Unemployment: How and When to File
The NYS Department of Labor is implementing a special system to handle calls about unemployment insurance. [In addition, New York Department of Labor's Shared Work Program allows employees on a reduced schedule to collect unemployment for days not worked helping to offset reduced incomes. NY is apparently moving much more quickly than other states and the program is a great way to help reduce expenses while retaining employees. For more info go HERE.]
The state waived the seven-day waiting period for unemployment insurance and is implementing a filing system that spreads out filings over multiple days of the week, based on the first letter of a filer’s last name. The system is as follows:
A - F: Monday
G – N: Tuesday
O – Z: Wednesday
Missed your day? You can file on Thursday or Friday.
Filing later in the week will not delay payments or affect the date of an individual’s claim. All claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.
How do I file?
Here is a step by step process to file a claim online: www.labor.ny.gov/ui/pdfs/Unemployment-Filing-Instructions.pdf.
What if I need to contact the department?
The department is adding staff and expanding hours. Contact Telephone Claims Center (TCC) staff at (888) 209-8124.
Expanded telephone line hours are as follows:
Monday through Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Am I eligible for benefits?
Unemployment Insurance is a 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 throughout each week in which you are claiming benefits.
To qualify, 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.
Do you work for a school or school district?
See Unemployment Insurance Rules for Teachers and Other School Workers.
