After 26 weeks of unemployment what do I do - NYS Department of Labor next steps?
My regular unemployment benefits just ran out after hitting the 26 week limit. I'm still actively looking for work but haven't found anything yet. What happens now? Do I need to file for something else through NYS Department of Labor or am I just cut off? I've been doing my weekly claims religiously and meeting all the job search requirements but I'm panicking about what comes next. Is there an extension program or do I need to apply for something different? Really stressed about this timing.
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Emily Thompson
Unfortunately, New York doesn't have an extended benefits program running right now. After your 26 weeks of regular UI benefits end, you'll need to look into other options. You might qualify for SNAP benefits or other assistance programs. Also check if you're eligible for any retraining programs through the state - sometimes those come with stipends.
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Jacob Lee
•So there's literally nothing else through NYS Department of Labor? That seems crazy after paying into the system for years.
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Sophie Hernandez
You should definitely file a new claim if it's been more than a year since your original claim started. Sometimes people are eligible for a second benefit year if they worked enough after their original claim. Go to the NYS Department of Labor website and check your monetary determination - you might have earned enough wages to qualify for a new claim period.
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Jacob Lee
•I did work part-time for a few months last year while on partial benefits. Should I try filing a new claim then?
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Sophie Hernandez
•Yes, definitely try it. If you earned enough wages since your original claim, you could get a whole new benefit year. Worth checking at least.
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Daniela Rossi
ugh this happened to me too!! 26 weeks goes by SO fast when you cant find decent work. i ended up having to take a crappy retail job just to pay bills. the whole system is broken if you ask me
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Ryan Kim
•I feel you on this. It's so frustrating when you're genuinely trying to find work but everything out there pays nothing.
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Zoe Walker
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on filing a new claim, I used this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected. Might be worth it to get a clear answer about whether you can file a new claim.
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Elijah Brown
•How much does something like that cost? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to someone at the unemployment office.
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Zoe Walker
•I thought the same thing at first, but honestly after weeks of not being able to get through it was worth it to me. They don't mention pricing upfront on their site but for me it was worth not spending entire days redialing.
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Maria Gonzalez
Wait I'm confused - I thought there were federal extensions? My cousin in another state got extra weeks last year. Why doesn't NY have this??
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Emily Thompson
Federal extensions only kick in when unemployment rates hit certain triggers. Right now NY's unemployment rate isn't high enough to qualify for extended benefits. The pandemic extensions (like PEUC) ended in 2021 and haven't been renewed.
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Mateo Rodriguez
I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from calling the DOL directly. They told me to definitely check if you qualify for a new benefit year first - log into your NY.gov account and look at your monetary determination. If you worked enough hours and earned enough wages since your original claim started, you might be eligible for a fresh 26 weeks. Also, while you're figuring this out, make sure to apply for other assistance programs ASAP - SNAP, emergency rental assistance, utility help through HEAP, etc. The wait times for some of these programs can be long so get your applications in now. Don't let pride stop you from getting help while you're still job searching!
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Ryder Ross
•This is really helpful advice, thank you! I didn't even think about applying for other assistance programs while I'm trying to figure out the unemployment situation. How long does it usually take to hear back about SNAP and those other programs? I'm worried about the gap between when my benefits ended and when I might get approved for something else.
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