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Can I apply for another 26 weeks of NY unemployment after benefits end?

I've been receiving unemployment since March after getting laid off from my restaurant job. My current benefit year is about to expire in October and I'm still struggling to find steady work in my field. The job market for hospitality is still really tough in my area. I've applied to about 35 places but only got 3 interviews that didn't pan out. I'm wondering if anyone knows if I can reapply for another 26 weeks of benefits once my current claim is exhausted? My weekly payment is around $320 which barely covers rent, but it's keeping me afloat for now. Has anyone successfully filed a new claim after their first one ended? Do I need to wait until my current benefits are completely finished before applying again? Any info on the process would be super helpful because I'm getting nervous about what happens next month.

Oliver Schulz

You can apply for a new benefit year after your current one expires, but you need to have worked during your benefit year and earned enough wages to qualify. If you havent worked at all since starting unemployment, you probably wont qualify for a new claim. You need to have some W2 income in the base period for a new claim. Check your monetarily eligable quarters on the website.

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Amina Diallo

Thanks for the info. I did pick up some part time work for about 2 months during the summer, but it wasn't much. Maybe $2,300 total. Is that enough to qualify?

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27d

Oliver Schulz

Honestly that's probably not enough. You usually need to earn at least 10x your weekly benefit rate in covered employment, and have some work in multiple quarters. But definitely still apply - worst they can say is no.

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24d

Natasha Orlova

They calculate using a specific base period. Whatever you do DON'T just let your current claim expire without filing a new one. Keep certifying until they tell you to stop or file new claim. The system is designed to make people give up 💯

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23d

Javier Cruz

I was in a similar situation last year when my benefits were running out. Calling them was IMPOSSIBLE until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They kept calling NY unemployment for me and when an agent picked up, they connected me right to my phone! Saved me days of frustration and the agent was able to tell me exactly what I needed to do for a new claim. Talking to an agent got my situation sorted in one call. There's also a helpful video about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Emma Wilson

does this actually work? I've been trying to call them for 2 weeks straight with no luck

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26d

Javier Cruz

Yes! I was super desperate after trying for days to get through. It was the best money I've spent in months because it finally got me answers about my claim.

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24d

Malik Thomas

wait is this some kind of ad? sounds too good to be true tbh 🤔

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23d

Javier Cruz

Not an ad lol, just sharing what worked for me. I was ready to throw my phone out the window after being on hold for 4+ hours multiple days in a row. You can check reviews online if you're skeptical.

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23d

NeonNebula

I actually tried this too after seeing someone mention it here. Got through to an agent in about 90 minutes. Before that I couldn't get anyone on the phone for weeks.

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23d

Isabella Costa

You need to have worked and earned enough during your benefit year to qualify for a new claim. Important: If you earned less than 10x your weekly benefit rate in covered employment during your benefit year, you might qualify for what's called a 'Section 596' claim which could allow you to collect remaining benefits from your old claim. Call and ask specifically about Section 596.

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Ravi Malhotra

everyone is gonna tell u diff things but the truth is with NY unemployment is you GOTTA talk to a rep directly. the online info is never clear and the rules change. i spent 3 weeks trying to get answers online and got nowere. finally got a human on the phone and fixed everything in 10 mins.

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Amina Diallo

Yeah that's what I'm seeing. The website is so confusing. How did you finally get through to someone? Every time I call it's just busy signals or hangups.

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23d

Ravi Malhotra

bruh it was a nightmare. called like 75 times over 3 days. best time is right when they open at 8am. or try claimyr.com which some people here recommended. haven't used it myself but heard it works

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23d

Freya Christensen

just letting u know that after ur benefit year ends, if u try to file a new claim and don't qualify, they'll put u on an extended benefits program IF one is available. right now i don't think NY has any extended programs running tho. ur best bet is to find any work u can to establish some new earnings. even a month of part time work could help.

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Amina Diallo

That's pretty depressing news. I've been applying everywhere but it's been really tough.

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23d

Omar Farouk

Try looking outside your field too. Lot of places hiring rn that weren't before. Amazon, Target, etc all desperate for workers. Not ideal but better than nothing while u keep looking for something in your field

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23d

Freya Christensen

yea its tough out there. i had to take a warehouse job for a few months just to build up some qualifying income for a new claim period. not ideal but it worked.

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23d

Chloe Davis

Here's what I know about reapplying for NY unemployment benefits after exhaustion: First, understand the difference between BENEFIT YEAR ENDING vs EXHAUSTING BENEFITS. Your benefit year is the 12-month period that begins when you first apply. You can exhaust your 26 weeks of benefits before your benefit year ends. To qualify for a new claim, you need: - To have worked in covered employment during your benefit year - Earned at least 10x your weekly benefit rate during your benefit year - Meet the standard earnings requirements in your base period If you haven't worked enough, you won't qualify for a new claim. There are currently NO federal extensions available like there were during the pandemic. My advice: 1. File the new claim anyway when your benefit year ends - sometimes people are surprised they qualify 2. Call and speak directly with a representative about your specific situation (use claimyr.com if you're having trouble getting through - it's how I finally got someone on the phone) 3. Look into other assistance programs while job searching (SNAP, rental assistance, etc) 4. Take any temporary work you can find - even a few weeks can help establish qualifying income Good luck! The system is frustrating but don't give up on getting the benefits you're entitled to.

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AstroAlpha

This ⬆️ is the most accurate answer here. I work in HR and this is exactly how it works.

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23d

Amina Diallo

Thank you so much for this detailed explanation. Really helps me understand what I'm facing. I'll definitely file again when my benefit year ends and see what happens.

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23d

Diego Chavez

keep applying but also look into whats called the 599 training program! if u get approved for certain job training programs they will extend ur benefits while u learn new skills. helped me transition to a new field last year when restaurants weren't hiring.

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Anastasia Smirnova

lol good luck getting ANY clear answers from ny unemployment. their system is designed to confuse people so they give up. i literally had to contact my state senator's office to get my issue resolved after 3 months of nothing.

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Sean O'Brien

This is actually good advice - contacting your local rep. My assemblyman's office helped me when I was stuck in pending for weeks. They have special contacts at DOL.

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23d

Anastasia Smirnova

yup. sad that it takes political pressure to get basic service but here we are 🤷‍♂️

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Zara Shah

One thing nobody mentioned - if you work freelance or do gig work during your benefit year, that usually DOESNT count toward qualifying for a new claim. Has to be W2 income with an employer that pays into the unemployment system. Found that out the hard way.

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Amina Diallo

Oh yikes, that's good to know. I did some food delivery for a while through one of the apps but I'm guessing that won't count then.

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23d

Zara Shah

Exactly! That won't help qualify you for a new claim unfortunately. I did Uber for 4 months thinking it would help me qualify but nope 😑

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Luca Bianchi

Their rules make no sense. I worked 8 weeks during my benefit year and still got denied for a new claim because it wasn't enough. The system is rigged against workers.

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GalacticGuardian

watch out for the timing on this! if u wait until after your benefits are exhausted to apply, you might lose weeks of eligibility. file the new claim as soon as your benefit year is ending, even if you still have some weeks left on your current claim.

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Amina Diallo

That's a great tip, thank you! My benefit year ends October 12th so I'll make sure to file right away.

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23d

Nia Harris

not to be a downer but have u considered relocating? the restaurant industry is booming in some parts of the country. my cousin moved from NY to FL and had a job within 2 days. sometimes a fresh start is the best option.

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Amina Diallo

I've thought about it but my family is all here and moving costs are so high right now. Definitely considering it if things don't improve soon though.

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23d

Mateo Gonzalez

I did this and it was the best decision ever. Got priced out of NY anyway. Now making better money with lower cost of living. Something to consider.

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Aisha Ali

everyone here talking about reapplying but nobody mentioned that if ur lucky enough to qualify for a new claim, ur weekly benefit amount will probably be lower if u only worked part time or for a short period during ur benefit year. just fyi

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Ethan Moore

The whole unemployment system is such a joke rn. Designed in the 1930s and still running like it. I feel for ya and hope you find work soon.

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Yuki Nakamura

for real tho 😂 their computer system prob still running windows 95

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23d

StarSurfer

This is actually a common question! When your benefit year expires, you CAN apply for a new claim. However, you must have earned wages in covered employment during your benefit year AND those wages must be at least 10x your weekly benefit rate AND you must meet all the regular qualifying criteria. If you don't qualify, there's currently no extension programs available in NY. Your best bet is to: 1) Apply anyway - sometimes people qualify when they think they won't 2) Make sure you get through to a REAL PERSON to discuss your specific situation 3) Ask specifically about any special provisions that might apply to your case To get through to someone quickly, I recommend using claimyr.com - they'll keep calling until they get a rep and then connect you. Saved me days of frustration and got my issue resolved in one call. Don't wait until your benefits run out completely - start this process at least 2-3 weeks before your benefit year ends.

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Carmen Reyes

claimyr really works? im on day 5 of trying to reach someone 😫

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23d

StarSurfer

Yes! Honestly after trying to call myself for two weeks straight with no luck, it was the only thing that worked. Got connected to an agent who fixed everything.

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23d

Andre Moreau

I was so skeptical about services like this but I was desperate after my benefits got stuck in pending for 6 weeks. It actually worked and I got my backpay sorted out.

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23d