NYS Department of Labor is definitely the right agency but good luck actually getting help from them when you need it!! Their phone system is a nightmare and the website crashes all the time. Been fighting with them over an adjudication issue for weeks now.

@Lilly Curtis - Yes, exactly! "UI" stands for Unemployment Insurance, which is administered by the NYS Department of Labor. You might also see it referred to as "unemployment benefits" or just "unemployment" in casual conversation, but it's all the same program. When you file your claim, you'll be dealing directly with NYS DOL through their online system. Just make sure you have your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and your most recent employer's information ready when you apply.

have u tried the automated system? sometimes u can verify through there

Ugh this is so frustrating! I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now. My ID.me got suspended out of nowhere and I can't get any help. The unemployment office keeps saying they can't do anything about ID.me issues and ID.me support is basically nonexistent. How is this even legal that they can just lock us out of our benefits like this? Really considering trying that claimyr thing Romeo mentioned because I'm desperate at this point 😩

Don't stress about it too much. The whole NYS Department of Labor system is confusing at first but once you get your unemployment insurance number assigned, everything becomes clearer. Just make sure to save that number somewhere safe because you'll be using it constantly.

I had the exact same confusion when I first applied! Just to add to what everyone else has said - once you get your unemployment insurance number, write it down and keep it handy. You'll need it every single week when you certify for benefits, and if you ever have to call NYS Department of Labor about anything related to your claim. It's basically your ticket to accessing all your unemployment services. The good news is that once you have it, the weekly certification process becomes pretty straightforward.

Good luck with your hearing! The judge was pretty fair in my case. Just tell the truth and don't let your employer intimidate you with their HR person or lawyer if they bring one.

I just went through this process a few months ago and I totally understand your nervousness! Here's what helped me prepare: 1) Write down a clear timeline of exactly what happened leading up to your separation from work, 2) Gather any emails, texts, or documents that support your version of events, 3) Think about any witnesses who could back up your story (coworkers, supervisors, etc.), and 4) Practice explaining your situation clearly and calmly. During the hearing, the judge will ask you to tell your side first, then your employer gets to respond, and then there might be follow-up questions. Stay calm, stick to the facts, and don't get defensive even if your employer says things that upset you. The judge has heard it all before and they're pretty good at spotting when employers are stretching the truth. You've got this!

2019 feels like a different world now doesn't it? Back when getting unemployment was relatively rare and the biggest worry was finding the RIGHT job not just ANY job. Those were the days when the NYS Department of Labor offices weren't completely overwhelmed with claims.

For anyone else looking for NYS historical unemployment data, I found that the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) website also has New York state unemployment rates going back years, including 2019. It's another good cross-reference source if you want to verify the DOL numbers. The data there shows the same 3.8% annual rate for 2019 that others mentioned. Really useful for academic research since it's easily downloadable in different formats.