Where to log in and what you need

New York's unemployment system uses a single portal called NY.gov Unemployment Insurance. You log in at labor.ny.gov using your Social Security number and a password you create during your first visit. You do not need a separate username — the system uses your Social Security number as your identifier.

Before you attempt to log in, have your Social Security number ready and a valid email address where you can receive messages from the Department of Labor. If you are logging in for the first time, the system will ask you to set a password and choose security questions. Write down or save your password somewhere safe; you will need it every time you return.

The login page is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, the system sometimes goes offline for maintenance on Sunday evenings between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern time. If you cannot log in during that window, wait until after 10 p.m. or try again the next morning.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at labor.ny.gov using your Social Security number and a password you create on your first visit.
  • The system is down for maintenance Sunday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, so plan your login around that window.
  • Once logged in, you can file weekly claims, check your payment status, and update your contact information without calling the Department of Labor.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it using your email address.
  • The system works on most browsers, but Internet Explorer is not supported — use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge instead.

Creating your account on your first login

The first time you visit labor.ny.gov, you will not see a login box. Instead, you will see a button that says "Create Account" or "New User." Click that button and enter your Social Security number. The system will search the Department of Labor's records to confirm you have an open claim or have filed one recently.

If the system finds your record, it will ask you to create a password (at least 8 characters, with at least one number and one uppercase letter). Then you will choose two security questions and provide answers only you would know. These questions are your backup if you forget your password later. After you complete these steps, you will be logged in and can see your claim details when ready.

If the system does not find your record, it means either your claim has not been processed yet, or you have not filed a claim at all. New claims can take 3 to 5 business days to appear in the system. If you filed more than a week ago and still cannot log in, call the Department of Labor at 1-888-209-8124 to confirm your claim was received.

What to do if you forget your password

On the labor.ny.gov login page, click the link that says "Forgot Password." Enter your Social Security number. The system will send a password reset link to the email address on file with your claim. Check your email (including your spam folder) within 10 minutes.

Click the link in the email and create a new password. The link expires after 24 hours, so if you do not see the email right away, wait a few minutes and check again. If you still do not receive an email after 15 minutes, your email address on file may be incorrect. Call 1-888-209-8124 and ask the Department of Labor to update your email address, then try the password reset again.

Logging in on a phone or tablet

The NY.gov Unemployment Insurance portal works on phones and tablets, but the experience is different from a computer. The mobile version shows fewer details on each screen and requires more scrolling. For tasks like filing your weekly claim or checking payment dates, the mobile version works fine. For reviewing detailed claim information or uploading documents, a computer is easier to use.

If you are using a phone, make sure you are using a modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Older phones with outdated browsers may have trouble loading the page. If the page looks broken or buttons do not respond, try opening it in a different browser or on a computer instead.

Common login problems and how to fix them

The system says "No record found." This usually means your claim has not been entered into the system yet. New claims take 3 to 5 business days to process. If you filed more than a week ago, call 1-888-209-8124 to check the status. Do not create a new account — wait for the first one to appear.

You are locked out after too many wrong password attempts. The system locks your account for 30 minutes after five wrong passwords in a row. Wait 30 minutes, then try again. If you do not remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link instead of guessing.

The page will not load or keeps timing out. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then reload the page. If that does not work, try a different browser. If the problem happens during the Sunday maintenance window (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time), wait until after 10 p.m. to try again.

You see an error message about your browser. The system does not work with Internet Explorer. Use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge instead. If you are using one of those browsers and still see an error, try updating your browser to the latest version.

What you can do after you log in

Once you are logged in, you can file your weekly claim without calling anyone. The system opens new claims for filing every Sunday at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time. You have until the following Saturday at 11:59 p.m. to file that week's claim. Filing early (on Sunday or Monday) is faster than waiting until Friday, when the system is busier.

You can also check the status of your payments, see the dates when payments were sent, and view your claim balance. If you need to update your address, phone number, or email, you can do that in the account settings without calling the Department of Labor. You can also upload documents if the Department of Labor asks you to verify your identity or income.

The system does not let you change your weekly benefit amount or reopen a closed claim through the portal. For those tasks, you will need to call 1-888-209-8124 or visit a local Department of Labor office in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in with a username instead of my Social Security number?

No. New York's system uses only your Social Security number as your login identifier. You create a password, but the username field is always your Social Security number. This is true whether you are logging in on a computer, phone, or tablet.

What if I do not have an email address?

You will need an email address to create an account and to reset your password if you forget it. If you do not have one, you can create a free email account at Gmail.com, Yahoo.com, or Outlook.com in a few minutes. Use that email address when you create your unemployment account.

Is it safe to log in on a public computer or phone?

It is safer to log in on your own device. If you must use a public computer, log out completely when you are done, and do not check the box that says "Remember me" or "Keep me logged in." Public computers may have software that captures passwords, so avoid them if possible.

Can I log in if I am outside New York or outside the United States?

Yes. The labor.ny.gov website is accessible from anywhere. However, if you are outside the United States and need to call the Department of Labor, international calling rates may explore. The phone number is 1-888-209-8124.

What should I do if someone else has access to my account?

Change your password when ready by using the "Forgot Password" link. Then call 1-888-209-8124 and tell the Department of Labor that your account may have been compromised. They can flag your account and review recent activity to make sure no fraudulent claims were filed in your name.