File for Unemployment Online in New York State

NY Department of Labor Guidelines for Filing for Jobless Benefits

Mar 29, 2010
Victoria Nicks

Get Your Documents in Order to File for NY Unemployment - Stock Xchng Image by iprole

Ready to file for jobless/unemployment benefits in New York State? Read on for all you need to know before applying, including a link to NY's online DOL application.

In New York State, you can file for unemployment benefits online if you're jobless, but there are various guidelines that you must follow. The NY Department of Labor (DOL) website provides information on the process scattered throughout its unemployment section. If you need to apply for benefits in New York, check to see if you qualify first. Then, determine the correct time to file and gather all of the information that you need before accessing the online unemployment benefit application for the state of NY.

Who is Qualified for NY Unemployment Benefits?

In order to qualify for benefits in NY, you must meet certain criteria as a claimant who is willing and able to work. First, you must have worked and earned money while in New York. Specifically, you must meet the following criteria for the base employment period:

You must have worked during at least two calendar quarters, and earned at least $1600.00 during any one of the calendar quarters during the base period. The calendar quarters used by the state of NY to determine unemployment eligibility are January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December. The base period is composed of the first four calendar quarters of the previous five completed quarters immediately prior to filing for benefits. For example, when filing in December, the base period would begin in July of the previous year and run through June of the current year.

In addition, the circumstances that caused the period of unemployment must meet with the state of New York's guidelines:

You must have lost your job due to being laid off, released due to downsizing, or other no-fault situations. Quitting, getting fired for cause, or going on strike in violation of strike rules can result in denial of benefits.

When to File for Unemployment in New York

Apply for jobless benefits as soon as you lose your job. The NY Department of Labor does not pay benefits during the one-week wait period, so filing early is in your best interests. Once employment has terminated, or been reduced, you should go to the

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York Department of Labor's Online Benefit Application" id="xnkw" href="https://ui.labor.state.ny.us/UBC/home.do">New York Department of Labor's Online Benefit Application. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and enter your Social Security Number to begin the process. You can apply online during the following hours:

Monday through Thursday: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Weekend: Anytime up until 7:00 PM on Sunday. (Includes all day Saturday)

Information Needed when Applying forJobless Benefits in NY

It is possible to file for jobless benefits without the following information, however, benefits may be delayed or denied without accurate information in the application. In order expedite your claim, be prepared with the following:

Valid Social Security Number (Or Alien Registration Card if not a citizen of the U.S.)
New York driver's license or ID card
Contact information, including daytime phone number and current mailing address
Employer information, such as Employer Registration Number or Federal Employer Identification Number, which can be found on W-2 tax forms, and contact information including address and phone number.
A copy of a personal check, if you are planning to request direct deposit of unemployment benefits. You'll need both the routing number of your bank, and the bank account number.

Unemployment Benefits in New York

Filing for benefits in the state of New York may seem complicated, but using the online application is not difficult. Prepare before filing by gathering the necessary information, research the qualifications, and then access the website during the right time of day, and jobless assistance should soon follow. If your benefit period is coming to an end, consider filing for an extension of NY unemployment benefits.