
If you try to claim weekly benefits from outside the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, your certification will be blocked and your benefits will be held. Important: Do not give someone else your PIN and have them certify for benefits for you.
Why is it important to certify for benefits every week?
It is important to certify for, or claim, benefits every week you are unemployed, even if we notify you of a problem with your application. If the problem prevents benefits from being paid right away, or if you are denied benefits and are appealing that decision, you must still certify for benefits.
What does it mean to claim weekly benefits or certify for benefits?
Both "claim weekly benefits" and "certify for benefits" refer to the way you tell the Department of Labor that you are still unemployed, ready and able to work, looking for a job, and in need of Unemployment Insurance benefits.
How to certify for weekly benefits in New York State?
Certify For Weekly Benefits by Phone Certify For Weekly Benefits by Phone The Telephone Claim Center is available toll-free during business hours to certify: 1-888-581-5812 for New York State residents.
What happens if I do not certify for unemployment benefits?
If you do not certify for benefits, retroactive payments will not be made. Your claim is dated the Sunday of the week in which you first applied for Unemployment Insurance benefits.

Why is EDD not certified weekly?
You will not be paid for weeks you worked full time. You can stop certifying for benefits if you no longer need them. If you were fully employed for two consecutive weeks, you will have to reopen your claim to request additional unemployment benefits.
What does no weeks available to certify mean?
If weeks are available, select Certify for Benefits and answer all questions. If no weeks are available, the system will tell you when to check again and will send you an email reminder.
Why am I getting an error on NJ unemployment?
If you received an error message during your weekly certification, you likely answered a question incorrectly which, per federal law, has suspended the claim and your ability to collect benefits. The process to resolve this can take up to four weeks. Please continue to try to certify weekly.
How do I certify for EDD weekly benefits?
We recommend that you certify for benefits with UI Online because it is a fast, convenient, and a secure way to certify. You can also certify by phone using EDD Tele-CertSM at 1-866-333-4606.
Why is EDD asking me to reopen my claim?
If it's been more than 30 days since you last certified for benefits, your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim will become inactive. To continue receiving benefits, you must reopen your claim. You can reopen your claim if it was filed within the last 52 weeks and you have not used all of your benefits.
How long does it take EDD to certify weeks?
It takes at least three weeks to process a claim for unemployment benefits and issue payment to most eligible workers. When your first benefit payment is available, you will receive a debit card in the mail.
What happens if I don't certify for unemployment NJ?
If you are eventually found to be eligible for benefits, or you win your appeal, you will be paid those benefits at a later date. If you do not certify for benefits, retroactive payments will not be made.
Why does my unemployment claim say $0?
If your claim shows a determination of “0-0” while it is pending, this means we are still processing your claim, and there is nothing more you need to do. If you received a confirmation number, rest assured your claim is in process, and you will receive the full amount to which you are entitled.
What is going on with NJ unemployment extension?
Per federal regulations, on April 17, 2021, NJ state extended unemployment benefits were reduced from up to 20 weeks to up to 13 weeks because New Jersey's unemployment rate went down.
Why haven't I received my unemployment this week?
Your state is overwhelmed with new jobless benefits applications. The most likely reason why you haven't yet received your unemployment check is probably also the most frustrating: State unemployment agencies have been inundated with new filings and are hard-pressed to process them in a timely manner.
How do I know if my unemployment claim was approved?
Once your application has been approved, the Department of Labor will send a “Monetary Determination” with information on your weekly benefit amount. After making your claim, it will take between two to three weeks to receive it. Delays may be caused if the state needs additional information before sending payment.
How long does it take EDD to reopen a claim?
In most cases, we can automatically reopen a claim within a few days to a week. You must be able to and available for work to collect benefits. If you don't meet this requirement, we will follow up with you to see if you're eligible. Once your claim is reopened, you must certify every two weeks to receive benefits.
When do you certify for unemployment?
Your claim is dated the Sunday of the week in which you first applied for Unemployment Insurance benefits. The first time you certify for, or claim, benefits will be on a Wednesday, 17 days after the date of your claim (which is not necessarily the day you actually applied). To get paid, you must certify for benefits for each week you were eligible to receive them. You can only certify for benefits after that week has passed. Unemployment Insurance weeks start on Sunday and end at midnight on Saturday.
How often do you have to certify by phone?
If you choose to certify by phone, you'll do so every two weeks, as long as you're out of work and eligible for benefits.
When do you call for unemployment benefits?
You can only certify for benefits after that week has passed. Unemployment Insurance weeks start on Sunday and end at midnight on Saturday. You will be assigned a Wednesday to call for the first time. After that, you will call on a Monday or Tuesday, every two weeks.
What day do you call to claim Social Security?
If you don't claim your benefits on the assigned day, you can call on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of the same week. You can't claim benefits by phone on Saturday or Sunday.
What to Know Before Certifying
The best way to complete your certification is online from 3:00am - 7:30pm on your designated certification day, including holidays.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Maintain your eligibility for current and future unemployment insurance benefits by learning about the following common mistakes.
What is certifying for benefits?
It is important to answer truthfully, as you are certifying to the Department of Labor that your answers are true and correct. That is why the process is also called "certifying for benefits."
What happens if you claim weekly unemployment benefits but don't certify?
If you tried to claim weekly benefits, but the online or phone system doesn't allow you to certify, we most likely received information from a business saying that you worked while you certified that you were not working. When this happens, we must review and confirm that you are indeed unemployed.
How to update my address on unemployment?
The easiest way to update your address and/or telephone number is online. Sign in to your online account at www.labor.ny.gov/signin and click on "Unemployment Services." This brings you to the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Online page. Click the "Claim Weekly Benefits" button, which brings you to the Benefit Payments page. Click the "Continue" button at the bottom of that page, which will bring you to the Claim Weekly Benefits page. Click the "Change Address/Telephone Number" button to change your address and/or phone number.
How to change direct deposit on unemployment?
For security reasons, changes from a debit card to direct deposit or direct deposit to a debit card can only be done online. Sign in to your online account at www.labor.ny.gov/signin and click on "Unemployment Services" on the My Online Services page. This brings you to the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Online page. Click on "Payment and Tax Withholding Options," and "View/Print 1099G" button. Follow the directions to change to direct deposit or cancel direct deposit and receive your benefits via a debit card. If you are changing to direct deposit, be sure you have a check handy, since you will need important numbers from the check. Be sure to enter your checking account information accurately and print a copy of the Direct Deposit Information Review page for your records. Allow five business days for changes to take effect.
How long does it take to get unemployment benefits?
It takes three to six weeks from the time you file your claim to when you receive your first payment, because we have to review and process your application for benefits. You will not receive benefits during this time period. If you are found eligible, you will receive any back weeks of benefits owed with your first payment.
What is the phone number for the unemployment claim?
You can send us a secure message or call the Telephone Claims Center toll-free at (888) 209-8124 during the hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.
How long do you have to wait to file a Social Security claim?
Important: Your online or mail request must be made or postmarked no later than 30 days from the date of the determination notice that you disagree with. If your request is after 30 days have passed, you must state why your request is late. Include your full name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, the mailing date of the determination, and the reason (s) you disagree with our decision in your request.
