What is unemployment insurance?

If you are not working or have lost hours of work due to COVID-19, and if you qualify, you may apply for unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance provides temporary income for eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Even if your employer has told you that you will return to work in the future, you may qualify for benefits during the time that you are not working.

On March 30th, a new law was passed that expands unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll review these expansions and how they can be applied to your situation below.

Every state in the U.S. has its own unemployment system with its own eligibility rules. If you work in New York State, the New York Department of Labor decides whether you qualify and determines how much you will receive in weekly benefits.

Download this guide to learn how to apply for unemployment insurance step-by-step.

And download these updates on New York workers’ rights in the middle of COVID-19.