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The following TERMS and CONDITIONS apply to your application for Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Provide Complete and Accurate Information
  • If you give us incomplete or incorrect information, your claim and any payments that may be due to you could be delayed.

  • If you give us false information or withhold information, your future benefits will be lost or reduced and you may face other serious consequences including the possibility of prosecution.
Submit your Claim

Once you begin your application, always move forward until you are finished.

You will lose information if you do any of the following before you submit your claim:

  • exit the application
  • lose your Internet connection or
  • using your browser's "back" button.

You can look over, change or print your responses in the "Review of Application Responses" section.

When you are done, select the "Submit Claim" button.

Keep Your Contact Information Current

By signing up for an on-line account, you agree to keep the contact information you have given us up to date. Required information includes your mailing address, email address, and phone number. If your contact information changes, you agree to update that information for our records.

Respond to All Department Requests

You agree to check and respond to messages and questionnaires we may send to you through the NY.gov secure message system and all messages, forms and letters we send you by mail. You must respond within the timeframes listed in those documents.

You acknowledge and understand that if you fail to:

  • keep your contact information up-to-date,
  • check your NY.gov secure message inbox, and/or
  • respond to our communications within the timeframes listed in those documents, your benefits may be delayed, suspended or denied.
  • Please note: If you receive benefits that we determine you were not eligible for, you may be required to repay some or all of these benefits.
Keep Important Claim Information

After you submit your claim, you will see a "Confirmation Page" that lists additional information and instructions.

  • Print or write down the information on that page for future reference.
  • If you do not follow these instructions, your payments may be delayed or lost.

If you want to keep a copy of your entire application, you may print each page at the "Review of Application Responses" section.

Direct Deposit Option
  • Print or write down the "Direct Deposit Information Review" page information before submitting your direct deposit information.
  • This will be your only proof of the account information you provided.
Call if Instructed

Not all applications may be completed online. If you see a confirmation page that says you must speak with a claims specialist to complete your application for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must call the Telephone Claims Center. The information you provide online will be saved. However, your claim will not be processed until you make that call.

Keep Your PIN Secure

***NEVER Tell Anyone Your PIN (Personal Identification Number)***

When you submit a claim, you will be prompted to create a PIN. Your PIN is your electronic signature.

You will use your PIN every time you access the claims processing system. You could lose up to 20 weeks of benefits if you allow another person to use your PIN.

If you are a person with a disability who is unable to access our services without the help of another person, you may allow another person to help you. However, you must be present each time your helper uses our services, including when your helper enters your PIN. You are responsible for the actions of your helper.
You may be subject to penalties, including forfeiture of benefits, if you are not present when your helper accesses our services.

9 Things You Must Do When Filing for Unemployment Insurance

Report Hours Worked for Partial Unemployment. New York State has modified the rules for partial unemployment eligibility so that New Yorkers can take on part-time work without losing disproportionate benefits. Visit updated guidance on reporting part-time work.

  1. Report your work in any week you work more than ten hours. Beginning the week ending August 22, 2021, you will report your days of work in a week based on how many total hours you work. If you work up to ten hours in a week, you will not need to report any days of work. For more information, go to on.ny.gov/partial.

  2. Be accurate. Carefully read all letters the Department of Labor sends to you. Follow the instructions and return all forms as soon as possible. This will help prevent delays in UI payments.

  3. Be available to work. You must be able to take a job right away. Every week, you must verify that you were ready, willing, and able to work.

  4. Look for work. You must search for work each week and keep a written record of every employer you contact. Work Search Frequently Asked Questions.

  5. Make a work search plan. Contact a New York State Career Center to get help planning your work search. Go to www.labor.ny.gov to find the location nearest you. You may also call (800) 447-3992. Choose your language and pick option 3.

  6. Stop claiming benefits as soon as you return to work. Do not wait for your first paycheck. You are no longer eligible for benefits when you start working a full-time job. You may be eligible for partial benefits if you get part-time work.

  7. Read your Claimant Handbook. It tells you about your rights and responsibilities while collecting Unemployment Insurance benefits. It also lists additional benefits and services for which you may be eligible. Electronic and audio versions are also available on our website.

  8. Avoid Fraud. Do the right thing and follow the rules while you get benefits. If you do not follow the rules, you could face serious legal consequences.

  9. If you don't know, ask for help. Unemployment Insurance representatives are available to help you. Call 1-888-209-8124 or go to our website for answers.