File Your First Claim for Benefits

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Important Update: Unemployment Insurance Debit Card Update: In late June 2023, the Department of Labor began utilizing Conduent for debit card services. Customers currently receiving benefits via debit card will be automatically mailed a new card. While new funds will not be added to existing Key2Benefits Direct Payment Cards, these cards can still be used while there is a balance. See here for more information and FAQs.

Overview

Unemployment Insurance is temporary income for eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. File your claim the first week that you lose your job.

If you are eligible, you will be paid for all benefits from that date forward.

What You Need to Know About Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits During the Pandemic:

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Eligibility

To qualify for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must have worked and earned enough wages in covered employment. In New York State, employers pay contributions that fund Unemployment Insurance.

You must file an Unemployment Insurance claim to find out if you are eligible and learn your actual benefit amount.

To collect benefits, you must be ready, willing, and able to work, and actively looking for work during each week in which you are claiming benefits.

Estimate your weekly benefit amount with our benefit calculator.

Payment Options

If you apply for unemployment insurance, you will be asked if you want to receive your benefits by direct deposit or debit card.

If you apply over the phone, you will automatically receive your benefits via debit card unless you had a previous claim and you received them by direct deposit.

How To File

WARNING: Use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), proxy, or internet anonymizer service will cause problems with your ability to apply or certify for benefits. Turn these services off before applying or submitting a weekly certification.

Sign in or create a NY.gov ID account and follow the instructions to file a claim.

If you have never filed a claim for benefits in New York State, you must create a PIN. This is a four-digit number that you must keep confidential. This PIN will be used to access the system to certify for weekly benefits and update your account.

Ready? Make sure you have with you:

You can file a claim without all of these documents. However, missing information can delay your first payment.

If you cannot print web pages, have a pen and paper to copy information.

If you choose direct deposit of your weekly benefits, you will need your bank routing and checking account numbers. You cannot choose direct deposit if you file your claim by telephone.

File

WARNING: Use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN), proxy, or internet anonymizer service will cause problems with your ability to apply or certify for benefits. Turn these services off before applying or submitting a weekly certification.

It is best to apply for unemployment insurance online in the hours of 7:30AM - 7:30PM.

Apply By Telephone

Call our Telephone Claim Center, toll-free during business hours to file a claim.