New York
Laid off in New York? Start here.
Who to call, what New York law says about your notice, and the free state programs most people never hear about. Everything here is free, and every fact has its source at the bottom.
Who to call
New York's free help, in one place.
Rapid Response is the state team that steps in around a layoff. The job center is where you sign up for career help and training. Unemployment is its own office.
- Rapid Response
- New York State Department of Labor518-457-1143NYSDOL Rapid Response
- Unemployment
- New York Department of Labor1-888-209-8124File a claimBefore you file, check how New York treats severance with the Unemployment Check.
- Job center near you
- Find an American Job Center (search by ZIP code)
The Rapid Response team works with employers too, so say up front that you're a worker who was laid off and ask where to start. You don't need your employer's permission.
Your notice
New York has its own layoff-notice law.
New York's WARN Act requires 90 days' notice of a plant closing or mass layoff, half again as long as the federal 60. It covers smaller employers than the federal law does.
N.Y. Labor Law § 860-b · New York State Senate, Labor Law § 860-B
See recent New York notices on PinkSlipped's Layoff Wire.
Only in New York
What's different here.
A coordinator for your region
The state Department of Labor publishes a Rapid Response coordinator for each of its 10 regions, including New York City and Long Island.
AI is now asked about
Since March 2025, New York's WARN filing asks employers whether a layoff is because of AI or other new technology.
Before the first call
Four free checks, in the order you'll need them.
They work for New York and every other state, and none of them asks for your name.
- 1Unemployment CheckWhen to file, and the weeks severance may offset
- 2Runway CheckKnow your runway in ten minutes
- 3Insurance CheckCOBRA or the Marketplace: what coverage actually costs
- 4401(k) CheckWhat touching the 401(k) really costs
Your Plan puts the New York calls in the right week, next to your unemployment claim and your severance deadlines. Build my free Plan
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Rapid Response Coordinators
- U.S. Department of Labor, How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?
- New York State Senate, Labor Law § 860-B
- New York State Department of Labor, Rapid Response
- Hunton Andrews Kurth, New York WARN Act AI disclosure
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Contacts and programs change; New York's job center has the final word.
General education, not legal advice. PinkSlipped isn't affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor or any state agency.