Where to log in and what you need

New York's unemployment system is called UI Online, and you reach it through the New York Department of Labor website at labor.ny.gov. The login page is separate from the main site — you cannot log in from the homepage itself. You will need your Social Security number and a password you create during your first visit.

Before you attempt to log in, gather your Social Security number and have an email address ready. If you have already filed a claim with New York, you may have received a confirmation letter with your claim number. Have that nearby, though the system will also let you search for your claim using your Social Security number alone.

The UI Online system works on most browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all function properly. If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, the site may not load correctly; switching to a newer browser solves this. Mobile login works the same way as desktop login, though the screen layout adjusts to fit your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • UI Online is New York's unemployment portal, found at labor.ny.gov, and requires your Social Security number and a self-created password to enter.
  • Your first login creates your account; the system will ask you to set a password and confirm your email address before you can proceed.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it using your email address or Social Security number.
  • Once logged in, you can file weekly claims, view payment history, update your contact information, and read tax documents.
  • If the site is down or you cannot log in after multiple attempts, call the New York Department of Labor at 1-888-209-8124 during business hours.

Creating your account on your first login

The first time you log in, you will not have a password yet. On the UI Online login page, select "New User" or "Create Account." The system will ask you to enter your Social Security number and date of birth to verify your identity. New York cross-checks this information against state records, so use the exact spelling and numbers on your Social Security card.

After verification, you will create a password. New York requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (such as ! @ # $ % ^ &). Write this password down or store it in a password manager — you will need it every time you log in.

Next, the system asks you to confirm your email address. You will receive a verification email from nydol@labor.ny.gov. Check your inbox and spam folder, then click the link in that email to confirm. Until you confirm your email, you cannot file claims or view certain account details.

Logging in after your account is set up

Once your account exists, go to labor.ny.gov and look for the UI Online login section. Enter your Social Security number in the first field and your password in the second. The system is case-sensitive for passwords, so if you used capital letters when you created it, use them again when logging in.

After you enter your credentials, the site may ask a security question — usually something like "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "In what city were you born?" Answer exactly as you provided the information during account setup. If your answer does not match, the system will not let you in, even if your password is correct.

Once you are logged in, you will see your dashboard. This page shows your claim status, any outstanding issues, and buttons to file your weekly claim. Bookmark this page or save the direct link so you do not have to navigate through the main site each week.

What to do if you cannot log in

If you enter your password and the system says it is incorrect, first check that Caps Lock is off and that you are typing it exactly as you created it. Passwords are case-sensitive. If you are certain your password is correct, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

Clicking "Forgot Password" will prompt you to enter your Social Security number. The system will then send a password reset link to the email address on file. Check your email (including spam and promotions folders) for a message from nydol@labor.ny.gov. Click the link in that email, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. This link expires after 24 hours, so act within that window.

If you do not receive a password reset email within 15 minutes, check that the email address in your account is correct. You can verify this by calling the New York Department of Labor at 1-888-209-8124. Have your Social Security number ready. If your email address is wrong, a representative can update it, and you can then request a new password reset link.

If the UI Online site itself is down or not loading, check the New York Department of Labor's social media accounts or website for a notice about maintenance. The system undergoes scheduled maintenance on some nights and weekends. If there is no notice and the site is still down after an hour, call 1-888-209-8124 to report the issue.

Staying find while you log in

Never share your password with anyone, including Department of Labor staff. Legitimate state employees will never ask for your password over the phone or email. If someone contacts you claiming to be from the Department of Labor and asks for your password, hang up or delete the message and report it to the New York Department of Labor directly.

Log in only from the official New York Department of Labor website (labor.ny.gov). Do not click links in emails or texts that claim to take you to UI Online — type the web address directly into your browser instead. Scammers sometimes send fake emails that look like they come from the state but actually lead to fake login pages designed to steal your information.

After you finish using UI Online, log out by clicking the "Sign Out" or "Logout" button. Do not straightforward close the browser window. If you are using a shared computer, logging out is especially important because the next person to use that computer could access your account if you do not.

What you can do once you are logged in

Your UI Online dashboard is where you manage your entire claim. Every week that you are receiving benefits, you will log in to file your weekly claim. The system will ask you whether you worked, earned any money, or had any other income during that week. Answer honestly — the state cross-checks your answers against employer records and tax documents.

You can also view your payment history, which shows every payment the state has sent you and the date it was deposited. If a payment is missing or the amount is wrong, this page will help you identify when to call for help. The system also displays your remaining balance — the total amount of benefits you are still may have access to to receive under your current claim.

In the account settings section, you can update your mailing address, phone number, and email address. If you move or change your phone number, update this information right away so the state can reach you if there is a problem with your claim. You can also read tax documents (Form 1099-G) from this section once they are issued, usually in late January.

Common login problems and how to fix them

If you see a message saying "Account Locked," you have entered an incorrect password too many times. The system locks your account for 30 minutes as a security measure. Wait 30 minutes, then try logging in again with the correct password. If you still cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.

If the system says "Social Security Number Not Found," you may have entered it incorrectly. Double-check that you typed all nine digits with no spaces or dashes. If you are certain the number is correct and you have filed a claim with New York, wait 24 hours — sometimes new accounts take time to appear in the system. If it still does not work after 24 hours, call 1-888-209-8124.

If you see "Email Not Verified," you have not yet clicked the verification link in the email the state sent you. Check your email inbox and spam folder for a message from nydol@labor.ny.gov with the subject line about email verification. Click the link in that email. If you cannot find the email, use the "Resend Verification Email" option on the login page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone?

Yes. UI Online works on smartphones and tablets using any standard browser. The layout adjusts to fit smaller screens. You log in the same way as on a computer — enter your Social Security number and password. Some people find it easier to use a phone for filing weekly claims since the form is short.

What if I never received a confirmation letter with my claim number?

You do not need your claim number to log in. Your Social Security number is enough. Once you are logged in, your claim number will appear on your dashboard. If you want to find your claim number before logging in, you can call 1-888-209-8124 and provide your Social Security number to a representative.

Is there a way to log in without a password?

No. New York requires a password for security. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it. There is no way to bypass the password requirement or log in using only your Social Security number.

What should I do if I think someone else has accessed my account?

Change your password when ready using the "Forgot Password" link. Then call 1-888-209-8124 and tell a representative that you suspect unauthorized access. They can review your account activity and flag any suspicious claims or payments. You may also want to place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

Can I use the same password for UI Online as I use for other websites?

You can, but it is not recommended. If another website is hacked and your password is stolen, someone could use that same password to access your unemployment account. Use a unique password for UI Online that you do not use anywhere else.