To answer your question about mentioning the previous disqualification - you don't need to volunteer that information, but if they ask directly you should be honest. Focus on your current job loss and the fact that it was through no fault of your own. Make sure you have documentation from your employer about the layoff if possible.

I went through something similar a few years back. Got disqualified initially but was able to file a new claim when I got laid off from my next job. One thing that helped me was keeping all the paperwork from my layoff - the WARN notice, any emails about the company restructuring, etc. Having that documentation ready made the process smoother when they reviewed my claim. Also, don't stress too much about the previous disqualification - like others said, they really focus on your most recent job separation. Good luck!

also seasonal workers usually qualify when the season ends, and temp workers qualify when their assignment ends if theyre not immediately placed somewhere else. the key is you have to be able and available to work and actively looking for new employment

Just want to add a few more scenarios that qualify - if you're dealing with domestic violence and need to leave your job for safety reasons, that's considered good cause. Also, if you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing your specific job duties (but you can still work other jobs), you may qualify. And for anyone wondering about part-time work - you can sometimes collect partial benefits if you're working reduced hours, as long as your weekly earnings don't exceed your benefit amount. The system is more flexible than people think in certain situations.

Everyone saying 26 weeks is right, but no one talking about the stupidly low maximum benefit amount in NY 🙄 even if you made good money before, the max benefit is way below what most people need to survive in NY. The whole system needs an overhaul.

Hey there! As someone who's been through the NY unemployment system twice now, I can confirm what others are saying - 26 weeks is definitely the hard limit for regular benefits. But here's what helped me when I was in a similar spot: I started doing odd jobs through apps like Thumbtack and Handy while still collecting partial benefits. Since you're in construction, you probably have skills that are in demand year-round for home repairs and small projects. The key is to report your earnings honestly - it'll reduce your weekly benefit but those partial weeks don't count as full weeks against your 26, so you can stretch it out longer. Also definitely look into that 599 training program someone mentioned earlier - if you can get into an approved trade certification program, it might extend your benefits during training. Start exploring all your options now while you still have a few weeks left. Good luck!

If your brother is having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask about his specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't get through on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth trying if he wants to verify his eligibility directly with NYS Department of Labor instead of guessing.

The system is honestly ridiculous that a kid who loses their job can't get help just because they haven't worked long enough yet. Like what are they supposed to do in the meantime?

Another thing to keep in mind - if you do end up using the KeyBank card for a while, you can check your balance and transaction history online through their cardholder portal or by calling the customer service number on the back of the card. I found this really helpful for budgeting since unemployment payments come weekly. Also, if you ever have issues with the card (lost, stolen, damaged), KeyBank will rush you a replacement but it's good to have your account info written down somewhere safe just in case!

Just wanted to add my experience from last year - I initially got the KeyBank card but switched to direct deposit after about a month. The card worked fine, but I noticed my payments hit my bank account on Tuesdays with direct deposit versus Wednesday/Thursday with the card. That extra day or two really mattered when I was tight on money. Also, if you're planning to use the card at stores, some places might ask for ID since it's a government benefits card - totally normal but just wanted to give you a heads up so you're not caught off guard!