How do I file for unemployment benefits in New York?

Q: How do I file for unemployment benefits in New York?

New York unemployment is administered by the NY Department of Labor (DOL) under NY Labor Law Article 18 . 1. How and When to File - File online at labor.ny.gov through NY.gov ID , or by phone (Telephone Claims Center). - File the first week you are unemployed. - New York eliminated the waiting week in 2020 — benefits begin immediately . 2. Weekly Benefit Amount - Range: $108 to $504 per week (cap last raised in 2019; future increases tied to state average weekly wage). - Calculated as 1/26th of your highest-quarter wages (or 1/25 for very high earners). - Maximum 26 weeks of regular benefits. 3. Eligibility Requirements (NY Lab. Law § 527) - Wages in at least two calendar quarters of the base period. - Total base-period wages of at least 1.5× the high-quarter wages . - High-quarter wages of at least $3,300 (2025). - Lost work through no fault of your own — not fired for misconduct (§ 593.3) or voluntary quit without good cause (§ 593.1). - Be ready, willing, and able to work . 4. Work Search Requirement - Must perform at least 3 work search activities per week and keep a written log. - Must register with New York State Job Service . 5. Certifying for Benefits - Certify weekly (every Sunday for the prior week) online or by phone. - First $0 of part-time earnings are disregarded; effective Jan 2024, NY uses an hours-based partial UI system — benefits reduced 25% per day worked, regardless of earnings. 6. Severance Pay - If your weekly severance exceeds the state's maximum WBA ($504), benefits are postponed until severance ends (NY Lab. Law § 591). 7. Appeals - Appeal a denial within 30 days to the Administrative Law Judge section. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Question

Accepted Answer

New York unemployment is administered by the NY Department of Labor (DOL) under NY Labor Law Article 18.

1. How and When to File

File online at labor.ny.gov through NY.gov ID, or by phone (Telephone Claims Center).

File the first week you are unemployed.

New York eliminated the waiting week in 2020 — benefits begin immediately.

2. Weekly Benefit Amount

Range: $108 to $504 per week (cap last raised in 2019; future increases tied to state average weekly wage).

Calculated as 1/26th of your highest-quarter wages (or 1/25 for very high earners).

Maximum 26 weeks of regular benefits.

3. Eligibility Requirements (NY Lab. Law § 527)

Wages in at least two calendar quarters of the base period.

Total base-period wages of at least 1.5× the high-quarter wages.

High-quarter wages of at least $3,300 (2025).

Lost work through no fault of your own — not fired for misconduct (§ 593.3) or voluntary quit without good cause (§ 593.1).

Be ready, willing, and able to work.

4. Work Search Requirement

Must perform at least 3 work search activities per week and keep a written log.

Must register with New York State Job Service.

5. Certifying for Benefits

Certify weekly (every Sunday for the prior week) online or by phone.

First $0 of part-time earnings are disregarded; effective Jan 2024, NY uses an hours-based partial UI system — benefits reduced 25% per day worked, regardless of earnings.

6. Severance Pay

If your weekly severance exceeds the state's maximum WBA ($504), benefits are postponed until severance ends (NY Lab. Law § 591).

7. Appeals

Appeal a denial within 30 days to the Administrative Law Judge section.

This is legal information, not legal advice.