I'm in almost the exact same situation and just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this struggle! My benefits also ended after 26 weeks but my benefit year doesn't end until October. It's such a cruel system design - like they want to make people suffer during that gap period. I've been researching every possible option and here's what I've found that might help: definitely apply for SNAP benefits ASAP (the application is actually pretty straightforward), look into local emergency rental assistance through your county's social services, and consider the 599 training program if you're willing to learn new skills. I also started doing some freelance bookkeeping through online platforms which has helped bring in a little money while I continue job searching. The uncertainty is terrifying but we just have to take it one day at a time. Hang in there - we'll both get through this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the NY unemployment system really is designed to be as confusing as possible! Just went through this myself a few months back and can confirm what others are saying: you absolutely cannot file a new claim until your benefit year ends in September. The 26 weeks vs 12 month benefit year distinction trips up everyone. While you're waiting, definitely prioritize SNAP benefits - I got approved in about 2 weeks and it was a huge relief for grocery costs. Also call 211 for local emergency assistance programs, many have one-time rent help available. Since you're in accounting, check out Robert Half or other finance-focused temp agencies - they often have short-term assignments that can help bridge this gap period. The job market is brutal right now but don't lose hope. I applied to probably 250+ positions over 6 months before landing something. It's exhausting but something will eventually stick. You've got solid experience in accounting which is always in demand, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. This gap period is awful but it's temporary - you'll make it through! Keep us updated on how the assistance applications go.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed my claim 18 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for that determination letter. The "under review" status is driving me crazy! I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some update. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though. It sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, especially if there are no complications with your claim. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to panic yet. The layoff situation should work in your favor since it's not a voluntary quit. I'm trying to remind myself that no news isn't necessarily bad news - they're probably just working through a backlog. Hang in there!

I went through this same process about 6 months ago and I know exactly how stressful that waiting period is! Mine took about 3 weeks to arrive, which seemed to be pretty typical for straightforward layoff cases. Since you mentioned you were laid off, that should definitely work in your favor - those claims generally process smoother than voluntary quits or terminations for cause. One thing that helped me manage the anxiety was setting up a simple spreadsheet to track my essential expenses and figure out exactly how long I could stretch my savings if needed. It gave me a clearer picture of my financial runway and helped reduce some of the panic. Also, make sure you're continuing to certify for benefits each week even while waiting for the determination - that way you won't miss any payments once it's approved. The waiting is brutal but you're still within the normal timeframe!

To clarify the main points: You can travel while collecting unemployment as long as you remain able and available for work. For a short trip like a wedding, you don't need to notify NYS Department of Labor. Just be honest on your weekly certification about your availability. If you're only gone for 2-3 days and could have accepted work if offered, you should be fine to certify normally for that week.

I just wanted to add that I've been dealing with this same situation - I'm on unemployment and had to travel for a funeral last month. What I learned is that the key question on your weekly certification is whether you were "able and available for work" each day. If you're only gone for a weekend wedding and would have been able to accept a job offer if one came up, you can still answer "yes" to that question. The NYS Department of Labor cares more about your willingness and ability to work than your exact geographic location for short trips. Just don't try to claim benefits for days when you genuinely weren't available. Have a great time at your sister's wedding!

Just make sure you have all your employment info ready when you apply - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation. The NYS Department of Labor online system times out pretty quickly so have everything organized before you start.

One thing to add that helped me when I applied - make sure you apply online through the NY.gov website and not through any third-party sites. I almost got tricked by a fake site that looked official. The real application is completely free and you shouldn't have to pay anyone to help you file. Also, keep records of everything - screenshot your confirmation page after submitting and save any correspondence from NYS Department of Labor. Good luck Miguel, hope your claim goes through smoothly!

I'm new to this community and dealing with almost the exact same situation! I have an LLC for freelance digital marketing that I formed in early 2023, but it's been completely dormant since I was laid off from my full-time job in March. Like you, I disclosed the LLC ownership when I first applied for unemployment but have been really stressed about whether I'm answering the weekly certification questions correctly. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that the key is being transparent about ownership (which we all did by disclosing upfront) while accurately reporting that we're not actively working through our businesses. I've been consistently answering "no" to the self-employment questions each week since I'm genuinely not performing any marketing work through the LLC, but I was second-guessing myself until I found this thread. The weekly activity tracking log that multiple people have mentioned is such a smart idea - I'm definitely going to start documenting "no LLC activity" each week along with keeping my bank statements that show zero transactions. It's amazing how many people here have successfully navigated this exact scenario through honesty and consistent reporting. Thank you for posting this question that I think a lot of us dormant LLC owners were silently worrying about - this community is such a valuable resource for getting real answers rather than just speculation!

I'm new to this community and facing the exact same situation! I have an LLC for freelance consulting that I set up in 2022, made very little income from it (under $500 total), and it's been completely inactive since I was laid off in February. Like you, I disclosed the LLC upfront when applying for unemployment but have been really anxious about the weekly certifications. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful - it's so reassuring to see that multiple people have successfully navigated this by being transparent about ownership while accurately reporting zero work activity. I've been answering "no" to the self-employment questions since I'm genuinely not doing any consulting work, but seeing everyone's consistent experiences really validates this approach. I'm definitely going to start that weekly activity log that so many people recommended - documenting "no LLC activity" each week seems like a smart way to stay organized. Thank you for asking the question that I think many of us with dormant LLCs have been worried about but hesitant to bring up. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences instead of just guessing about these complex situations!