***Alert***: The NY Department of Labor is doing upgrades to the Unemployment Services system starting on November 2nd. It is expected to take 9-12 calendar days. During this upgrade, all online and phone services will be unavailable, and unemployment payments will be delayed. Visit dol.ny.gov/unemployment for more information. We will update this article when we know more.
If you lose your job in New York, you might qualify for benefits:
- If you are laid off, you may get Unemployment Insurance to replace part of your income.
- If you are hurt or get sick because of your work, Workers’ Compensation can help pay for medical care and some lost wages.
- If you had to leave work because of domestic violence, the law gives you extra job protections.
If you qualify, these programs can help while you look for new work.
Last Reviewed: September 16, 2025