Unemployment Insurance Services Unavailable During System Upgrade Period

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced that on Monday, November 2, at 5 p.m., the department will begin the upgrade of its system for processing unemployment insurance claims, known as Unemployment Services. The process is expected to take 9 to 12 days.

The upgraded system will replace the 50-year-old system and will provide greater efficiency by allowing customers to be able to file and certify claims from any device, including smartphones.

To support a secure transition from the current system to the upgraded platform during the upgrade period, all online and phone-based unemployment insurance services will be temporarily unavailable. Individuals and businesses should be aware of the following: 

• Customers will not be able to file new unemployment insurance claims, certify for weekly benefits, or access or update account information. The deadline to file a claim or certify is 5 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026. 

• Individuals will experience delays in payments; however, customers will receive all benefit payments to which they are entitled once the upgrade is complete, and they file or certify for benefits in the upgraded system.  

• Customers should continue to complete and record work search activities during the upgrade period. Remember: To stay eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, individuals must complete and record at least three work search activities each week. During the upgrade period, Career Centers will be available virtually by appointment for job search assistance, dol.ny.gov/workforce-scheduler.

• NYSDOL will notify all customers when the upgraded system is available. 

• The Unemployment Services upgrade will not affect electronic filing for NYS-1 and NYS-45 through the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance (TAX). Businesses will continue to file NYS-1 and NYS-45 through TAX once Unemployment Services is available.