State Unemployment Benefits in New York: when someone dies

A 3-step process for New York State Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance after a death in New York.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Administering agency

New York State Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance

Verified Jul 2026

Steps to take

  1. Mail a written request for the deceased's claim information to NYS Department of Labor, P.O. Box 15130, Albany, NY 12212.
  2. Include a copy of the death certificate, the deceased's name and Social Security number, your relationship to the deceased, and legal papers showing you as executor or administrator.
  3. For benefit payments already issued, contact Way2Go at 844-649-9845 for a debit card, or the financial institution for a bank deposit.

New York State Department of Labor — Unemployment Insurance

Phone: 888-209-8124

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

The New York State Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance. Claimants reach the Telephone Claims Center at 888-209-8124.

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

The Department addresses the executor or administrator of the estate, and requires legal papers showing that authority. Benefits already paid out are not retrieved by the Department: to release funds from the deceased's Way2Go debit card, the executor calls the Way2Go Customer Service Line at (844) 649-9845; for a bank deposit, the executor contacts the bank where the payments were deposited.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

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