NYS Department of Labor: A Brief Summary

What is the NYS Department of Labor?


• The NYS Department of Labor (or New York State Department of Labor) is the state-run government agency concerned with implementing labor law in New York. The NYS Department of Labor is the organization responsible for administering (and subsequently delivering) unemployment benefits to individuals who were laid-off in the state of New York. Additionally, the NYS Department of Labor is responsible for publishing labor statistics, instituting workplace safety laws, and enforcing laws dealing with wages and hours.

• Similar to other state labor agencies, the NYS department of labor is the governmental agency responsible for upholding all labor laws as well as instituting and transferring unemployment benefits to those that qualify.

• In addition to the aforementioned services provided by the NYS Department of Labor, the agency will also provide residents of New York with resources to expedite their job search.


How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits through the NYS Department of Labor:


• Before receiving unemployment benefits from the NYS Department of Labor, you will be required to verify your employment status, meaning you must affirm that you worked in the state of New York and were subsequently terminated for a non-egregious violation of your employment contract.

• In addition to the basic eligibility requirements, you must also have worked in at least two calendar quarters during your base period. Furthermore, to be eligible for unemployment benefits through the NYS Department of Labor, you must have earned a minimum of $1,600 in wages in one of the calendar quarters. Your total wages earned during your base period must be one and one-half times greater than wages earned in your highest quarter.

• Once you have qualified for unemployment benefits through the NYS Department of Labor, the agency will calculate your pay rate based on their alternate base method.

• By law, the NYS Department of Labor will transfer unemployment benefits if you have enough employment to establish a claim, have lost employment through a no-fault termination, and are willing to work. The candidate must be actively seeking employment to receive benefits.

• Once you have reviewed the NYS Department of Labor’s rules and regulations regarding unemployment benefits you must then file a claim. You should file your claim during your first of partial or total unemployment; if you wait you may lose benefits.


• To apply for unemployment benefits through the NYS Department of Labor simply visit their website, located at www.labor.ny.gov and go to the “benefits online page” You may also apply in person or on the phone by calling the NYS department of labor at their claim center (1-888-783-1370.)