just wanted to add that unemployment benefits ARE taxable income so make sure you report everything on your 1099-G when you file. i made the mistake of thinking it wasn't taxable my first time and had to file an amended return

Just to add some timing info - NYS Department of Labor is required to send out 1099-G forms by January 31st each year. If you haven't received yours by early February, definitely check your my.ny.gov account first before calling. Sometimes they get delayed in the mail or sent to an old address. Also make sure your address is updated in the system if you've moved since filing your unemployment claim.

I went through the 599 Training Program about 8 months ago and it was honestly a lifesaver! I was able to extend my benefits while getting certified in web development. Here's what I learned: The key is making sure your training program is on the approved list BEFORE you enroll. You can't just pick any school or course - it has to be pre-approved by NYSDOL. I made the mistake of starting to research programs before checking the list first. The application process was pretty smooth once I found an approved program. You fill out some forms through your online unemployment account, and they review it pretty quickly. While you're in training, you still have to certify weekly, but the work search requirements are waived since you're in school. One heads up though - you need to maintain satisfactory progress in your program or they can cut off the extended benefits. They're pretty reasonable about what "satisfactory" means, but don't slack off. @Rudy - for IT certs, I'd definitely recommend looking into community colleges that offer programs on the approved list. Many of them have flexible schedules and the training benefits made it possible for me to focus on learning instead of stressing about money. Feel free to ask if you have specific questions!

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact situation last year. When my regular 26 weeks ran out in April, I was panicking because EB wasn't active then either (unemployment rate was around 4.1% at the time). Here's what actually happened: NYSDOL sent me a message in my online account about 2 weeks before my benefits ended explaining that EB wasn't available but that I should keep certifying weekly in case the situation changed. They also included information about other programs I might qualify for. The most important thing I learned is to NOT stop certifying, even if your payments stop. I made that mistake for about 3 weeks thinking there was no point, and it caused a whole mess when I tried to get back into the system later. For anyone looking at the 599 Training Program - it's legitimate and can really help, but the approval process takes time so start early if you're considering it. Also, some programs have waiting lists, so don't wait until the last minute. One last tip: if you do end up in a gap between benefits, document EVERYTHING. Save screenshots of your account, any messages from NYSDOL, your certification history, etc. It made things so much easier when I eventually got connected with a helpful rep who could see exactly what had happened with my claim.

I went through this same confusion earlier this year! In addition to what others mentioned, you can also try logging into your NY.gov account and looking under "My Online Services" - sometimes the determination letters show up there first before being mailed. Also, if you're able to certify for weekly benefits and haven't been blocked from the system, that's usually a positive sign. The 2-week timeframe is still pretty normal for processing, especially if they need to verify employment with your previous employer. Keep doing those weekly certifications even if you haven't gotten a clear answer yet - you don't want to miss any potential back pay if you do get approved!

Another thing to check - if you can see a "Weekly Benefit Amount" listed anywhere in your account (even if it says $0), that usually means your claim went through initial processing. Also, make sure you didn't miss any requests for additional documentation. Sometimes they'll send a message asking for pay stubs or separation paperwork and if you don't respond within 10 days, it can hold up your claim indefinitely. The fact that you can still file weekly claims is definitely encouraging though - when claims are outright rejected, they typically block you from filing at all.

I remember when I first filed in 2023, I was making about the same as you and my weekly benefit was around $275. But every situation is different depending on your work history and when you worked. The NYS Department of Labor looks at a specific base period - usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

Just went through this process myself last month! Based on your $52k salary, you're probably looking at somewhere between $250-300 per week, but it really depends on how your wages were distributed across quarters. The NYS DOL uses your "base period" which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now, they'd look at Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. One thing that helped me was logging into the NYS DOL website and starting the application process - you can see your wage history and get an estimate before you actually submit the claim. Just don't hit "submit" until you're ready to officially file!

I work from home so I've been able to call multiple times throughout the day. What I've found is that Tuesday through Thursday mornings between 8-9 AM have the shortest wait times. Mondays are terrible because everyone calls after the weekend, and Fridays get backed up with people trying to certify their weekly claims. Also pro tip - if you're on hold and it's getting close to 5 PM, don't hang up! They'll usually still take your call even if you connected before closing time, as long as you stay on the line. I've been helped at 5:15 PM this way when I got in the queue at 4:45 PM.

I've been dealing with the same frustration! After reading through everyone's advice here, I'm going to try a combination approach: calling right at 8 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday (avoiding Mondays and Fridays), using the main 1-888-209-8124 number, and having my phone ready to dial at exactly 7:59:59 AM. If that doesn't work, I might look into that Claimyr service someone mentioned. It's ridiculous that we have to strategize this much just to reach our own state unemployment office, but at least this community has some solid practical tips. Will report back on how the early morning strategy works!