NY unemployment login says 'no account found' - can't access old email, need help ASAP
I'm trying to file for ny unemployment but I'm having serious login issues. Every time I try to log in to my NY.gov account, it keeps saying 'no account found.' The bigger problem is I don't have access to my old email anymore that I used when I first created the account (switched providers last month). Should I just start all over with a new account or is there another way to recover my existing account? Don't want to mess anything up with my claim history. Has anyone dealt with this before? Need help ASAP as my rent is due next week! 🆘
19 comments
Join the conversation
Myles Regis
same thing happened to my cousin last week. he just made a new account. no big deal
0 coins
Khalil Urso
•But won't that cause problems with my old claim history? I filed before in 2023 and don't want to lose that information or get flagged for having duplicate accounts.
0 coins
Brian Downey
DO NOT create a new account!!! This is definitely something you need to call about. Having multiple accounts can flag your claim and delay your benefits for WEEKS! The system gets confused when there are duplicate SSNs in the system. You need to speak with a rep who can help recover your existing account.
0 coins
Jacinda Yu
•I had the exact same issue in January - couldn't access my email AND got the 'no account found' message. Spent 3 days trying to get through on the phone with no luck. Finally tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They verified my identity with other info and reset everything for me. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - totally worth it since I was able to file that same day instead of waiting forever.
0 coins
Landon Flounder
omg this system is THE WORST!!! i've been locked out 3 times this year already!!! the DOL needs to fix their garbage website!!! why can't they make something that actually WORKS?? and good luck getting anyone on the phone - i waited 4 HOURS last time only to have them hang up on me!!!!
0 coins
Callum Savage
•While the system certainly has issues, there are specific steps you can take in this situation. Call the NYSDOL Technical Support line at 800-833-3000 (option 1, then option 2). Explain that you need account recovery without access to your original email. They'll ask for verification information like your SSN, date of birth, address, and possibly information from previous claims. Be prepared to answer security questions. Alternatively, you can visit a NY Career Center in person with your ID, and they can often resolve these account issues on the spot.
0 coins
Ally Tailer
This happend to me too! I think when they did that big system update in February 2025 it messed up a bunch of accounts. I kept getting that same error message. I think it might be because your trying to login with your email but the system wants your username? At least that was my issue LOL
0 coins
Khalil Urso
•Wait, that might be it! I always used my email to log in before, but maybe I need to use my username now? Problem is I don't remember what I set as my username... ugh this is so frustrating.
0 coins
Aliyah Debovski
Hey there - I work in IT (not for NY state though) and deal with account issues all the time. The "no account found" message usually means one of three things: 1. You're using the wrong login credentials 2. You're on the wrong login page (NY has multiple systems) 3. Your account was deactivated due to inactivity If you haven't used your account in over a year, it might have been deactivated for security reasons. As others said, DON'T create a new account - this will definitely cause problems. You need to call and have them reactivate your original account.
0 coins
Khalil Urso
•That makes sense - it has been about 14 months since I last logged in. I'll definitely call rather than creating a new account. Thanks for the IT perspective!
0 coins
Myles Regis
my friend just went to the office in person and they fixed it right there
0 coins
Khalil Urso
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! I used the technical support number that was suggested (800-833-3000) and after trying for most of the morning, I got through. They verified my identity with my SSN, address, and asking about my last claim. Turns out my account WAS deactivated due to inactivity, just like someone here suggested. They reactivated it and sent a password reset to my new email that I provided. All fixed now and I was able to file my claim! Thanks everyone for your help!!!
0 coins
Callum Savage
•Great news! I'm glad you got it resolved. Just a reminder for others reading this thread - accounts do get deactivated after 12-18 months of inactivity. If you think you might need to file again in the future, it's a good idea to log in occasionally just to keep your account active. Also, always keep your contact information updated, especially email addresses and phone numbers.
0 coins
Ally Tailer
Congrats on getting it fixed! The unemployment system is such a headache sometimes but glad it worked out!
0 coins
Giovanni Gallo
So glad you got this resolved! This thread is super helpful for anyone else who runs into the same issue. I bookmarked the tech support number (800-833-3000) just in case I ever need it. It's crazy how many people don't realize accounts can get deactivated for inactivity - the state should really send some kind of warning email before doing that. Thanks for updating us with the solution!
0 coins
Atticus Domingo
•Totally agree! This whole thread should be pinned or something - so many people probably run into this exact same issue. The inactivity deactivation thing is really not well communicated at all. Would save everyone so much stress if they just sent a heads up email like "hey, your account will be deactivated in 30 days unless you log in" or something. At least now we know the tech support line actually works if you're persistent enough!
0 coins
Ella Russell
This is such a common issue! I work at a workforce development center and we see this all the time. For future reference, here are some tips to avoid this happening again: 1) Set a calendar reminder to log into your account every 6 months even if you're not filing, 2) Update your email/phone in your profile before switching providers, and 3) Write down your username somewhere safe (separate from your email). The 12-18 month inactivity rule catches so many people off guard. Really glad you got it sorted out though - that tech support line is definitely the way to go for account recovery issues!
0 coins
Caden Turner
•This is really solid advice! I wish I had known about the inactivity rule before this whole mess happened. The calendar reminder idea is brilliant - definitely setting that up now. It's frustrating that NY doesn't make these policies more obvious, but at least this thread will help others who run into the same problem. Thanks for sharing your expertise from the workforce center perspective!
0 coins
Miguel Ramos
Wow, this thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - my account shows "no account found" and I switched email providers about 6 months ago. Reading through all the responses, it sounds like calling the tech support line at 800-833-3000 is definitely the way to go rather than creating a new account. The inactivity deactivation thing makes total sense - I probably haven't logged in for over a year. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions! This gives me hope that I can get it resolved without too much hassle.
0 coins