In this post we´re going here to walk you through for unemployment benefits with the online system. Before we start, we want to assure you thath if you are elegible for unemployment benefits, you will receive those benefits back to the day you became unemployed.
We´ll keep you in the loop throughout the process throudh emails, text messages and letters so you know the status of your claim.
With this post you will learn:
- The information you´ll need before you begin your application.
- How to sign up for NY.goc account.
- Where to apply – and some of the questions you´ll be asked.
- How we will communicate with you after you submit your application.
- And how to certify weekly for benefits after your application is complete.
The New York State Department of Labor recently launched a new application for unemployment benefits. The application allows New Yorkers to apply just once to receive the correct Unemployment Insurance, also known as UI, or PUA.
A new form of unemployment relief for those who are not traditionally elegible for unemployment benefits. This article will show you how to file and what to expect during the process.
Information
Before you file your claim for benefits, make sure you have all the following information ready:
- Full name.
- Phone number.
- Mailing adress, including city and zip code.
- Social Security Number.
- Driver´s license or motor vehicle ID card number (if you have either oner).
- Alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen).
- Your bank account number and routing number (if you want direct deposit, which will help you get your benefits faster).
Bank account and routing number can also both be found by logging into your online bank account.
You also must your wage and employer information. If you have an employer, you can get the following information from your most recent W-2 or your Record of Employment provided by your employer:
- Federal Employer Indentificaction Number (FEIN)
- New York State Employer Registration Number
- Employer full name and address
- Wage details
Self-Employed
If you are self-employed, please have the following information ready:
- The name and business addredd of your self-employment
- The net annual income from your most recent filed tax year, which can be found on your tax form.
Create Account
After you have collected all this information and you´re ready to file, you will need to create a NY.gov account in order to access Unemployment Online Services. This is how you will receive updates on your account, register for direct deposit and communicate with the DOL through email.
If you have an existing NY.gov account, please do not create a new account.
Use the NY.gov login and password that you already have. If you have forgotten your password, or have other questions about your account, refer to on.ny.gov/techhelp for assistance.
If you do not have a NY.gov account, sign up for one at labor.ny.gov/signin. Click the “Create NY.gov Account” and answer the questions when prompted.
Apply for benefits
Once you have created a NY.gov account, you can apply for unemployment benefits online:
To do so, visit unemployment.labor.ny.gov. You will first come to the login screen, please login with your NY.gov username and password.
Once you have succesfully logged in, you will see a welcome screen. It will state your first and last name, not your NV.gov username. Select the “FILE A CLAIM” button to begin your claim.
On the first page of the online claim application, you will see general instructions and a reminder about the information you should have on hand to file your claim. Read the instructions carefully, then select the “CONTINUE” button.
You´ll first be asked to enter your Social Security Number. Next you will create your Personal Identification Number, or PIN. It is important to remember your PIN. This is your electronic signature and you will use it every time you access the claims processing system. Never share your PIN with others.
On this page, you´ll also be asked to enter your mother´s maiden name, which is used for security purposes. Please double-check spelling before you continue.
The next screen you see will be a list of Terms & Conditions that apply to your application for benefits. Read all the terms and conditions carefully and select “I AGREE” to continue.
You will then be asked a series of questions about your last 18 months of employment. Answer these questions accurately based on your situation.
This application will only ask you the questions that appropiate for your claim. For expample, if you indicate that you are self-employed, you will not be asked for information from a W-2.
Weekly Certification
When you have answered all the question in the application, you will come to the Weekly Certification screen for the week in which you are filing. You will be required to answer a few questions about your dats worked and wages earned over the last week.
We understand that many of you are unable to work due to the pandemic.
When completing your benefits claim, you will be asked whether yo were ready, willing and able to work.
Read the full question and answer “Yes”, if there are any other reasons BESIDES the pandemic-related reasons listed that you cannot work. Answer “No” if you were ready, willing and able to work if NOT for the pandemic-related reasons listed.
Benefit Payment
Next you will be asked how you would like to receive your benefit payments if you are found elegible.
Use the drop-down menu to select direct deposit or debit card. Direct deposit is the fasteft and easiest method to receive unemployment benefits. If you choose this method of payment, you will be prompted to enter your ban account information.
Review your claim
The final step in your application is reviewing your claim. Select “EDIT” if you need to make changes.
Once you have reviewed your claim, select “SUBMIT” to complete your application.
Confirmation
You will hten see the confirmation page, which includes important information about next steps. READ and PRINT this page for your records, then select “SIGN OUT” to exit the application.
After you have submitted your claim, the DOL will then begin reviewing and processing your aplication for benefits. The DOL will call you if your claim is incomplete, which means your application has missing or incorrect information, or if they need more information about your claim.
There is no need to call them. They will send you messages as your claim moves through the system.
Certify Benefits
During this time, you will be required to certify for benefits for all weeks you are unemployed and elegible for benefits. You will recevie an email, text or letter form the DOL once you are able to certify for benefits.
The fastest and easiest way to certify is online at labor.ny.gov/signin.
Sign in with your NY.gov ID and password, and click the “Unemployment Services” button on the My Online Services page.
Then click “Certify to Claim Your Weekly Benefits Here” and follow the instructions to certify.
If you are unable to certify online, you can also call our automated phone system.
Call: 888-581-5812 to certify for UI benefits, or 833-324-0366 to certify for PUA benefits.
Remeber, certify every week one you have been notified that you are able to certify. This will ensure that you are able to collect benefits back to your first day of unemployment. Once your claim is officially processe, you will receive a determination letter which tells you if you are elegible for UI or PUA, and if you are, how much your weekly benefit payments will be.
You will also get a message from the Department of Labor. This letter will be sent to the mailing address in the application, but you also will be able to get information on your weekly benefit payments via your NY.gov account.
Status of Payments
To see the status of your payments, login with your NY.gov ID, click on “Unemployment Services” and select “View Payment History”.
You will be able to see if we have released your payment. Once a payment has been released by the DOL, it will typically appear in your bank account or debit card within three business days.