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New York State

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on July 20, 2020.

We recommend that you monitor this site, as well as the sites referenced in these resources, for updates and changes as we expect the situation and solutions to change over the coming weeks and months. For information on specific programs, we encourage you to visit the websites of the organizations or government entities that are responsible for the relief.

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Description of Program and Relief

Department of Labor Waives 7-Day Waiting Period for Unemployment Insurance Due to COVID-19

Unemployment Insurance provides temporary income for eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. To collect benefits, the applicant must be ready, willing and able to work, and actively looking for work during each week in which the applicant is claiming benefits. Ordinarily, an applicant must wait 7 days after losing employment before applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits. The New York State Department of Labor has waived the 7-day waiting period for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines.

Government or Lead Agency

New York State Department of Labor

Dates Available

Effective March 15, 2020, continuing indefinitely.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

  1. Contact for More Information

Telephone Claim Center: 1-888-209-8124

Monday through Thursday, 8 am to 7:30 pm.

Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Saturday, 7:30 am to 8:00 pm

List of Additional Information

More information on the program is available here: https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm, and additional information in the Claimant Handbook is available here: https://labor.ny.gov/formsdocs/ui/TC318.3e.pdf.

The Application

For the application form, click here. For the online application for Unemployment Insurance or the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, click here.

You will need to use NY.gov ID credentials to access the application form. If you do not already have NY.gov ID credentials, you can request them using the following forms:

  1. For those who do not have an NY.gov ID, and have a completed initial Unemployment Insurance claim on file: https://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/pdf/guide-6.pdf

  2. The day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name:

  3. Last names starting with A - F, should file claims on Monday.

  4. Last names starting with G - N, should file claims on Tuesday.

  5. Last names starting with O - Z, file claims on Wednesday.

  6. If you missed your filing day, you should then file your claim on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Filing later in the week will not delay payments or affect the date of claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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