Employment Verification
Use the Employment Records Research Request Form to submit requests for employment verification from the DOE. For complete details on the employment verification process and how to submit a request, visit the employment verification page.
Unemployment Insurance
Information
Unemployment Insurance is a temporary payment that workers can claim if they meet the terms and conditions of New York State unemployment insurance laws. It is a benefit to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Workers do not contribute the money provided by unemployment insurance benefits, instead, it comes from taxes paid by employers. All employers in the state are required to contribute/pay taxes into the state unemployment fund. Unemployment insurance for the employees of the New York City Department of Education is funded 100% by the Department of Education.
Please print and display the Notice to Employees in a prominent location in your workplace.
Procedures for Claimant
When an employee becomes unemployed, in order to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, he/she must contact the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Telephone Claims Center toll-free number at (888) 209-8124 . This service is available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8AM and 5PM. Additional information can be obtained through the NYSDOL's toll free TEL-SERVICE Line at (888) 581-5812 . Claimants may also apply for benefits on-line and obtain important information regarding unemployment insurance by accessing the New York State Department of Labor’s website. All claimants must apply for benefits through one of these services!
Procedures for BFSCs, Schools, Central Offices and Custodians
The Department of Education has engaged Equifax Workforce Solutions (formally known as TALX), to assist in administering and processing unemployment insurance claims. The Department of Education is responsible for the payment of unemployment insurance benefits. To control the cost of unwarranted unemployment claims, we require that information be provided to Workforce Solutions on a timely basis. The timeliness of your response will avoid penalties. It will allow former employees who qualify for benefits to receive them without delay. To successfully implement this cost containment program, Workforce Solutions will audit and verify each claim received and they will respond on your behalf to the Department of Labor’s inquiry.
Please follow the instructions below to ensure that the proper information is given to Workforce Solutions.
Claim and Determination Procedures
The New York State Department of Labor mails an initial claim form directly to Workforce Solutions. If necessary, the School Payroll Secretary will receive a phone call from Workforce Solutions' representatives requesting separation information concerning a former employee. Any requested documentation must be faxed the same day to Workforce Solutions!
Fax to:
Sarah King
Lead Unemployment Insurance Consultant
Workforce Solutions
Equifax Inc.
Direct Line 800-848-0287 x 3048
Fax 866-622-6233
sarah.king@equifax.com
Important
If you receive the NYSDOL initial claim in your school or office, please fax it immediately to the fax number above. Please do not attempt to fill out the form yourself. In addition, please attach a copy of the employee’s separation report, termination letter and any other documents pertinent to the separation. Notices such as “Notice of Determination” have deadlines. To avoid a loss of appeal rights, please fax all documents immediately to Equifax Workforce Solutions, Ms. Sarah King (Workforce Solutions) at the fax number above.
Remember
There is a statutory time limit for responding to unemployment claims; therefore, your cooperation in responding to requests for documentation is very important!
Hearing Procedures
If you receive a “Notice of Hearing”, fax it immediately to Ms. Sarah King at the above fax number. Workforce Solutions provides representation at administrative hearing proceedings. A representative will contact the appropriate school or office administration to review the case, determine which witnesses will attend, and what documentation may be necessary for the hearing. There is not much time to prepare for the hearing, and therefore the information requested must be provided without delay.
Contact Information
New York State Department of Labor
Telephone Claims Center
(888) 209 – 8124
Payroll Forms
Retirement Systems
A number of retirement systems service employees of the Department of Education (DOE). See below to access your retirement website.
All information on this page comes directly from external retirement Web sites.
Teachers' Retirement System (TRS): TRS membership is available to educators who work for the New York City DOE. TRS' address is 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041. The office is located in lower Manhattan, two blocks south of Wall Street, four blocks east of Broadway and two blocks north of Broad Street. Member Services Center hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The toll-free number is (888) 8-NYC-TRS.
New York City Board of Education Retirement System (BERS): BERS was founded on August 1, 1921, to provide retirement benefits for civil service employees permanently employed by the City and school district of New York, except for those who may retire under the provisions of other retirement laws. BERS has since expanded to include other employees, such as provisional and part-time employees of the DOE and other covered employers. For information on member services, please call BERS at (929) 305-3800 or, for those outside New York State, call: 1-800-843-5575. BERS offices are located at 65 Court Street on the 16th floor in Brooklyn, NY 11201.
New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS): Membership is available to all New York City employees, except for those who are eligible to participate in the New York City TRS, the New York City Police Pension Fund, the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund or the New York City BERS. The Customer Service Center is located on the mezzanine level at 340 Jay Street in downtown Brooklyn. You may contact NYCERS' Call Center at (347) 643-3000, or if you are outside the New York City area, you can call toll free at (877) 669-2377, TTY (347) 643-3501.
Transitioning to Retirement
To ensure that employees transitioning to retirement have all the necessary information to take full advantage of the benefits available to them, the New York City Office of Labor Relations Website offers several resources. Please visit their Health Benefits Seminar Page for a two-part video series and information on their on-site seminars.