Update - 12:45 p.m.
“We know that businesses across the Empire State are bearing the brunt of this developing economic crisis, and that means hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers’ livelihoods are at risk. But we have a resilient workforce in New York State — and that will not be diminished,” said New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “The keys to the success of our economy and job market are our forward-thinking employers and the hardworking men and women who make up our workforce. Through innovative thinking, strategic partnerships, and high-quality training, we have made New York’s workforce the best in the nation, and we will continue that work. As New Yorkers weather this public health crisis, our Governor and the NYS DOL will be right here, working alongside all of you, to reenergize our economy and our workforce, and ensure New York State remains prosperous on the other side of this unprecedented challenge.”
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Press release:
The New York State Department of Labor continues to deal with what a spokesperson says is “unprecedented inundation” of its phone and online filing system.
According to the agency, between March 23 and March 28, its phone system recorded more than 8.2 million calls, compared to 50,000 in a typical week – an increase of 16,000 percent. The online filing system received 3.4 million visits, compared to 350,000 in a typical week.
The department reports it is taking the following steps to reduce volume and increase capacity:
-- Asking New Yorkers to help reduce the surge by only filing unemployment insurance claims on certain days, based on the first letter of their last name.
-- Streamlining the process to make it quicker, and automating additional pieces of the process so there are fewer reasons a filer has to call.
-- Reminding New Yorkers that even if filing is delayed, you WILL still receive the entire benefit you are entitled to.
-- Dedicating 700 staff to DOL’s Telephone Claims Center.
-- Enlisting hundreds of additional staff – reassigned from within DOL, borrowed from other agencies and new outside hires, who are currently being onboarded and trained.
-- Extending the call center hours, including expanding service to Saturdays and processing applications on Sundays.
-- Adding more than 20 additional servers to support the website's capacity.
“We will continue to double down on all of these efforts to serve every New Yorker who is filing for unemployment insurance. We thank you for your patience,” the spokesperson said.
The New York State Department of Labor is dedicated to ensuring that every New Yorker who is entitled to UI benefits will receive all benefits due. New Yorkers seeking to file an unemployment insurance claim can visit labor.ny.gov or call the Telephone Claim Center at (888) 209-8124.
