Thanks everyone for all this detailed info! This is exactly what I was looking for. Sounds like I should expect around $350-400 weekly based on my salary, but I need to factor in taxes and make sure I have all my documentation ready before applying. The severance timing thing is really helpful to know about too. One question - does anyone know if the NYS DOL website works better at certain times of day? I've heard some government sites are less likely to crash during off-peak hours.

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this process about 6 months ago. I was making around $48k at my previous job and ended up getting $338 per week in benefits. One thing that really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track my job search activities from day one - you need 3 activities per week and they can audit you randomly. I included columns for date, company name, position applied for, and type of activity (online application, networking event, etc.). Also, definitely set up direct deposit right away - my first payment took about 3 weeks from when I filed, but after that it was pretty consistent every Tuesday. The key is staying organized and being patient with the system, even though it can be frustrating at times.

One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount is calculated using your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your wages from January 2024 through September 2024. This means if you had a pay raise recently or worked more hours in recent months, that might not be reflected in your benefit calculation. Also, just to clarify on the overtime question - yes, all wages including overtime, bonuses, and tips are counted when they calculate your weekly benefit rate. The good news is at $18/hour for 35 hours, you should qualify for benefits since you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I just went through this process last month. I was making $19/hour at about 32 hours per week and ended up getting $285 weekly in benefits, which worked out to almost exactly 50% like everyone mentioned. The application process itself was pretty straightforward on the NYS DOL website, but definitely have all your employment history ready - they ask for details about every job you had in the past 18 months including start/end dates and reason for separation. One tip: when you certify for benefits each week, they ask if you did any work or earned any money. Be honest about any side gigs or part-time work because they will find out and it can affect your benefits. You can still work part-time while on unemployment but they'll reduce your benefit amount based on what you earn. Also, start applying for jobs right away and keep records because they require you to make at least 3 job contacts per week to remain eligible.

I'm new to this community but wow, this thread is incredibly informative! I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks after getting laid off from my restaurant job, and I had absolutely no idea that programs like WIOA existed. The thought of being able to get CDL training paid for while keeping my unemployment benefits sounds almost too good to be true, but seeing so many people share their actual experiences makes it feel real and achievable. I'm definitely going to start researching trucking companies and CDL schools in my area this week. The advice about bringing job postings to show demand when you meet with the workforce counselor is brilliant - I never would have thought of that on my own. Does anyone know if restaurant/food service experience is viewed positively for CDL training approval, or is it pretty neutral? I'm wondering if I should emphasize any transferable skills from hospitality when I eventually meet with a counselor. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories here - you've given me hope and a concrete plan forward during what's been a really tough time!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who successfully went through this process! I got my CDL training approved through WIOA about 6 months ago and it was honestly life-changing. The key things that helped me were: 1) Being persistent with calling the One-Stop Career Center (it took several tries to get through), 2) Having a printed folder with local job postings and salary research when I met with my counselor, and 3) Being able to clearly explain why trucking was a logical career move for me personally. The whole process from first contact to starting training took about 3 weeks, and I kept my full unemployment benefits throughout the 4-week program. Now I'm working locally doing construction material deliveries and making significantly more than my previous job. For anyone on the fence about this - it's absolutely worth pursuing. The trucking industry really does have steady work available, and having that CDL opens up way more opportunities than I expected. Don't let the paperwork or approval process intimidate you - the workforce counselors genuinely want to help you succeed!

I'm in week 6 of my benefits and this entire thread has been an absolute eye-opener - I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences and resources so openly. Like literally everyone else here, I had zero clue about the qualifying wages requirement and was completely operating under the assumption that I could just file a new claim after my 26 weeks were up. Finding this thread now with 20 weeks left feels like winning the lottery compared to those who discovered this harsh reality with just days remaining. I'm immediately going to start implementing everything discussed here - SNAP and HEAP applications, NY Career Center outreach, workforce development program research, and definitely looking into that 599 Training Program while I still have plenty of time for approval. I'm in graphic design/marketing and really hoping there are approved training programs for UX/UI design or digital marketing certifications that could help me pivot while maintaining some support. The creative industry has been brutal lately and maybe this could be an opportunity to upskill into something more stable. The Claimyr service sounds like a game-changer too - I've already wasted hours trying to get through to NYSDOL through normal channels with zero success. If there's actually a way to speak to a real human who might know about programs or resources I haven't heard of, that's definitely worth trying. It's honestly mind-blowing how this community has provided more actionable, practical information than anything available through official government channels. The fact that we're all having to figure out these critical details through crowdsourcing is pretty damning about how the system actually works (or doesn't work) for the people who need it most. For anyone else who's early in their benefit period and just discovering this reality - take advantage of the time you have left and start preparing NOW. This thread is a goldmine of resources and real-world experience that could make all the difference in how smoothly you navigate the transition when week 26 arrives.

I'm in week 4 of my benefits and stumbling across this thread feels like finding a lifeline I didn't even know I needed. Like absolutely everyone else here, I was completely clueless about the qualifying wages requirement and genuinely believed I could just reapply after hitting the 26-week mark. Reading through all these experiences has been both shocking and incredibly grateful - I have 22 weeks to actually prepare instead of getting blindsided. The resource compilation here is unreal - SNAP, HEAP, workforce development programs, the 599 Training Program, Claimyr service, library job services, community college placement programs. I'm creating a master plan to tackle all of these systematically over the next few months instead of waiting until I'm desperate. I'm in restaurant management and wondering if there are any hospitality or business management training programs that might qualify for the 599 program. The food service industry has been absolutely decimated and maybe this could be my chance to transition into something more stable while still having some support. What really hits me is how this community has had to create its own support network because the official systems provide basically zero useful information. It's infuriating that we're all having to become amateur experts on navigating these programs just to survive, but I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who's shared their real experiences here. For anyone else who's early in their benefit period - this thread is pure gold. Use whatever time you have left to start preparing now. The people here have created something way more valuable than any government resource I've encountered.

I'm at week 6 and this entire thread has been a massive eye-opener! I had absolutely no idea that the extension process was this complicated or that the "automatic" system was so unreliable. Reading everyone's experiences has completely shifted my strategy from "wait and see" to "be proactive NOW." The claimyr service sounds like an absolute lifesaver - I've already tried calling the DOL twice and each time I gave up after 2+ hours on hold. For $20 to actually speak with a human being who can give real answers? That's honestly a bargain compared to potentially losing weeks of payments. I'm definitely going to start keeping meticulous records of every job application, interview, and networking contact from this point forward. It's frustrating that we have to be this organized just to access benefits we're entitled to, but better safe than sorry! What really gets me is how this community thread has provided more clear, actionable guidance than the entire DOL website. It's honestly shameful that people have to crowdsource basic information about their unemployment benefits because the state makes everything so confusing and inaccessible. Marilyn, you've basically created the unofficial survival guide for NY unemployment extensions! Thank you for asking the question we all needed answered. I'm going to bookmark this thread and start preparing way earlier than I originally planned. Better to be overprepared than scrambling in panic mode at week 25! 🙏

I'm at week 20 and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Like everyone else, I was planning to just wait until week 26 and hope everything worked automatically, but clearly that would be a huge mistake based on all the experiences shared here. The claimyr service keeps getting mentioned and honestly at this point I'm convinced it's worth trying. I've already wasted two full days trying to get through on the regular DOL phone line with zero success. $20 to avoid that nightmare and actually talk to someone who can give me real answers about my extension eligibility seems like the best money I could spend right now. I'm also going to start keeping way better records of my job search activities. I've been pretty casual about documenting applications and interviews, but it sounds like having detailed records could be crucial if there are any issues with the extension approval process. What really frustrates me is how the official DOL website is basically useless for getting clear information about extensions. Thank god for communities like this where people share what actually works! The fact that we have to crowdsource basic information about our own benefits because the state makes everything so confusing is honestly infuriating. Marilyn, thanks for starting this conversation - you've basically created the resource the DOL should have provided us with! Going to be proactive and try to get this sorted in the next week or two before I get too close to that 26 week deadline. Good luck to everyone dealing with this broken system! 🤞