Our systems are currently facing an unprecedented inundation.

Between 3/23 & 3/28, our phone system recorded 8.2 million calls, compared to 50,000 in a typical week– a 16,000% increase.

The online filing system received 3.4 million visits, compared to 350,000 in a typical week.

We are addressing this by reducing volume and increasing capacity:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1️⃣" title="Keycap digit one" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit one"> We are 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.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="2️⃣" title="Keycap digit two" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit two"> We are streamlining the process to make it quicker & automating additional pieces of the process so there are fewer reasons a filer has to call.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="3️⃣" title="Keycap digit three" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit three"> We are reminding all New Yorkers that even if filing is delayed, you WILL still receive the entire benefit you are entitled to.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="4️⃣" title="Keycap digit four" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit four"> We have dedicated 700 staff to DOL’s Telephone Claims Center.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5️⃣" title="Keycap digit five" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit five"> Hundreds of additional staff – re-assigned from within DOL, borrowed from other agencies and new outside hires – are currently being onboarded and trained.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="6️⃣" title="Keycap digit six" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit six"> We have extended the call center hours, including expanding service to Saturdays and processing applications on Sundays.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="7️⃣" title="Keycap digit seven" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit seven"> We have added over 20 additional servers to support the website& #39;s capacity.

We will continue to double down on all of these efforts to serve every New Yorker who is filing for Unemployment Insurance.

Thank you for your patience.