State Unemployment Benefits in New York

The New York State Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance. When a claimant dies, an executor or administrator can request the deceased's claim information in writing with proof of authority; the Department cannot itself retrieve benefit payments already sent to a debit card or bank account.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

New York

dol.ny.gov/deceased-claimants-frequently-asked-questions→

Administering agency

New York State Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance

Phone888-209-8124

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in New York: key facts

Administering agency: New York State Department of Labor (DOL), Unemployment Insurance.
Telephone Claims Center: 888-209-8124
Requesting claim information: Mail a written request to NYS Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15130, Albany, NY 12212, with the death certificate, your relationship to the deceased, and legal papers showing you as executor or administrator.
Payments already issued: The Department cannot retrieve payments sent to a Way2Go debit card or bank account; the executor contacts Way2Go (844-649-9845) or the financial institution directly.
Reporting a death: The Department's published route is a written request mailed to NYS Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15130, Albany, NY 12212. Its Deceased Claimants FAQ gives no online form or dedicated phone line for reporting a claimant's death.
Documentation required: Your name, address, and phone number; legal papers showing you as executor or administrator of the estate; your relation to the deceased; the deceased's name and Social Security number; what information you need; and a copy of the death certificate.
Who may request: The Department's guidance addresses the executor or administrator of the deceased's estate — the written request must include legal papers showing that authority. Funds already released are retrieved from Way2Go or the bank, not from the Department.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in New York

3-step process for New York State Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

dol.ny.gov

Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in New York primary sources (2 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unemployment

New York

dol.ny.gov/deceased-claimants-frequently-asked-questions→

Administering agency

New York State Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance

Phone888-209-8124

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Unemployment Benefits in New York: key facts

Administering agency

New York State Department of Labor (DOL), Unemployment Insurance.

Telephone Claims Center

888-209-8124

Requesting claim information

Mail a written request to NYS Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15130, Albany, NY 12212, with the death certificate, your relationship to the deceased, and legal papers showing you as executor or administrator.

Payments already issued

The Department cannot retrieve payments sent to a Way2Go debit card or bank account; the executor contacts Way2Go (844-649-9845) or the financial institution directly.

Reporting a death

The Department's published route is a written request mailed to NYS Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15130, Albany, NY 12212. Its Deceased Claimants FAQ gives no online form or dedicated phone line for reporting a claimant's death.

Documentation required

Your name, address, and phone number; legal papers showing you as executor or administrator of the estate; your relation to the deceased; the deceased's name and Social Security number; what information you need; and a copy of the death certificate.

Who may request

The Department's guidance addresses the executor or administrator of the deceased's estate — the written request must include legal papers showing that authority. Funds already released are retrieved from Way2Go or the bank, not from the Department.