Can I extend my NY unemployment benefits or do I need to reapply when they run out?

Unfortunately NY unemployment has a 26-week maximum benefit period (standard UI). After that, you're pretty much done unless there's some special extension program running, which there isn't right now. You'd need to have new employment and then lose it again to qualify for a new claim period.

I was in the exact same spot a few months ago! Couldn't get through on the phones for WEEKS. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got a callback with an actual agent in like 30 mins. The agent was able to explain all my options clearly. Best money I've spent to finally get some answers and peace of mind! Check out their video too: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

To directly answer ur question: there are no benefit extensions in NY right now. The pandemic extensions all ended back in 2021. Once you hit 26 weeks, that's it until you qualify for a new benefit year with new employment.

Look into other assistance while you job search. Food stamps (SNAP), HEAP for utilities, rental assistance programs. Also check if your county has any emergency assistance funds available. Don't wait until you're completely out of money to apply for these!

there is actually a way to extend in very specific circumstances. if you enroll in an approved training program you might qualify for something called '599 training benefits' that gives you up to 26 MORE weeks. but you gotta be in an approved training/education program and get it authorized by nysdol.

Hey I was in ur exact situation in September! What actually worked: I had to call the unemployment office EVERY DAY for 2 weeks straight. finally got through to an agent who explained I couldn't extend but they helped me understand when I would qualify for a new claim. The number you need is the claims line not the general help line. Call EXACTLY at 8:01 am when they open.

The NY unemployment system is such a joke. They make it impossible to reach anyone, the website looks like it was built in 1998, and nobody can give you a straight answer. I spent 4 months fighting to get payments after my benefitsran out. Ended up having to contact my state assembly person to get any help.

No extensions available currently in NY. With that said, here's my comprehensive advice after dealing with the unemployment system for way too long: 1) Apply for other benefits NOW while you still have some UI income - SNAP, HEAP, etc. The applications take time to process! 2) Double-check your benefit calculation. Many people don't realize they've been underpaid. Check if your benefit rate is correct based on your highest quarter earnings. 3) Make sure you're searching for work in multiple ways - not just online applications. Network, do informational interviews, contact temp agencies. 4) If you absolutely need to speak with a claims specialist to understand your options, use Claimyr.com - it's the only reliable way to get through instead of wasting days on hold. 5) If all else fails, contact your state assembly person or senator. They have special channels to unemployment office management. 6) Look into whether you qualify for the 599 training program if you're interested in retraining for a new career. Good luck! The system is frustrating but there are still some options available.

maybe u cud try partial unemployment? if u can find even part time work u can still collect some benefits while making up to a certain amount. its not a full extension but better than nothing

I went thru this last year. Here's what ended up working for me: 1) applied for partial benefits while working part-time 2) took a training course that qualified for 599 3) claimyr.com to actually TALK to someone when my benefits got messed up. Everything else was just me banging my head against the wall tbh.

just commenting to follow this thread cause i'm in the same boat. benefits ending next month and job market is ROUGH 😩

My cousin works for NY unemployment (dont tell her i told u lol). She says there are NO EXTENSIONS available right now and there's nothing in the works politically to add any. The 26 weeks is it, unless you qualify for 599 training which is very specific.

Why is no one talking about how messed up it is that NY unemployment only lasts 26 weeks when finding a job can take way longer?? Other states have better systems. NY needs to step up.

ive tried every possible way to extend benefits and nothing worked. what DID work was getting thru to an actual person at unemployment who helped me understand my options. spent 3 days calling nonstop with no luck. used claimyr.com and got a callback in like an hour. the lady i talked to was super helpful, explained exactly what I needed to do next.

ATTENTION!!! Before your benefits run out completely make SURE you submit your final weekly claim! I missed my last one thinking it didn't matter and then had a huge headache trying to get that last payment. The system doesn't automatically pay you for that final week.

I'm in a similar situation with my benefits ending soon. Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like the 599 training program might be worth looking into if you're open to learning new skills. I found some info on the NY DOL website about approved training programs - looks like they have partnerships with community colleges and some online programs too. You have to get pre-approval before starting the training though, so definitely don't enroll first and ask questions later. Also seconding what others said about applying for other assistance programs NOW while you still have some income coming in. The food stamp application alone took me 3 weeks to process. Hang in there - this job market is brutal but there are still some safety nets available if you know where to look.

Just want to add my experience - I was in your exact shoes about 6 months ago when my benefits were about to expire. The harsh reality is that NY doesn't have any regular extensions right now, but I did manage to bridge the gap by combining a few strategies. First, I applied for every other assistance program I could qualify for (SNAP, HEAP, local food banks) which helped reduce my expenses. Second, I found part-time gig work through apps like TaskRabbit and Instacart - you can still collect partial unemployment while earning up to a certain threshold. It's not ideal but it kept some money coming in while I continued my job search. The key is to start applying for these other programs NOW before your UI runs out completely. Also, if you're even remotely interested in learning new skills, definitely look into that 599 training program others mentioned - seems like it could be a real lifeline for people in our situation. The job market is tough but don't lose hope!

I went through this same situation last year and it's super stressful, I feel for you! Unfortunately the reality is NY maxes out at 26 weeks with no regular extensions available right now. But here are the options I found that actually helped: 1) Look into the 599 training program ASAP - you need pre-approval but it can give you up to 26 additional weeks if you're in an approved training program. 2) Apply for partial unemployment if you can find ANY part-time work - you can earn up to about $504/week (varies by your benefit amount) before they start reducing payments. 3) Start other assistance applications NOW - SNAP, HEAP, local emergency rental assistance. These take weeks to process. 4) If you absolutely need to talk to someone at unemployment, don't waste days calling - use a callback service like the ones others mentioned. The phone system is deliberately frustrating. 5) Contact your state assembly person if you hit roadblocks - they have direct contacts at DOL. It's a broken system but you're not out of options yet. The 599 training route might be your best bet if you're open to learning new skills. Hang in there!

I'm in almost the same exact situation - my benefits run out in about a month and I'm panicking about what comes next. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the 599 training program and definitely didn't know you could do partial unemployment with gig work. My field (graphic design) has been hit pretty hard so retraining might actually be a smart move. Going to start researching approved programs tomorrow and get those assistance applications going. The whole system seems designed to make you give up but sounds like there are still some options if you know where to look. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - makes me feel less alone in this mess!

I'm dealing with this same issue right now - benefits ending in 2 weeks and getting nowhere with the phone system. Reading through all these responses has been super eye-opening! Had no clue about the 599 training program or that you could combine partial benefits with gig work. I've been so focused on trying to find a full-time position that I hadn't considered these other strategies. Definitely going to look into approved training programs this week - I work in retail management but honestly been thinking it might be time for a career pivot anyway. Also going to bite the bullet and start those SNAP/HEAP applications everyone keeps mentioning. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - makes this whole situation feel way less hopeless when you realize there are still some options out there if you dig deep enough!

I'm in the same boat as you - my benefits are ending in about 6 weeks and I've been dreading this moment. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though! I had absolutely no idea about the 599 training program. I've been working in hospitality management for years but honestly the whole industry feels unstable right now. The idea of using unemployment for retraining while getting extended benefits sounds like it could be exactly what I need to make a career change I've been putting off. Going to start researching approved programs tomorrow - hoping there are some business or project management courses available. Also definitely going to start those other assistance applications this week. It's frustrating how complicated the system is but at least there are still some safety nets if you know how to find them. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - makes this whole situation feel way less scary!