File now! I made the mistake of thinking I had to wait until my final paycheck cleared or something. Turns out that doesn't matter at all for filing your initial claim.

Just to add to what everyone else is saying - definitely file today! I went through this process last year and the key thing to remember is that you can't backdate your claim in NY, so every day you wait is potentially a day of benefits you're missing out on. The online application on the NYS DOL website is pretty straightforward and takes about 30-45 minutes. Make sure you have your Social Security card, ID, and details about your employment history for the past 18 months ready. Also, even though you were terminated due to budget cuts (which sounds like it should qualify you), be prepared that they might still need to verify the circumstances with your employer, which can add some processing time. Good luck!

Hey Dylan! I went through this exact same panic last year when my benefits were about to end. The good news is that seeing the Extended Benefits Eligibility Questionnaire means everything is working as it should! When I filled mine out, I was super worried I didn't have enough job search activities documented, but I included everything I could think of - online applications, networking calls, even time spent researching companies and tailoring my resume. The key is being thorough and honest. One thing I wish someone had told me: after you submit the questionnaire, it can take up to 10 business days to get a decision, and there might be a brief gap in payments during the transition. This is totally normal but scary when you're watching your bank account. Just keep certifying every single week even if you don't see payments right away. Also, once you're on EB, they're much more likely to audit your job search activities, so start keeping detailed records now if you haven't already. Screenshots, confirmation emails, dates and times - everything helps if they ask for proof later. You're going to get through this! The system works, it's just not very user-friendly about explaining the process.

Dylan, I just want to add one more thing that might help ease your mind - I went through this transition in December and the questionnaire you're seeing is actually a really positive development! It means the NYSDOL system has already determined you're potentially eligible for Extended Benefits and is just gathering the required documentation. When filling it out, don't stress too much if you can't remember every single detail from 8 weeks ago. They understand that most people don't keep perfect records from day one. Just be as thorough as possible and include things like: - Online job applications (even if you didn't hear back) - Networking conversations or emails - Time spent at career centers or libraries doing job search - Professional development activities like online courses - Updating profiles on job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. The fact that you're actively participating in this community and seeking help shows you're engaged in your job search process, which is exactly what they want to see. Once you submit that questionnaire, you should see a status update within a week, and if approved, payments typically resume pretty quickly. Hang in there - you're almost through the scary transition part!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the NY unemployment system can be incredibly frustrating to navigate. From what everyone is saying, it sounds like you've exhausted your allocated effective days even though your benefit year hasn't ended yet. This is unfortunately more common than people realize. A few quick suggestions that might help: - Check your online account for your original monetary determination letter - it should show exactly how many effective days you were eligible for - If you worked at all since filing your original claim (even part-time), you might qualify to file a new claim - Don't give up on trying to reach them by phone, but maybe try different times of day or consider using one of those callback services others mentioned The most important thing is to get clarity on whether you can file a new claim based on any work you've done since your original filing. That seems to be the main path forward for most people in your situation. Hang in there - I know how stressful this must be when you're depending on these benefits to pay rent.

Hey Dmitry, I went through this exact same situation last year and it's incredibly frustrating! The "0 effective days" basically means you've used up your allotted benefits for this claim period, even though your BYE date hasn't hit yet. What really helped me was understanding that the effective days system works differently than I expected - it's not just a simple countdown from your start date to your BYE date. Each week you collect uses up 4 "effective days" from your total pool, and that pool can vary based on your work history. Since you mentioned working a temp job for 2 months last fall, you might actually be eligible to file a new claim! The key is whether you earned enough during those quarters to meet NY's requirements. I'd strongly recommend trying to get through to an agent to check this - they can see your wage records and tell you immediately if you qualify. I know the phone system is a nightmare, but don't give up. Some people have had success with that Claimyr service others mentioned, though I personally got through by calling right at 8am on a Tuesday. The wait was still brutal but I eventually got someone. In the meantime, definitely look into other assistance programs like SNAP that Freya mentioned - every little bit helps when you're trying to cover rent. You're not alone in this struggle, and there might be more options available than you realize. Hang in there!

This whole 26 week thing is ridiculous when you think about it. In this economy it can take way longer than 6 months to find a decent job that actually pays what you need! Other states have longer benefit periods but NY keeps it short. It's like they want people to take any crappy minimum wage job just to survive.

I went through this same situation last year and can confirm it's definitely 26 weeks maximum for regular NY unemployment. One thing that helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track my remaining weeks so I could budget properly. Also, don't forget that your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first filed, so even if you find temporary work and then lose it again, you might still have weeks left from your original claim if it's within that year. The NYS DOL website has a good calculator tool where you can estimate your remaining benefits if you log into your account.

I'm in a similar situation - got fired last month for what my manager called "performance issues" but I feel like they were looking for reasons to let me go. Reading through these responses is really encouraging, especially knowing that being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you. The documentation advice is spot on - I wish I had kept better records of the issues I was having at work. For anyone else going through this, don't be discouraged by what your employer tells you about your eligibility. The NYS Department of Labor makes the final determination, not your former boss. File your claim and let them review the facts.

I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago - got fired for attendance when I had legitimate medical reasons and car trouble. The good news is that NYS Department of Labor really does look at the whole picture, not just what your employer claims. When I filed my initial claim, I made sure to explain in detail about my medical appointments and car breakdowns in the "reason for separation" section. They actually called me for a phone interview about 2 weeks later to get more details, and I was approved. My advice is to be completely honest about everything when you file - don't try to downplay the attendance issues, but make sure you explain the legitimate reasons behind them. The fact that you had a family emergency and car problems shows these weren't just you being irresponsible. Keep any documentation you have (repair bills, family emergency details) and upload them if possible. You've got nothing to lose by applying, and from what you've described, you have a good chance of getting approved.