I'm in this exact same situation - my benefits exhausted about 3 weeks ago and I've been completely lost trying to figure out what to do next. This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I had no clue about the One-Stop Career Centers, Shared Work Program, or the Claimyr service. It's really disappointing that when your benefits hit "exhausted" status, the system basically abandons you with zero guidance about available resources. I've been in event management and the industry is still recovering - finding full-time positions with decent pay has been incredibly difficult. I'm definitely going to try filing a new claim online this week like everyone suggests, even though I doubt I have sufficient recent wages. The One-Stop Career Center route sounds particularly promising for exploring retraining opportunities. Has anyone here actually been successful getting approved for a new claim after exhausting benefits? Would love to hear about real experiences with that process. Thank you so much for asking this question - you've opened up such an important discussion that clearly many of us desperately needed!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my benefits just exhausted 10 days ago and I've been feeling completely overwhelmed about what comes next. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! Like so many others here, I had absolutely no idea about resources like the One-Stop Career Centers, the Shared Work Program, or services like Claimyr that can help you actually get through to speak with someone. It's really frustrating that the my.ny.gov portal just shows that "exhausted" status with zero guidance about what options might be available. I've been in food service management for about 5 years and finding stable positions that pay a living wage has been such a struggle lately. Based on all the great advice here, I'm definitely going to try filing a new claim online this week even if I probably don't have enough recent wages to qualify - at least I'll know for sure where I stand. I'm also going to reach out to my local One-Stop Career Center to see what training programs or other assistance might be available. The Shared Work Program sounds really promising too as a way to get some income while continuing the job search. Thank you so much for posting this question - you've helped so many of us who are dealing with this same confusing situation!

Another option that worked for me was reaching out through the NY.gov website's "Contact Us" form rather than calling. I submitted a detailed message explaining my adjudication issue with my claim number and got an email response within 5 business days with specific instructions on what documents to upload. Sometimes the written route gets better results than the phone system. Also, if you have a local One-Stop Career Center (American Job Center), they often have staff who can help you navigate the NYS Department of Labor system and may even be able to make calls on your behalf. Worth checking if there's one near you!

I'm dealing with a similar adjudication issue right now and it's incredibly stressful. From what I've learned lurking in unemployment Facebook groups, the key things that seem to help are: 1) Keep certifying every week no matter what (like Amina said), 2) Check your online account daily for any correspondence or questionnaires - apparently missing these can delay things for months, and 3) Document everything with screenshots in case you need to appeal later. I'm also going to try that assembly member contact suggestion from Jamal - that sounds way more promising than sitting on hold for hours. Has anyone had luck with the NY.gov contact form that Lauren mentioned? I'm wondering if I should try multiple approaches at once or if that might actually slow things down.

Don't give up hope! I work with unemployment cases and have seen NYS DOL approve backdating for much longer periods when there's documented employer misinformation. The fact that you have that text message is gold - it shows you relied on incorrect advice from your employer in good faith. When you file, make sure to upload that screenshot and be very clear in your explanation that you were specifically told by your boss that you wouldn't qualify. NYS DOL takes employer misinformation seriously because it prevents eligible workers from accessing benefits they're entitled to. File today if possible - every day you wait makes it harder to justify the delay. Good luck!

I went through something similar earlier this year! Was laid off in April but my supervisor convinced me I wouldn't qualify since I'd only been there 8 months. Turns out that was completely wrong - you only need to have worked long enough to earn sufficient wages in your base period, which for most people is much less than a year. I finally filed in July and got approved for backdating all the way to my layoff date. The key was being upfront about the misinformation and providing proof. That text from your boss is perfect evidence - definitely include it when you file. NYS DOL seems to understand that employers often give bad advice (intentionally or not) and they don't penalize workers for relying on it. File ASAP though - the longer you wait now, the harder it gets to justify!

I've been collecting NY unemployment since June and have taken two trips to visit family in other states - one to Virginia for a week and another to Tennessee for a long weekend. Both times I was nervous about it, but everything went perfectly fine! The key is exactly what everyone else has said: stay available for work and keep up with your job search requirements. I brought my laptop both times and continued applying for jobs every day I was there. Even had a couple phone screens while I was away. The most important thing when you certify is being honest about your availability - and since you're clearly available for remote interviews and would accept work if offered, you're totally good. For your Nevada trip, just treat it like any other week in terms of job searching, just from a different location. The NY system definitely accommodates normal life situations like visiting family. Don't stress about this - I was overthinking it too initially, but after going through it myself, I can say it's really not a big deal at all. Have an amazing time with your family! 🎉

I've been on NY unemployment since February and had a very similar situation when I needed to visit my cousins in Oregon for a few days last fall. I was so stressed about it beforehand, but it ended up being totally fine! I kept up with my job applications while I was there and even had a phone interview during the trip. The key is just being truthful when you certify - since you're available for remote work and interviews, your physical location for a short family visit really doesn't matter. I brought my laptop and made sure I had good WiFi wherever I was staying. The NY DOL definitely understands that people have family they need to visit. Just document your job search activities like you normally would and enjoy your time in Nevada! From everything I've experienced and all the stories in this thread, you're completely fine for a Thursday-Monday trip as long as you stay available and keep job searching. Safe travels! ✈️

I'm currently going through this exact situation and this thread has been more helpful than anything I could find on official government websites! My benefits just exhausted last week and I was completely lost about what to do next. Based on everyone's experiences here, I've put together my own game plan and wanted to share a few additional resources I discovered: 1. **New York State's Access NY Health Care website** has a really comprehensive benefits calculator that includes not just SNAP and Medicaid, but also WIC, LIHEAP, and other programs I didn't even know existed. 2. **United Way** (not just 211) often has local emergency assistance funds that can help with immediate needs like groceries or utilities while you're waiting for other applications to process. 3. **Your local Community Action Agency** - I found mine through a quick Google search and they offer everything from emergency food boxes to help with job applications and interview prep. One thing I learned that might help others - when you call these assistance programs, be very specific about your situation. Don't just say "I need help" - say "My unemployment benefits just ended and I have X dollars left and need to pay rent in Y days." They often have different programs for different situations and being specific helps them connect you with the right resources faster. The stress of this situation is real, but seeing everyone support each other here and share practical solutions gives me hope that there are ways to get through this transition. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences - you're literally helping people survive right now!

I'm facing the exact same situation and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! My benefits are set to run out in about a week and I've been dreading it, but reading everyone's experiences and solutions here has given me a roadmap to follow. I've already started implementing some of the advice from this thread: - Called 211 yesterday and got connected to several local programs I never knew existed - Started my SNAP application online (hoping to qualify for expedited processing) - Found my local Community Action Agency and have an appointment next week - Signed up with two temp agencies that are hiring for tax season One thing I wanted to add that I discovered - my county has a "One Stop" center that helps coordinate multiple benefit applications. Instead of applying to each program separately, they can help you apply for SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and temporary assistance all in one visit. I found it by searching "[county name] one stop benefits" and it came right up. The whole situation is still terrifying, but having concrete steps to take instead of just panicking has made such a difference. Thank you to everyone who's shared their knowledge and experiences - this community has been more helpful than any official resource I've found. We really are all in this together!