Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

New York State is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits for people who are totally or partially unemployed due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.

The Unemployment Insurance hotline is experiencing intermittent phone issues and long wait times. You should use the DOL website if possible to file your claim and wait for DOL to contact you directly. Everyone who is eligible will get their benefits.

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor website.

Expiration of Federal Unemployment and Pandemic Benefits

On September 5, 2021, the following federal unemployment benefit programs expired across the country, per federal law:

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
  • Extended Benefits (EB)
  • $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
  • $100 Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits will continue to be paid to eligible claimants. To be considered eligible for UI after September 5, 2021, a claimant must be unemployed and be in the first 26 weeks (or 104 effective days) of benefits.

Claimants may reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their current benefit year. To be eligible for a new UI claim, applicants must have worked and earned enough wages in covered employment. Applicants who received no wages from covered employment during the past five quarters will not be eligible for a new UI claim.

Learn about reapplication options, job search resources and other assistance.

You can get assistance with:

  • Eligibility
  • Required documentation
  • Filing claims
  • Denials
  • Checking payment status
  • Updating personal information

You should file within the first week that you become totally or partially unemployed.

Online

Learn about unemployment insurance benefits and apply online.

Learn more about the CARES Act and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

Learn about the Debit Card for Unemployment Insurance.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York State Department of Labor
  • Division: Unemployment Insurance Division
  • Phone Number: (888) 209-8124
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 7:30 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.

You can make a complaint by contacting the Department of Labor Inquiry Line.

  • Agency: New York State Department of Labor
  • Division: Division of Labor Standards Local Office
  • Phone Number: (888) 469-7365
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Call volume is often high. If you don't get through, call back later.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud

You can report Unemployment Insurance benefits fraud.

Online

Report unemployment insurance benefits fraud.

Learn how to report fraud and protect your personal information.

By Mail

New York State Department of Labor,
Office of Special Investigations, Bldg 12 - Room 576
W. Averell Harriman Campus
Albany, NY 12240

Employer Unemployment Insurance Fraud

You can anonymously report an employer committing fraud.

Online

Report employer unemployment insurance fraud.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York State Department of Labor
  • Division: Unemployment Insurance Employer Fraud
  • Phone Number: (866) 435-1499
  • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

By Mail

New York State Department of Labor
Liability and Determination, Fraud Unit
Building 12, Room 282
State Office Campus
Albany, NY 12240