please use the subject line “Wage Documentation”. | ||||||
| If I sent my 1099 to DOL, will DOL review it and adjust my rate even if I did not send a Request for Reconsideration form? | Yes. DOL will review all wage documents, including 1099s, and make proper adjustments on a case-by-case basis. Sending a Request for Reconsideration form, however, will help your case get routed to the correct DOL representatives. | ||||||
| What if I do not have a 1099 from the business that paid me? Can I send in paystubs? | Yes. DOL will review all wage documents, including paystubs. Please note that complex or voluminous records will take longer for a DOL representative to review. | ||||||
| If I make a Request for Reconsideration, could my benefit rate go down? | Your rate will depend on the details of your income. If you were overpaid benefits, the DOL will notify you. | ||||||
| Can I estimate my weekly Unemployment Insurance benefit amount? | Yes, you can use the benefit rate calculator on our website. 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. | ||||||
| What if I don’t agree with the Monetary Determination? | If you qualify, the Monetary Determination will show your weekly benefit rate. You use the Request for Reconsideration form only if: The wages shown on the form are wrong or Your employment and earnings are missing from the base period Be sure to include proof of your employment and wages, such as a copy of pay stubs that total the amount of earnings you list on the form for the time in question. If you have no pay stubs: Send any documents you may have that we can use as proof OR Explain why you have no proof of earnings (for instance, you were paid in cash or "off the books"). If the information shown on the Monetary Determination is correct, you do not need to take any action. If you do not qualify, the Monetary Determination will explain why. Check that the Monetary Determination form is correct. Fill out the Request for Reconsideration if:The wages shown on the form are wrong or Your employment and earnings are missing Send correct wage information for all four Basic Base Period Quarters and the Alternate Quarter. To speed up the review of your claim, be sure to include proof of your employment and wages, such as pay stubs that total the amount of earnings you list on the form for the time in question. If you have no pay stubs: Send any documents you may have that we can use as proof OR Explain why you have no proof of earnings. You may read and print the UI Claimant Handbook. We will review your Monetary Determination based on the proof you submit. We may contact your base period employer(s) to verify the wages paid to you in that time. If your benefit rate changes, we will mail you a revised Monetary Determination. We process your request and set a hearing date if:The review does not change your benefit rate and Your rate is less than the maximum rate of $504 It is important to keep pay stubs and other proof of wages from your base period. This helps you provide an accurate estimate. Wages include the dollar value of:Tips Bonuses Meals and lodging Commissions Vacation and holiday pay | ||||||
| What if I think my rate will be higher using the alternate base period? | You should complete the Request for Alternate Base Period form only
There is a deadline for us to consider you for the Alternate Base Period. Fill out the Request for Alternate Base Period form. The Department of Labor must receive your completed form within 10 days from the "Date Mailed" on the Monetary Determination.
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| I received a notice that my weekly benefit rate was increased. What happens now? | You should begin receiving a higher weekly benefit when you certify for weeks of unemployment. Additionally, you may be entitled to receive back payments for weeks you were previously paid at the lower weekly benefit rate. If you have not received your back payments within three weeks of receiving a notice from the DOL that your weekly benefit rate was increased, you can let us know by sending a message through the secure messaging system in your online account or by calling us at 888-209-8124. To contact us about your increased benefit rate through our online system, log in to labor.ny.gov/signin with your NY.gov username and password. Select “Go to My Inbox” and then “Compose New.” Select “Payments Due After Benefit Rate Increase” for the subject line, compose your message with the dates you would like investigated, and then click “Send." | ||||||
| I received an increase in my weekly benefit rate after receiving benefits but have not received back payments for the weeks that I was previously paid at the lower weekly benefit rate. What should I do? | If you have not received your back payments within three weeks of receiving a notice from the DOL that your weekly benefit rate was increased, you can let us know by sending a message through the secure messaging system in your online account or by calling us at 888-209-6851. To contact us about your increased benefit rate through our online system, log in to labor.ny.gov/signin with your NY.gov username and password. Select “Go to My Inbox” and then “Compose New.” Select “Payments Due After Benefit Rate Increase” for the subject line, compose your message with the dates you would like investigated, and then click “Send.” | ||||||
| I can’t get through when I try calling the DOL about my back payments. What should I do? | Please wait at least three weeks before reaching out because your payment may still be in process. If you do not receive your payment, you can let us know by sending a message through the secure messaging system in your online account or by calling us at 888-209-8124. To contact us about your increased benefit rate through our online system, log in to labor.ny.gov/signin with your NY.gov username and password. Select “Go to My Inbox” and then “Compose New.” Select “Payments Due After Benefit Rate Increase” for the subject line, compose your message with the dates you would like investigated, and then click “Send.” | ||||||
| Can I have my benefit rate calculated using my average weekly wage? | Yes, if you think your benefit rate may be higher using your average weekly wage. Complete the Request for Rate Based on Weeks form included in the back of your Claimant Handbook. If you are a seasonal worker or other worker who did not work all weeks in your high quarter, this request may give you an increased benefit rate. First, finalize the base period and the high quarter wages to establish your rate. Then, we can reconsider your benefit rate. To qualify for this recalculation, you must have: At least 20 weeks of work in your base period AND Any benefit rate increase must be at least $5 more than your current benefit rate BUT Cannot exceed the maximum benefit rate (currently $504) You must offer proof, such as paycheck stubs, for each week of work. For unemployment purposes, a "week of employment" is a Monday through Sunday period. If you choose to have your rate based on weeks of employment, we will calculate your benefit rate as one-half your average weekly wage. See instructions for completing the Request for Rate Based on Weeks form in the Claimant Handbook. You must submit the form and your proof of weeks of work within 10 days of the date of your most recent Monetary Determination. We will review the form and the proof. If your Monetary Determination changes, we will mail you a revised determination. | ||||||
| I filed a claim, what next? | For each week you wish to receive benefits, you must request payment by claiming benefits for that week.
The waiting period extends into the next week if you:
Each week that you are unemployed, you must certify that you are eligible for payment if you want to receive unemployment benefits. Be very careful in reading questions and in answering truthfully. You certify that weekly claim on Sunday, for the week ending that day. | ||||||
| How do I claim my weekly benefits? | See the Guide for Claiming Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fact Sheet
Both systems are available in English and Spanish. The Tel-Service system is also available in other languages, including Haitian-Creole, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Polish, Bengali, Arabic, French, Italian, Hindi, Vietnamese, Urdu, Nepali and Tagalog.
An unemployment week runs Monday through Sunday. If you wish to claim benefits for a week of unemployment, you have from the Sunday date at the end of that week through the next Saturday to do so. | ||||||
| What should I do if I make a mistake on my weekly certification? | You should call the Telephone Claims Center right away, at 888-209-8124. Call during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. (Please note that you may have difficulty reaching a representative when there is high call volume.) If you claimed for the entire week but you worked between 11-30 hours, it is very important for you to contact us. If you don’t contact us, you may have to repay benefits and be subject to civil penalties and the loss of future benefits. | ||||||
| What if I work part time? | NYS DOL’s new partial unemployment system uses an “hours-based” approach. Under the new approach, claimants can claim partial unemployment for a week if they work 30 hours or fewer and earn $504 or less in gross pay excluding earnings from self-employment. With this change, claimants’ benefits will not be reduced for each day they engage in part-time work and will be reduced in increments based on total hours of work for the week.
If you earn more than $504 in any week, no matter how many hours you worked, you cannot receive benefits for that week. Please note: If you are certifying for benefit weeks prior to August 16, 2021, you must use the prior guidelines, which can be found at on.ny.gov/partialui. | ||||||
| Can I file a claim if I lost my full-time work, but still work part-time? | Yes, if you work 30 hours or fewer in a week and earn $504 or less, you may receive partial UI. When you file your UI claim:
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| I’m back to work, but only part time. How should I answer the question “Have you returned to work?” when I certify? | When certifying weekly, you will be asked if you have returned to work. If you have returned to work, answer “yes” — even if you have only returned part time. If you work 30 hours or fewer in a week and making $504 or less per week (in gross wages), you may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits. Continue to accurately report your hours worked and wages earned each week to receive partial benefits if you are eligible. If you are receiving unemployment benefits through the Shared Work program, please visit dol.ny.gov/how-file-claim-under-shared-work-program | ||||||
| Will working a second, part-time job affect my benefit rate? | Yes. Any work with a different employer or self-employment will reduce the amount of Shared Work benefits that you may receive each week. As with regular unemployment. For each day that you work in a week as defined under rule that applies to the period you worked, you lose one-quarter of your Shared Work benefits. For example, if you normally receive $80 in Shared Work benefits and you work 20 hours in a week at your additional part-time job, your benefit amount would be reduced by half to $40. Get more information about partial unemployment at on.ny.gov/partial. | ||||||
| What should I do if I was furloughed initially, and then laid off? Will there be an impact on my unemployment benefits? | If you are collecting benefits because you were temporarily laid off (furloughed) and told you would be called back to your job, but now you do not have a job to return to, then you still qualify for unemployment benefits. The only change is that you must now engage in a diligent search for new work (see: Work Search Frequently Asked Questions). Continue to certify weekly, accurately noting any hours worked and whether your earned more than $504 in gross wages until you are back to work for good. | ||||||
| I received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Will that impact my unemployment? | Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are not like the Paycheck Protection Program because they do not have to be used for payroll. Therefore, you may be able to receive both an EIDL and unemployment insurance or pandemic unemployment assistance benefits.
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| What does the Department of Labor consider work? | We consider you employed in any week when you perform any services for more than four hours total, whether this work is:
It makes no difference whether this work is covered employment or whether you are paid for that day. For example, work on a straight commission basis is still work. It does not matter that you may not receive the commission until sometime later. It also does not matter if you have not made any sales or received any compensation.
You must report any activity that brings in or may bring in income at any time.
Call the Telephone Claim Center and give all the details before you claim your weekly benefits. | ||||||
| What if I do freelance work or other self-employment? | You must report any activity that brings in or may bring in income at any time. If you are:
call the Telephone Claim Center and give all the details before you claim your weekly benefits. | ||||||
| What if I want to help a friend or relative? | We may consider you employed on any day or any part of a day when you perform even minor duties or "favors" for a friend's or relative's business. It does not matter whether you are paid or not. Call the Telephone Claim Center and give all the details before you claim benefits. | ||||||
| What if I do volunteer work? | In certain instances, you may collect unemployment benefits while you do volunteer work. You must meet all of these conditions: The volunteer work is for a charitable, religious or cultural organization AND You do not receive payment in any form for your volunteer work (Example: if you "volunteer" at a school in exchange for tuition abatement or scholarship, we do not consider this true volunteer work. This work would affect your eligibility for unemployment benefits.) AND The volunteer work is not a precondition to being hired or rehired into a paid position(Example: if you volunteer while on a layoff from a social services agency that is between budgets or grants, we do not consider this true volunteer work. This work would affect your eligibility for unemployment benefits.) AND Your volunteer duties do not interfere with your ability to search for work AND Do not affect or limit the number of days and hours you are willing to work | ||||||
| What if I want to start my own business? | Tell the Telephone Claims Center before you take any steps to start a business. Unless you are part of the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), these activities may result in the loss of unemployment insurance benefits. See more information on SEAP. The Department of Labor considers you employed if you operate or start a business:
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| How will I receive my unemployment payments? | We issue payments through: Debit Card | ||||||
| How do I protect my unemployment benefits? | Do not respond to emails or text messages from unknown sources that ask you to disclose personal information, such as your:
This is a clear mark of potential fraud. NOTE: The Department of Labor may use DocuSign, emails and texts to communicate with you about the status of your claim. These communications will be clearly labeled as being sent from the Department of Labor. See the DocuSign FAQs.
Never tell anyone your PIN or write your PIN down where others can see it. As a safety measure, we also recommend that you reset your PIN often. You should also reset your PIN any time you think someone else knows it. To change your PIN, call the Telephone Claims Center at (888) 209-8124 and follow the menu options to change your PIN. You may need to speak with a representative. Call during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. | ||||||
| What if I think my payment is late? | First, see if we have released your benefit payment. Then, check to see if we deposited your benefit payment into your checking account or your debit card account. You will need your PIN. | ||||||
| How can I speak to a claims specialist at the Telephone Claims Center? | At the main menu, choose option #5 "To speak to a representative about a claim you have already filed" and follow the instructions. *If you are a person with a disability, who cannot access our services without help from another person, you may take that help. However, you must be with the person each time they access the services, including the entry of the PIN. You will be responsible for the actions of your agent. You may be subject to penalties, including loss of benefits, if you are not present when your agent accesses our services. | ||||||
| When is the best time to call the Telephone Claims Center? | The Telephone Claims Center is usually less busy on Thursday and Friday afternoons. During heavy call times, you may hear a message that all representatives are busy with other customers. You will need to call back to speak with a representative. (Please note: We have experienced extremely high call volume due to the COVID-19 emergency, and you may have difficulty reaching an agent.) To reach the Telephone Claims Center: Call toll-free at 888-209-8124 during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. | ||||||
| What if I leave the area? | If you leave your normal labor market to travel to another area, you must call the Telephone Claims Center before you leave. They will tell you whether your benefit rights can be protected while you are away. You could lose your benefits if you fail to advise the TCC before you leave. Also, when you travel to a foreign country (except Canada), you should not use our web or phone systems to claim benefits. If you attempt to do so, your access will be blocked, and your claim will be put on hold. Be sure to respond to the questionnaires we will send through your secure two-way communication mailbox. If we learn that you received benefits while outside of the United States, or that you had someone else claim for you, we will issue a fraud overpayment determination. That makes you liable to repay any benefits that you were not entitled to receive, includes financial penalties, and will cause you to lose the right to future benefits. You are in a foreign country when you go outside of the United States or a U.S. Territory (except Canada). Claimants may file for UI benefits from Canada using our web or phone systems. However, if you plan to leave your normal labor market to travel to Canada, you still must call the Telephone Claims Center before you go. | ||||||
| What should I do if my address or phone number changes? | If your address or phone number changes, you must update your contact information with the Department of Labor. Your benefits may be late if you do not answer letters mailed to your address on record or do not report to an appointment. The easiest way to update your address and/or telephone number is online. You can do this when you claim your weekly benefits. | ||||||
| Do I have to look for work while collecting benefits? | Please see our Work Search FAQ for more details. | ||||||
| What kind of work must I accept? | You must be ready to accept "suitable" work while you collect benefits. Suitable work is work that you can reasonably do through your past training and experience. This means that you have to look for work in all your most recent occupations, especially if the chance of getting work in your primary skill area is not good. After you have claimed 10 full weeks of benefits, suitable work also includes:
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| What should I do when I return to work? | When you return to work, you should claim credit for the last days you were out of work. Then, simply stop claiming weekly benefits. No notification is needed. You must stop claiming benefits the first day you start work, not when you receive your first paycheck. If you start work in the middle of a week, when you claim benefits report the number of hours worked and if you made over the maximum benefit rate (currently $504) for the week, even if you haven't been paid yet. If you work 30 hours or less in a week and do not earn over the maximum benefit rate, you may be eligible to receive a partial benefit payment. Make sure to keep your PIN, NY.gov identification, password, and debit card (if you have one) in a safe place in case you need to start claiming benefits again. | ||||||
| What should I do if I lose my job again? | If you lose your job again, for any reason, and your benefit year has not expired, you have the right to reopen your claim. To reopen your claim, log in with your NY.gov ID or call Tel-Service at 888-581-5812. After you log in, click on Unemployment Benefits, then on 'View Payment History' to find your benefit year end date. If your benefit year has expired, file a new claim. | ||||||
| What is the maximum amount of benefits I may receive? | 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. The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program provides additional benefits for 53 weeks, or until the program end date, whichever comes first. In addition, UI claimants may receive up to 20 weeks of additional benefits under New York’s Extended Benefits (EB) program. See the EB and PEUC frequently asked questions. Refer to our CARES Act information page. | ||||||
| Does receiving workers' compensation affect my benefits? | If you receive New York State workers' compensation, but you are available and physically able to work, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. However, this may reduce your weekly unemployment benefit rate. The weekly total of your New York State workers' compensation and UI benefits cannot be more than your average weekly wage in the base period. When you file a claim for benefits, you must send to the Department of Labor: A Copy of your electronic file from New York State Workers' Compensation ANDA medical statement signed by your physician, stating that you are able to work The Telephone Claims Center will determine if any reduction in your unemployment benefits, due to receipt of New York State workers' compensation, is appropriate. If you disagree with the reduction, you may request a hearing. You must tell the Telephone Claims Center about any New York State workers' compensation benefits you receive while you collect unemployment insurance. If you do not, you may have to repay any unemployment benefits that were overpaid. | ||||||
| Does receiving a pension affect my benefits? | If you have retired and are not seeking employment, you are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. If you are retired and are actively seeking work, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits under the same conditions as other workers. However, your weekly benefit rate may be reduced by 100% of the weekly equivalent of the prorated amount of the pension you are receiving from a base period employer even if you did not contribute to the pension. If you were the sole contributor to the pension, then your benefit rate will not be reduced. The Telephone Claim Center will make a determination of any reduction in your weekly unemployment benefit rate. As with other determinations, you may request a hearing if you disagree with the reduction. It is your responsibility to notify the Telephone Claims Center if you become eligible for a pension while receiving benefits. Failure to do so could result in an Overpayment Determination. For more information, please see Dismissal/Severance Pay and Pensions: Frequently Asked Questions. | ||||||
| What if I receive a call for jury duty? | If you receive a call to jury duty, you will still be able to receive benefits. This is true, whether you receive a call to a grand or petit jury of any state or of the United States. We consider you ready, willing and able to work while serving on jury duty. | ||||||
| Are my benefits taxable? | Yes. If you are required to file a tax return, your unemployment compensation is subject to these taxes:
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| Will the Department of Labor withhold any benefits for taxes? | It is your choice to withhold benefits for federal income tax or state income tax. You can choose to have 10% withheld from your weekly benefit payments for federal income tax. You can also choose to have 2.5% withheld for state income tax. We withhold this money only after we make other mandatory deductions, such as child support payments. You can change your withholding options any time: | ||||||
| Can I change my tax withholding option? | ou can start or stop the withholding of federal or state tax from your weekly benefits any time: Log in with your NY.gov ID THEN | ||||||
| Can I have my tax withholding returned to me? | The Department of Labor cannot return any taxes withheld to you. Only the federal or state government can return those to you, as part of your income tax refund. | ||||||
| How will I receive a year-end statement? | In January, you will be able to view and print out a Statement for Recipients of Certain Government Payments (Form 1099-G) for claimants who received benefits during the previous calendar year. Because of this, you must tell the Telephone Claims Center of your current address. Please keep the Form 1099-G for your records. The information on your benefit statement is also provided to:
Unemployment compensation includes:
If you did not receive any compensation during the previous calendar year, but repaid an overpayment of benefits, you will be able to view and print out the Form 1099-G. The information may help you to file your return. | ||||||
| If I repaid an overpayment, will it appear on my form 1099-G? | Certain payments will show on your Form 1099-G. They will be listed on the form in Box 2 Adjustments. These include: Cash payments you sent to pay back your overpaid benefits Your income tax refunds that were used to pay back your overpaid benefits These payments will not show on your Form 1099-G: Payments you made to cover penalties Unemployment Insurance benefits that were used to pay back your overpayment | ||||||
| How can I get a copy of tax form 1099g? | Chcek out our 1099G webpage: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment/1099-g-tax-form If you received unemployment insurance benefits during the prior calendar year, you may: Log in with your NY.gov ID. Then, click on "Unemployment Services" and "View/Print your 1099G" Contact the Department of Labor at 888-209-8124 and follow the automated instructions to have a 1099G mailed to you. Call during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. For a complete record of your UI payments, log in with your NY.gov ID. Then, click on "Unemployment Benefits" and "View Payment History." | ||||||
| How can I get copies of 1099-Gs for prior years? | You can print copies from your NY.gov account. Log in with your NY.gov ID. Then, click on "Unemployment Services" and "View/Print your 1099G". You can also request the 1099-G by mail (not applicable for the most recent tax year). |