After You've Applied For Unemployment Frequently Asked Questions (2023)

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:
New York State Department of Labor
Central Support Unit
P.O. Box 15130
Albany, New York 12212
Your letter should include your:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Social Security number
• Dates for which you request credit
• Reason why you did not file a claim at that time

We will investigate and decide if you qualify for benefits.

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:

• With the federal government
• In a branch of military service or
• For work done outside of New York State

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.

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.

You should complete the Request for Alternate Base Period form only
IF
You already have a benefit rate using the Basic Base Period
BUT
Your "high quarter" wages are in the Alternate Base Period quarter
AND
You wish to request a rate based on the Alternate Base Period wages
(See your Monetary Determination for specific dates and wages.)

There is a deadline for us to consider you for the Alternate Base Period. Fill out theRequest for Alternate Base Periodform. The Department of Labor must receive your completed form within 10 days from the "Date Mailed" on theMonetary Determination.

Once wages are "used," they cannot be included in a future claim. If you choose to use the Alternate Base Period wages, you will not be able to use this employment and wages again. This may affect your entitlement to a later claim.

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."

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.”

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.”

For each week you wish to receive benefits, you must request payment by claiming benefits for that week.
Before we can pay any benefits, you must serve an unpaid waiting period.This equals one full week of unemployment benefits. You must claim credit for your waiting week during the period that:

• Begins on the first Sunday after you file your claim and
• Ends the next Saturday

The waiting period extends into the next week if you:

• Work at all during the week in which you filed your claim or
• Do not serve a full waiting period for other reasons

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.

See the Guide for Claiming Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fact Sheet
WARNING: Use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or internet anonymizer service may cause problems with your ability to apply or certify for benefits. Turn these services off before accessing online services.
You may claim your weekly unemployment benefits:

• On the web with your NY.gov ID
• Call Tel-Service at 888-581-5812, using a touch-tone phone.

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.
If you use TTY/TDD equipment, call a relay operator first at 800-662-1220, and ask the operator to call the Telephone Claims Center at 888-783-1370.
If you are claiming weekly benefits online, you may do so:

• Beginning Sunday - all day
• Monday through Friday - 7:30 a.m. to midnight
• Saturday - all day

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.

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.
Partial benefits are available as follows:

• 0 – 10hours of work (equivalent to 0 days worked): 100% of weekly benefit rate
• 11 – 16hours of work (equivalent to 1 day worked): 75% of weekly benefit rate
• 17– 21hours of work (equivalent to 2 days worked): 50% of weekly benefit rate
• 22– 30 hours of work (equivalent to 3 days worked): 25% of weekly benefit rate
• 31+ hours of work (equivalent to 4 days worked): 0% of weekly benefit rate

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.

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:

• You will be asked to enter the date of your last day worked. Enter the last day you worked physically reported to work, regardless of whether this was your part-time or full-time work.
• You will also be asked to enter information about your last or most recent employer. The last or most recent employer is where you most recently reported to work, regardless of whether this was your part-time or full-time employer. If it was your part-time employer, and you will continue to work part-time, enter "lack of work" as the reason for separation.

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

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.

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.

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.
If you are receiving an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, please note:

• The time spent applying for EIDL or taking care of other business matters is considered work, and you should not claim benefits for those hours.
• If you do use the EIDL for one week's payroll, you will not be entitled to unemployment benefits for that week. If you are still unemployed the next week, you can continue claiming.
• If you use the EIDL for something other than payroll (e.g., paying other business expenses like bills), you may have partial eligibility for that week. Because any time you spend taking care of business matters is considered work, you can only claim for benefits for hours you do not take those actions.

We consider you employed in any week when you perform any services for more than four hours total, whether this work is:

• An hour or less in self-employment
• On a free-lance basis or
• For someone else

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 all of the work you do, whether it is for:

• Yourself
• A friend
• A relative or
• An employer

You must report any activity that brings in or may bring in income at any time.
If you are:

• Doing freelance work
• Self-employed
• Starting a business or
• Doing "favors" for another business

Call the Telephone Claim Center and give all the details before you claim your weekly benefits.

You must report any activity that brings in or may bring in income at any time. If you are:

• Doing freelance work
• Self-employed
• Starting a business or
• Doing "favors" for another business

call the Telephone Claim Center and give all the details before you claim your weekly benefits.

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.

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

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:

• By yourself
• With a partner, or
• In a corporate arrangement
• If you spend time during the day or evening or on weekends getting ready to start or actually operating a business, we may consider that as work. It does not matter if you have not made any sales or received any compensation.

We issue payments through:
A debit card
OR
Direct deposit into your checking account

Debit Card
The debit card lets you withdraw your benefits via an ATM or at a Point-of-Sale terminal. Debit cards are safer than checks. Only the Department of Labor can deposit money into the debit card account. For details, visit our Debit Card for Unemployment Insurance Benefits page. The debit card provided by the Department is free. We encourage you to avoid using third-party debit cards typically purchased at stores.
Direct Deposit
You may choose to have your weekly benefits electronically transferred into your checking account, if your bank has a direct deposit program. For details, visit our Direct Deposit Information page.

Do not respond to emails or text messages from unknown sources that ask you to disclose personal information, such as your:

• Social Security number
• Debit card number
• Direct deposit bank account number
• PIN number

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.
If you think someone has compromised your account, contact:

• Your bank (for direct deposit), or
• Key Bank (for Key2Benefits debit cards) at (866) 295-2955

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.

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.
For debit card users:
To find out if we have released a payment, log in with your NY.gov ID click on 'Unemployment Services'. Then, click on 'View Payment History.'
If we have released the payment:

• Check your debit card account at www.Key2Benefits.com/NYSDOL

OR

• Call KeyBank at (866) 295-2955.

You will need your PIN.
For direct deposit users:
To find out if we have released a payment, log in with your NY.gov ID and click on 'Unemployment Services'. Then, click on 'View Payment History.'
If we have released the payment, check with your bank three business days after the payment release date to see if the payment is in your checking account.
If there is a problem on your claim, the Telephone Claims Center may contact you. Follow the directions they give you. If we have not credited your payment and the Telephone Claims Center has not contacted you in two weeks, you should call 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.

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.

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.

If your address or phone number changes, youmustupdate 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.
You must also contact:
KeyBank Customer Service at (866) 295-2955 (for debit card users)
OR
Your bank (for direct deposit)
to update your contact information.

Please see ourWork Search FAQfor more details.

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:

• Any work that you can do, even if you have no experience or training in such work; unless you are hired through a union hiring hall or have a definite date to return to work.
• Such work must pay at least 80% of your high-quarter base-period wages. Any work offered must pay the prevailing wage for such work. SeePrevailing Unemployment Insurance Rates.
• You must also be willing to travel a reasonable distance to get work. As a rule, we consider a reasonable distance to be travel of:
  • One hour by private transportation, or
  • One and one-half hours by public transportation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. If you are required to file a tax return, your unemployment compensation is subject to these taxes:

• Federal
• New York State
• Local

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:
Log in with yourNY.gov ID
THEN
Click Unemployment Benefits, then "Payment and Tax Withholding Options,"
THEN
Click "Tax Withholding,"
AND
Follow the instructions.

ou can start or stop the withholding of federal or state tax from your weekly benefits any time: Log in with yourNY.gov ID

THEN
Click Unemployment Benefits, then "Payment and Tax Withholding Options,"
THEN
Click "Tax Withholding,"
AND
Follow the instructions.
You can contact the Telephone Claims Center:
(888) 209-8124 (toll-free). Call during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6pm.
Select option 5: "To speak to a representative about a claim you have already filed"
ENTER
Your Social Security number and PIN
THEN
Select option number 3, "To begin or cancel the withholding of federal income tax from your benefits"
OR
SELECT option 4 "To begin or cancel the withholding of state income tax from your benefits"

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.

In January, you will be able to view and print out aStatement 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 theTelephone Claims Centerof your current address.

• The Internal Revenue Service
• The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

• Unemployment insurance payments
• Extended benefits and Federal Supplemental Compensation
• Trade Adjustment Act basic, retroactive, and training payments
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) payments

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.

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

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 6pm.
For a complete record of your UI payments, log in with your NY.gov ID. Then, click on "Unemployment Benefits" and "View Payment History."

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).