You must seek weekly benefits for each week you are unemployed and satisfy the eligibility conditions after you have filed a claim for benefits.
This is also known as “benefits certification.” As soon as you get notice from the DOL, you will begin certifying. Go to www.labor.ny.gov/signin for more information. To keep receiving payments, you must have to certify every week you are unemployed.
You are verifying that you were unemployed for all or part of the previous week and that you meet the other eligibility requirements for welfare during this process.
You will be asked if you are eager, willing, and able to work each week while certifying benefits, and if you have been actively looking for work. Because of the pandemic and New York State’s PAUSE, we realize that many of you are unable to function. To earn the insurance, you must say ‘YES’ if you would not be able to function.
The size of your weekly welfare payout (benefit rate) is determined by how much and what you were paying prior to being unemployed. To figure out your rate, we use a formula.
What do you do? Nothing is required of you except to begin certifying weekly until the DOL has told you to do so. Your benefits will be immediately revised.
(Please do not call; doing so would make it more difficult for someone to contact an agent.)
When Should You Certify?
A week is described as Monday through Sunday in the context of unemployment insurance.
You must register the petition for the preceding week from the end of the week (Sunday) to the end of the next week (Saturday). The argument window is what it’s called.
Any credential issued on a Sunday is valid for the next week.
Online, you can verify your weekly benefits
Follow this step-by-step guide to certifying for your weekly benefits:
- Go to www.labor.ny.gov/signin for more information.
- Enter your username and password for NY.gov.
- On the My Online Services tab, click the “Unemployment Services” button.
- Then, under “Certify to Claim Your Weekly Benefits Here,” press “Certify to Claim Your Weekly Benefits Here” and follow the directions.
Note: If you use an anonymous internet address provider, please disable it while requesting weekly benefits. Your license could be revoked if anything happens.
Are you prepared? Be certain you have the following items with you:
To create an online account, you’ll need a NY.gov ID. You will use the NY.gov ID username and password for our system if you already have one. If you don’t already have a NY.gov ID, build one using the directions on our website at labor.ny.gov/signin.
Between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call the Contact Center at 800-833-3000 if you’re having trouble with your NY.gov ID. Monday through Friday
By phone, you can apply for weekly benefits
During working hours, the Telephone Claim Center is toll-free to certify:
For citizens of New York State, dial 1-888-581-5812. Please call a separate number if you are earning PUA benefits and wish to certify by phone. See the PUA qualification guidelines for the week.
You can authorize another person to assist you if you have a disability and need assistance filing your petition.
- You must be present to use your PIN each time they assist you. You will be kept responsible for the assistant’s conduct.
- If you are not present when your helper supports you, you can face fines, including the loss of benefits.
Callers can enlist the assistance of a friend or relative to assist them with phone claims if they:
- Have issues with your hearing or speech?
- For whatever excuse, you’re having trouble using your cell.
Hearing Problems
Make a call to the Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-783-1370 for your assistance.
TTY/TDD
Contact the Telephone Claims Center at 1-888-783-1370 after speaking with a relay operator at 1-800-662-1220.
What to Do and Expect After You’ve Been Certified
- The Governor has suspended the one-week delay time for those affected by the pandemic public health crisis as of March 12, 2020. If the word “waiting week” appears in your billing history, it is a legacy of our previous scheme and has no bearing on your benefits.
- If you are entitled, the first payment will be received within two to three weeks of the completion and processing of your claim. In certain circumstances, we’ll need more details before we can make a payment, so your first payment might take longer. We’ll take this time to review and process your benefits submission. During this time, you will not be eligible for any compensation. This is why your claim status can appear to be “pending.”
- Claim weekly payments as long as you are jobless and follow the eligibility criteria.
- Check your mail and email regularly, and respond promptly to any questionnaires, online forms, or phone calls from the Department of Labor to avoid payment delays.
- If you are considered worthy, the first paycheck will include any back weeks of compensation accrued to you.
- Your benefits will be sent to you via direct deposit or bank debit card.
- If you are considered to be ineligible, you will be sent a decision that explains why. If you object, you have 30 days from the date of the determination to request a hearing. Visit the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board’s website for more information.