New York State Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance

On March 29, 2013, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed the State budget for 2013-2014. Included in that legislation was a multi-pronged reform to New York State’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system to benefit both employers and claimants. The UI reform package includes paying off a debt to the federal government, modernizing and making the UI Trust Fund solvent and increasing benefit rates for unemployed workers.
The Governor also signed into law the extension of the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), which allows long-term unemployed workers the option of taking steps to start their own business in New York while receiving either regular unemployment insurance benefits or federal extended benefits. The program was extended through December 7, 2015. There is an increased flexibility in eligibility determinations. Read about the SEAP program details.

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Extended Unemployment Benefits -- see the latest information

• 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.

To qualify for UI benefits, you must have enough work hours and wages in covered employment. In New York State, employers pay contributions that fund UI. It is not deducted from your paycheck. The Department of Labor decides if you qualify for benefits.

Important information for claimants:

• How To File
• File a Claim
• Claim Weekly Benefits
• Check Payment History

UI Rules for Government Workers

UI Rules for Teachers and Other School Workers

Español - Servicios de Beneficios para reclamantes

1099G Available Online (Updated April 10, 2013)

Tax form 1099G, which shows the total amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid to each claimant during the 2012 calendar year, was mailed to claimants by January 31, 2013. You can view and print your 1099G for calendar year 2012 from this website. Log in with your NY.GOV ID, then click on Unemployment Benefits and View/Print your 1099G. You can also request a copy by completing and mailing the Request for 1099G form.  For more information, see our frequently asked questions.   

Congress Passes and President Signs Benefit Extension Through December 2013 (Updated April 10, 2013)

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was passed by Congress and signed by the President, extending deadlines for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) through December 2013.  The legislation does not change the number of weeks of benefits available under the EUC program.  It allows the EUC program to continue the same as before.

If you are collecting EUC, your benefits will continue from the point you were on as of December 30, 2012.  Please continue to claim weekly benefits in the usual manner, unless you receive instructions to file a new claim.

Please note that the Extended Benefits (EB) program ended in New York State on December 9, 2012.  At this time, we do not expect the EB program to return. EB is only available when the Total Unemployment Rate is at least 110% of the average for any or all of the corresponding three-month periods ending in the three preceding calendar years. Our unemployment rate does not meet these requirements.

Keep checking this website for updates on benefit extensions.  For current extension deadlines, see the EUC/EB Deadline Chart. For an estimate of the number of weeks of benefits for which you may qualify, see the Benefits Calculator or Chart.

• Unemployment Benefit Extensions
• Payment Options:
  • Direct Deposit
  • Direct Payment Card

Publications:

• All Unemployment Insurance Forms and Publications
• Claimant Handbook
• Fact Sheet (if you help others apply or file for UI)

Legal Information:

• UI Law
• UI Regulations
• UI Interpretation Index
• Recent Review Letters

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