CRITICAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSTEM UPGRADE BEGINS IN 7 DAYS

Unemployment insurance payments will be delayed during the upgrade period

The deadline to file a claim or certify before the upgrade is 5 PM on Monday, November 2 

NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon is available for interviews 

NYSDOL Associate Commissioner Melissa Quesada is available for 
Spanish-language interviews 

Unemployment system upgrade announcement video can be found here

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is reminding the public that the upgrade of its unemployment insurance system will begin next week on MONDAY, November 2, 2026, at 5 PM. Thisupgraded system, known as Unemployment Services, will make it easier for customers to access unemployment insurance services, as well as significantly streamline requirements for businesses while maintaining strong personal information protection and fraud prevention for all customers. The process to bring the upgraded Unemployment Services system fully online is expected to take 9 to 12 days.  

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "New Yorkers deserve an unemployment insurance system that is modern, reliable, and easy to use. For too long, our customers have had to rely on technology that is more than 50 years old. This upgrade ensures that New Yorkers will be able to file claims from their phones, track their claims in real time, and get the information they need more quickly and easily." 

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 during the upgrade period. 
• The deadline to file a claim or certify is MONDAY, November 2, 2026, at 5 PM. 
• 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 must 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 unless they are exempt from work search requirements. 
• NYSDOL will notify all customers when the upgraded system is available.  
• The Unemployment Services upgrade will not affect electronic filing for Form 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.  

As part of NYSDOL’s commitment to transparency, additional updates will be provided throughout the upgrade period to keep the public informed. For more information regarding this historic system upgrade or to register for email and text notifications, visit the Department’s Unemployment Services webpage.