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Just wanted to add that if you exhaust your 26 weeks of regular UI, you might be eligible for extended benefits during periods of high unemployment, but that's rare and depends on statewide unemployment rates. For planning purposes, definitely count on 26 weeks and not a day more.
Hey Mateo! Just to add some practical advice - I went through this process last year and the 26 weeks goes by faster than you think. Start your job search immediately even if you're taking a few days to decompress. The weekly certification process becomes routine but don't skip it - I set a phone reminder for the same day/time each week. Also, your benefit amount is calculated from your highest earning quarter in your base period, so it might be different than what you expect. The NYS DOL website has a benefit calculator that can give you a rough estimate. Good luck with everything!
@Vanessa Figueroa This is really helpful practical advice! I didn t'realize the benefit amount was based on the highest earning quarter - that s'good to know for planning. Setting a weekly reminder is a great tip too. Did you find the benefit calculator on the NYS DOL website accurate compared to what you actually received? I m'trying to budget for the next few months and want to make sure I m'being realistic about the weekly amount.
Can confirm - had to re-enter all my direct deposit info with my new claim. Ridiculous but thats how it works. Also make sure you check that the last 4 digits of your account number showing in the system match your actual account after you enter it. The website glitched on me and somehow transposed two numbers which caused my payment to bounce back!
Just went through this exact same thing when I filed my new claim in January! You definitely have to re-enter your direct deposit info - it doesn't carry over from your previous claim. I made the mistake of assuming it would transfer automatically and almost missed my first payment because of it. Go into your NY.gov unemployment account and look for the payment method section. Make sure you update it BEFORE your first payment is scheduled to be released. Also double-check that it actually saved properly because I've heard from multiple people that the system sometimes glitches and doesn't save the changes. If you're having trouble getting through on the phone to fix any issues, I've seen people mention using services like claimyr to get connected faster, though I haven't tried it myself. Good luck getting your payments sorted out before rent is due!
I'm at week 24 now and definitely feeling the pressure! Been applying everywhere but employers are being really picky. At least I know I have 2 more weeks to figure something out.
I'm in a similar boat - at week 18 and starting to panic about the 26 week limit. Have you looked into any workforce development programs or career services that might be available while you're still collecting? I heard some community colleges offer free retraining programs for unemployed workers. Might be worth checking out if it could help you transition to a different field with better job prospects before your benefits run out.
File ASAP! I made the same mistake thinking I'd bounce back quickly. The job market is tougher than it looks right now. At least with UI you'll have some income while you search. Just make sure you understand the job search requirements - you have to apply to a certain number of jobs each week and keep records.
Don't beat yourself up about waiting - lots of people think they'll find work quickly and end up in the same boat. The important thing is to file now before you lose any more potential benefits. When you apply, make sure you have your employment history for the past 18 months ready, including dates, employer info, and reason for separation. Also be prepared for the initial application to take some time - it's pretty thorough but worth doing carefully to avoid delays later.
Max Knight
same thing here, got the audit notice last month and was totally confused about what they wanted
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Sarah Ali
I just went through this audit process a few months ago and wanted to share what helped me. The key is organization - I created a simple spreadsheet with all my job applications, dates, company names, and contact info. Also kept screenshots of online applications and copies of any email confirmations. The NYS Department of Labor auditor was actually pretty reasonable and just wanted to verify I was actively looking for work. The whole thing was resolved in about 2-3 weeks. Don't stress too much, just be thorough with your records and respond promptly to any requests they make.
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Christopher Morgan
•This is really helpful advice! I'm definitely going to create a spreadsheet like you suggested. Quick question - did they ask for any specific timeframe of job search records, or did they want everything from when you started claiming benefits? I want to make sure I have the right documentation ready.
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