Temporary income for eligible unemployed adults
Short Summary
Unemployment insurance gives you temporary income while you look for a new job after losing your old one.
Who it may help
To be eligible for Unemployment Insurance, you must:
- Have lost your job through no fault of your own
- Be actively seeking work and able to start a job immediately
- Be authorized to work in the US (and have been authorized when you lost your job)
You'll also need to:
- Keep a written record of your job search activities each week (you can use the JobZone work search tool)
- Attend required appointments at your local Career Center
- Meet minimum earnings requirements (see how much you need to have earned)
What you may need
What you'll need to file for Unemployment Insurance:
Your personal information
- Full name, phone number, and mailing address
- Social Security Number
- Driver's license, state ID, or employment authorization number (if you're not a US citizen)
- Bank account number and routing number
Information about your past jobs (last 18 months)
- Your employer's legal name and address
- Your employer's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or New York State registration number (you can find this on your W-2 or employment record)
- Your start and end dates
- Your wage details
- If you served in the military in the last 18 months, you'll also need your DD214