I went through this exact situation last year - my benefits ran out after 26 weeks and I was panicking. Here's what I learned: NY doesn't have any extensions right now, so once you hit 26 weeks, that's it unless you qualify for a new claim (which requires working again and earning 10x your weekly benefit rate). What saved me was applying for multiple assistance programs BEFORE my benefits ended. I got approved for SNAP, emergency rental assistance, and utility help through HEAP. Also look into the 599 Training Program that someone mentioned - it's legit and could extend benefits while she retrains. For the job search, tell her to cast a wider net. I ended up finding work through networking on LinkedIn rather than job boards. Marketing skills translate well to account management, customer success, and business development roles. The temp agencies suggestion is solid too - I got my current permanent job through a temp placement. Don't give up hope - the market is tough but there are options to bridge the gap!

Just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - the American Job Centers (One-Stop Career Centers) in NY offer free services that a lot of people don't know about. They have career counselors who can help with resume writing, interview prep, and they sometimes have job fairs with local employers. Some locations also offer short-term training programs that might help your cousin pivot into adjacent fields while she's job hunting. You can find locations on careeronestop.org. The staff there are usually pretty knowledgeable about local assistance programs too, so they might be able to point her toward resources others haven't mentioned yet.

honestly the amount varies SO much depending on what you were making before. my friend who worked retail got like $200 a week but my other friend who worked at a bank got almost $500. it's all about your previous earnings

I'm in a similar situation - just got laid off from my accounting job making $48k. From what I've researched, NY unemployment benefits are calculated at roughly 50% of your average weekly wage from your highest earning quarter during the "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). With your $52k salary, you should qualify for around $400-450 per week, which is actually more manageable than I initially thought. The maximum weekly benefit in NY for 2025 is $504. One tip I learned - file your claim immediately even if you're not sure about all the details, because any delays can cost you money and there's a one-week waiting period before payments start.

That's fantastic news! So glad you got it resolved. This thread is going to be super helpful for others dealing with the same issue. The "waiting week suspension flag" explanation really cleared things up for everyone. Thanks for updating us - it's always great to hear when these problems actually get fixed!

Amazing outcome! This whole thread is like a masterclass in navigating NY unemployment issues. The fact that @Morgan Washington provided such detailed insider knowledge about the "waiting week suspension flag" was incredibly valuable. And @Anna Stewart's Claimyr recommendation seems to be a game-changer for actually getting through to agents. It's frustrating that this kind of technical glitch is so common, but at least now we know exactly what to ask for when calling. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - this should be required reading for anyone dealing with NY unemployment claims!

being in school full time can also disqualify you unless you meet certain exceptions. NYS Department of Labor wants to see that you're available for full time work

Another important disqualifier to be aware of is if you're receiving certain types of pension or retirement income - NYS Department of Labor will reduce or deny benefits depending on how much you're getting and whether your employer contributed to it. Also, if you're not a US citizen or don't have work authorization, that can disqualify you even if you were working legally before. The key thing is to be completely honest on your application because any false information is considered fraud and will definitely disqualify you.

honestly the whole system is designed to trip you up and deny claims. they'll find any excuse to say no. even if you qualify they'll put you through adjudication hell for months. just be prepared for a fight

File your claim as soon as possible even if you're not sure about eligibility. It's better to apply and get denied than to wait and miss out on benefits you're entitled to. The worst they can say is no, but if you don't apply you definitely won't get anything.