THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LAUNCHES UPGRADED UNEMPLOY...

Customers Are Now Able to File New Claims in the Upgraded System

Customers Are Now Able to Certify for Benefits Missed During the Upgrade Period

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced the launch of Unemployment Services, New York's upgraded unemployment insurance system. The rollout began with a soft launch on Thursday, November 12, during which thousands of New Yorkers successfully certified for benefits. The soft launch continued on Friday, November 13, as NYSDOL sent text and email notifications letting claimants know they could access the new system, with over 50,000 claimants having already certified benefits. Customers can now file new claims, certify for weekly benefits, including those missed during the upgrade period, and update account information. Customers with an existing NY.gov account should use their current username and password and should not create a new account.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The successful completion of our unemployment insurance system upgrade marks a transformative milestone for our agency and the millions of New Yorkers we serve. More than 50,000 New Yorkers successfully certified for benefits through the new system, an encouraging start as we deliver the user-friendly and efficient experience our customers have asked for and deserve. I want to thank our incredible staff and partners, whose years of dedicated hard work made this successful transition possible. This is a proud moment for our agency and a major win for all New Yorkers."

Now that the upgrade is complete, individuals and businesses should be aware of the following:

• Accessing the upgraded system: Current customers can log in with the same username and password they used previously. All existing accounts have been moved to the upgraded system. Go to the Department's website to access the login page.
• File or certify to avoid further payment delays: The system upgrade delayed benefit payments. Customers must file a new claim or certify for weekly benefits in the upgraded system to receive all payments due to them.
• Work Search Requirements: To stay eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, customers must complete and record at least THREE work search activities each week. The upgraded system will require customers to submit their work search activities in the system each time they certify and failure to do so will prevent customers from receiving benefits.
• Tax Filing: The Unemployment Services upgrade did not affect electronic filing for NYS-1 (Return of Tax Withheld) and NYS-45 (Quarterly Combined Withholding, Wage Reporting and Unemployment Insurance Return) through the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance (TAX). Businesses will continue to file NYS-1 and NYS-45 through TAX.

Key Advantages of the Upgraded System

• Mobile-Friendly Design: Most customers can now complete the entire claims process, including filing, certifying, and uploading documents, fully online, including from a smartphone or tablet. This will greatly reduce the need to call for assistance.
• Reduced Processing Delays: By proactively prompting customers to provide missing information during the application process, the upgraded system helps to prevent the common errors that historically caused claims to be flagged for manual review.
• Real-time Access: Individuals can now see the status of their claim at any time. Additionally, businesses will now have 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week access to make payments, view and update account information, add third-party representation, respond to requests for information about claims filed against their accounts, and more. The upgraded system also provides better access to rate and financial information, helping to reduce overpayments and underpayments.
• Enhanced Accessibility: The system is fully compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, ensuring New Yorkers with disabilities can access benefits seamlessly.

This significant overhaul of the unemployment insurance system is part of NYSDOL's plan to modernize its customer-facing services. NYSDOL's upgraded Unemployment Services system was designed with years of feedback from New Yorkers in mind and upholds NYSDOL's dedication to strong personal information protections and fraud prevention.

For assistance navigating the upgraded Unemployment Services portal, visit the Department's Unemployment Services webpage.