The NYC Department of Labor uses the same login as the rest of New York State
You do not log in through a separate NYC system. Instead, you use the New York State Department of Labor website, which serves all of New York including New York City. The login portal is called UI Online, and it is where you check your claim status, view payment history, report weekly, and manage your account.
The website is labor.ny.gov. From there, you will see a button or link for "UI Online" — this is the actual login page. You will need your Social Security number and a password you created when you first filed your claim.
If you have never logged in before, you will need to create an account. This happens the first time you file a claim or the first time you try to access UI Online after your claim is processed.
Key Takeaways
- UI Online is the official New York State portal for all unemployment accounts, including those filed in New York City.
- You log in using your Social Security number and a password you set up when your claim was filed or processed.
- If you forget your password, you can reset it on the login page using your Social Security number and email address.
- Weekly claims are filed through UI Online, and you must do this every week to keep receiving payments.
- If you cannot log in after trying password reset, contact the New York State Department of Labor by phone or through their online message system.
What information you need before you log in
Have your Social Security number ready. This is your username for UI Online — you cannot log in with your name or any other identifier.
You will also need the password you created when your claim was first processed. If you do not remember it, you can reset it on the login page itself. The reset process asks for your Social Security number and the email address you used when you filed. New York will send you a link to create a new password.
If you are logging in for the first time after filing a claim, the system may ask you security questions based on your personal history — things like previous addresses or loan amounts. Answer these carefully. If you get three answers wrong, you will be locked out temporarily.
Step-by-step: logging in to UI Online
- Go to labor.ny.gov in your web browser.
- Look for the "UI Online" button or link. It is usually on the homepage or under a "Claimants" or "File a Claim" section.
- Click it. You will be taken to the login page.
- Enter your Social Security number in the first field (without dashes).
- Enter your password in the second field.
- Click "Sign In."
- If this is your first login, you may be asked security questions. Answer them accurately.
- Once logged in, you will see your claim summary, payment history, and options to file your weekly claim.
The entire process takes about two to three minutes if you remember your password. If you need to reset your password, add another five to ten minutes.
What to do if you cannot remember your password
On the UI Online login page, look for a link that says "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password." Click it.
You will be asked for your Social Security number and the email address associated with your account. Enter both. New York will send a password reset link to that email address. The link is usually valid for 24 hours.
Click the link in the email. You will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Make it something you can remember but that is not straightforward to guess — avoid birthdays, names, or straightforward sequences.
Once you have set your new password, go back to the login page and try again with your Social Security number and your new password.
If you are locked out or cannot log in after password reset
If you have tried to log in multiple times and the system will not let you in, you may be temporarily locked out. This usually lasts 24 hours. Wait a full day and try again.
If you still cannot log in after 24 hours, or if the password reset email never arrives, contact the New York State Department of Labor directly. You can call 1-888-209-8124 (this is the main unemployment line for New York). Have your Social Security number ready.
You can also send a message through UI Online itself if you can get to the login page — there is usually a "Contact Us" or "Help" link. Describe what is happening and include your Social Security number. Response time is usually one to three business days.
Do not create a second account or try to file a new claim. This will complicate your existing claim and delay any payments you are owed.
What you can do once you are logged in
Once you are in UI Online, you will see a dashboard with your claim information. From here, you can file your weekly claim — this is required every week to continue receiving payments. You must do this by the important date shown on your screen, usually Sunday night or Monday morning depending on your claim type.
You can also view your payment history, which shows every payment sent to you and the dates. You can see which weeks you were paid for and which are still pending.
The account shows your claim balance — the total amount of benefits you are may have access to to receive during your benefit year. This number goes down each time you are paid.
You can update your direct deposit information if you want payments sent to a different bank account. You can also view any notices or documents the Department of Labor has sent you about your claim.
Common login problems and how to fix them
You see "Invalid Social Security Number." Make sure you are entering your number without dashes (for example: 123456789, not 123-45-6789). Also check that you are not using any spaces. If you are still getting this error, your claim may not have been processed yet. Wait 24 to 48 hours after filing and try again.
You see "Account Locked" or "Too Many Login Attempts." Stop trying to log in. Wait at least 24 hours, then try again. If this keeps happening, call the Department of Labor at 1-888-209-8124.
The password reset email does not arrive. Check your spam or junk folder first. If it is not there, the email address on file may be wrong. Call 1-888-209-8124 and ask them to verify or update your email address.
You see "Claim Not Found." This usually means your claim has not been processed yet or there is a mismatch between the information you entered and what is in the system. Call 1-888-209-8124 with your Social Security number and the date you filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log into UI Online on my phone?
Yes. The website works on mobile browsers, though the layout is smaller. You can also read the official New York State Department of Labor mobile app, which has a login option. Search your phone's app store for "New York Department of Labor" to find it.
What if I filed my claim but never got a confirmation number or password?
When you file a claim online, you should receive a confirmation number when ready on screen. If you did not, your claim may not have submitted. Try filing again. For the password, it is created during the filing process — if you did not set one, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page and follow the reset steps.
Do I have to file my weekly claim through UI Online, or can I call instead?
You must file through UI Online or by phone. If you prefer the phone, call 1-888-209-8124 and select the option to file your weekly claim. However, filing online is faster and you get when ready confirmation.
Is UI Online the same for regular unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment information (PUA)?
No. PUA claims use a different system called the Pandemic Unemployment information portal. If you filed for PUA, you will have received a separate login and website information. Do not try to access PUA through the regular UI Online system.
What should I do if I see someone else's information when I log in?
Log out when ready. Do not take any action on that account. Call 1-888-209-8124 right away and report what you saw. This may indicate a security issue or a system error that needs to be investigated.