Answer. Very likely, if you’ve lost your job or a significant number of paid hours. You’re likely not eligible if; you can telework with pay; or are using paid sick or other paid leave benefits. See this
NYS State Department of Labor (DOL) chart for more information.[1]
Answer. Claim completion has been a huge problem, but as of April 10, DOL has launched a new, streamlined online process on
the DOL website.
Answer. No, the benefits will be backdated to the first week you experienced unemployment. You’ll get payments for the full period you’ve been unemployed.
Answer.
- 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 DOL 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, listed on your W-2 forms (don’t worry if you don’t have this)
Visit the DOL website for more information.
Answer. Just keep filing your weekly claims.
Answer. Nothing. Once your benefits claim has been approved, you’ll automatically be entitled to this extra $600.
Answer. File a new claim. You are likely entitled to additional benefits under the COVID UI program.
Answer. DOL advises that its decisions about whether an applicant is eligible can take 2-3 weeks, but they expect it to speed up with the new DOL website process that began April 10.
Learn more.
DOL urges New Yorkers to use the new
online system; it can handle most applications from start to finish, dramatically reducing the number of New Yorkers who must speak to a claims specialist on the phone.
- If you have begun but not yet completed filling a claim and were told to call the call center to complete your claim, DOL advises that its claims specialists will call you to complete your claim. Stay close to your phone, expect a call from any number or a blocked number, and be ready to answer calls.
- If you have not yet filled a claim, labor.ny.gov will direct you to the new, streamlined system.
These instructions apply to and are the same for all workers who may be eligible for unemployment benefits, including those not traditionally covered by these benefits.
A reminder that when workers’ claims are approved they will receive benefits backdated to their first day of unemployment.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this page does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. All information available on this page is for general informational purposes only. Information on this page may not be up-to-date. For legal advice, you should contact a lawyer to assess your situation.
[1]Note: Unfortunately, workers without work authorization are not eligible for any benefits under this program.
Download a PDF version of this page.
Learn more about Unemployment Insurance Benefits and how they’ve been expanded by the pandemic:
- How It Works
- Determine Your Eligibility
- What You Need to Include
- How To Apply
View the Unemployment Insurance program guide on ACCESS NYC.