Can I apply for NY unemployment again after being terminated following a furlough period?

You should be able to file a new claim. A termination after furlough is considered a new qualifying event that could potentially reset your benefit eligibility. I was in a similar situation last year - furloughed for 6 months, collected benefits, then got the termination notice. When I reapplied, they approved me because it was considered a new separation from employment. You'll need to call NYSDOL to explain your situation though.

depends on WHY you were terminated. if it was for misconduct you might not qualify. if its just because the company couldn't bring you back thats different

This is actually a complicated situation. Under NY unemployment rules, you need to look at two things: your benefit year and your base period. Since you exhausted your benefits during the furlough, you'll need to establish a new claim with a new base period. The termination itself can count as a new qualifying event, but you also need to have earned enough wages in your new base period to qualify for a new claim. Did you work at all between collecting benefits and being terminated? If not, you might not have enough new earnings in your base period to qualify for a new claim right away.

I went through this EXACT situation in March. You need to call and explain your situation to an actual agent. The online system doesn't handle these edge cases well. When I finally got through to someone, they explained that I could file a new claim because termination after furlough is considered a new qualifying event. The trick is actually getting through to someone on the phone. I spent 3 days trying to get through the automated system with no luck. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent within 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. Totally worth it because the agent was able to process my new claim on the spot.

NY unemployment is so confusing!!! I was on unemployment last year and every time I thought I understood the rules something would change. Good luck!!

To clarify the rules here: Normally, you need both a qualifying event (like termination) AND sufficient base period wages to establish a new claim. However, New York does have provisions for certain situations where your benefit year ended but you didn't return to work. You should definitely apply again and explain your situation. The worst they can say is no, but there's a good chance you'll qualify under one of the special provisions. Make sure to emphasize that your status changed from furlough to termination - that's a key distinction.

The NY unemployment system is GARBAGE!!!! I've been through this exact same thing and they made me wait 6 WEEKS before approving my second claim after my termination. They kept saying I needed to have new earnings but eventually approved it anyway because the termination was a new "qualifying event" or whatever. But SIX WEEKS with no income!!! How do they expect people to survive????

Update: I called using that Claimyr service and actually got through to an agent! You were all right - it is a special situation. The agent said since my status changed from furlough to terminated, I can file a new claim even without new earnings because it's considered a new qualifying event. She helped me file it right on the call. Now I just have to wait for the determination, but she said it should be approved within 2-3 business days. Such a relief!

my cousin works for the unemployment office (not in NY tho) and she says that theyre supposed to treat furlough-to-termination as a new qualifying event but sometimes the system messes up and categorizes it wrong. thats probably why some people wait longer than others. also depends on which agent you get i guess

Final update for anyone who finds this post later: My claim was approved! It took 5 days, not the 2-3 the agent initially said, but that's still way better than waiting for weeks. I got the determination letter today and my first payment should be processed next week. The key really was talking to an actual person who could understand my specific situation. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!