Updated March 25, 2020
All four Career Centers are closed to the public, but Career Centers staff is working. On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order mandating that 100 percent of employees, with some exceptions, work from home. Therefore all four Westchester-Putnam Career Centers are closed to the public until further notice.
Staff have been meeting virtually to set up a system for working remotely and are checking their e-mail and voicemail. Plans are underway to utilize video conferencing tools for meetings, counseling sessions and interviews. We will be sending updated information soon.
For Job Seekers
Employment Counselors are teleworking and are reaching out to current customers to schedule appointments via e-mail or phone. If you would like to become a customer and utilize our services, such as resume help and one on one career counseling, you will be able to go to our website and fill out a new simplified form, which will be available later this week. If you don't have a computer, call (914) 813-6555 and your call will be returned.
For Employers
Our Business and Community Engagement Team are working and can be reached at their business email address. If you would like to create an account and post a job, go to our website and create an employer profile. Please contact us if you have any questions and we will be happy to help you.
Nahshon D. Halevi: nqhe@westchestergov.com
Charlene Manning: cqkc@westchestergov.com
Unemployment Insurance Claims
The New York State is working to alleviate the significant pressure the influx of unemployment claims has created on the workforce system. Therefore, the New York State Department of Labor has just released a new schedule for individuals filing new Unemployment Insurance Claims by phone or Web. As a reminder the seven-day waiting period has been waived. Go to How to file a claim for Unemployment Insurance Benefits.
Remember, the day you file is based on the first letter of your last name, and filing later in the week will not delay payments or affect the date of your claim. Claims are effective on the Monday of the week of filing.
Here is the step-by-step process for filing:
A–F: Monday
G–N: Tuesday
O–Z: Wednesday
Missed your day: Thursday and Friday
Additionally, filing hours have been extended as follows:
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Follow the step by step process to file claim.
Please be aware that the State is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the volume of calls and Web traffic for Unemployment Insurance claims. This massive surge has created intermittent interruptions in service and NYSDOL is continuing to fix the problem as the situation is being monitored around the clock. NYSDOL staff are working as hard as they can to ensure that all benefits are paid and they continue to be so. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
In-Person Career Center Visits
Based on directives from Governor Cuomo to ensure appropriate measures are being taken to protect the safety and health of our staff and customers, the Westchester-Putnam Career Center Network has cancelled all in-person appointments until further notice. This includes the use of all Career Center Resource Rooms.
Unemployment Insurance benefits will not be affected and customers can continue to file for weekly benefits as reference above.
All appointments will be rescheduled at a later date or offered virtually. Previously scheduled customers will receive a follow-up letter or phone call with additional information. Unemployment Insurance customers should continue to search for work and track work search activities. We highly recommend using the Online Work Search Record that is available through the d
Department’s JobZone application. JobZone also offers a variety of tools that can be used to assist with your work search such as a job search feature, resume assistance, and career exploration tools that you may find helpful.
If you need assistance or have questions about re-employment services, contact the Department at Job.Zone@labor.ny.gov
VITA Free Tax Prep Schedule
We have suspended the VITA on site program. In the meantime, filers are encouraged use the Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA) for taxpayers who want to prepare their taxes for free. The software is easy to navigate. The links below are part of the VITA program.
White Plains TaxSlayer VITA/TCE self-prep kiosk
Mount Vernon TaxSlayer VITA/TCE self-prep kiosk
Orientations: In-person orientations have been suspended until further notice.
Workshops: In-person workshops have been suspended. However, we are working with staff to create call-in and virtual workshops for resume writing, interviewing skills and related services.
March 26 WEXPO: The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) has postponed WEXPO until June 8, 2020.