I filed a new claim after my benefit year ended with no new work and got denied. Then I called (finally got through after using claimyr.com) and found out I could appeal the decision. Still waiting to hear back on my appeal but at least I have a chance.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of potentially losing your only income source is unimaginable. From what I've researched, NY requires you to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters during your base period to qualify for a new claim. Without any work since May 2021, you likely won't meet this requirement. However, don't give up completely! Here are some steps I'd suggest: 1. Apply anyway - sometimes there are exceptions or the system might find qualifying wages you forgot about 2. If denied, you can appeal the decision 3. Look into emergency assistance programs immediately - SNAP, HEAP for utilities, and county rental assistance 4. Contact your local state representative's office for help navigating resources 5. Consider contacting legal aid organizations that help with unemployment issues The phone system is definitely broken, but if you absolutely need to speak with someone, several people here have mentioned success with claimyr.com for getting through to actual agents. You're not alone in this situation - many people are facing the same impossible choice between taking jobs that don't pay enough to survive and losing benefits entirely. Stay strong and explore every option available to you.

same thing happened to my neighbor, she just had to apply for other benefits and keep looking for work

This is such a frustrating situation and unfortunately very common. The system calculates your total benefit amount when you first file based on your previous wages, and once that money is gone, that's it - even if you have weeks left in your benefit year. It's not based on a guaranteed 26 weeks, but rather on your specific monetary entitlement. I'd suggest calling the NYS DOL to confirm you don't qualify for any extensions, and definitely look into other safety net programs like SNAP, emergency rental assistance, and local food banks while you continue your job search. Don't give up - keep applying and using all the job placement services available through the state.

The confusion is totally understandable - I went through the same thing when I was between jobs. The key thing to remember is that NYS looks at your entire work history during that base period, not just your current job. So @Lydia Santiago, your 6 weeks at the new job plus any previous work you had in the last 5 quarters would all count toward meeting those wage requirements. I'd recommend logging into your my.ny.gov account like Eve mentioned to see your actual wage credits - that'll give you a clear picture of where you stand eligibility-wise before you need to make any decisions about the job fit.

I've been through a similar situation where I wasn't sure about my eligibility after starting a new job. What really helped me was calling the NYS Department of Labor directly to go over my specific work history and wage credits. They can tell you exactly where you stand based on your individual circumstances. The representatives are usually pretty helpful once you get through - though I know that can be the challenging part! They can also explain how your previous employment would factor into the base period calculation, which varies depending on when exactly you file. It's worth having that conversation before you make any decisions about the job, especially since you're still in the probationary period where things could go either way.

the whole system is messed up they should just make it simple but they want people to give up and not get benefits thats why they make it so complicated

Glad to hear you got through and got some answers! That 1.5 hour wait is pretty typical unfortunately. Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - when you file your new claim, make sure you have all your employer information from the past 18 months ready, not just your most recent job. The system looks at your entire base period to calculate your new benefit amount. Also, if your new claim gets approved for a lower weekly amount than your previous claim, you might be eligible to stay on your old claim through something called a "transitional claim" - definitely ask about that when you call. Hope your payment comes through soon!

There's a special place in hell for whoever designed the ny unemployment system. Watching my savings drain away while waiting for them to verify I'm not committing fraud (which THEY should know since THEY have all my employment records) is just *chef's kiss* the perfect American experience.

This whole thread is giving me flashbacks to my own nightmare with NY unemployment. I went through almost the exact same thing - fraud flag for 6 weeks, no payments, couldn't get through on the phone. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: I used one of those callback services (similar to what others mentioned), AND I filed a complaint with the NY State Attorney General's office online. Within 3 days of filing that complaint, someone from DOL called me directly and my account was cleared. I think the AG complaint creates a paper trail they can't ignore. Also, document EVERYTHING - every call, every person you speak to, reference numbers, dates. If this drags on much longer, consider filing for emergency assistance through your county social services. They have programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment. Hang in there - the system is broken but you WILL get your money eventually.