Can I file a new NY unemployment claim for alternate base period if my BYE was January 2022?
I'm totally confused about whether I can file a new claim. My benefit year ended (BYE) in January 2022. I had worked until January 2021, then filed for UI and received all the weeks I was eligible for. My question is - am I able to file another claim now? I heard something about an alternate base period that might apply to my situation, but when I log into my account, I don't see any option to file a new claim. Is this because I'm not eligible or am I looking in the wrong place? Has anyone gone through this process before?
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Ella Lewis
To be eligible for a new UI claim in NY, you need to have worked and earned wages in at least two calendar quarters since your last claim. Based on what you shared, if you haven't worked since January 2021, you wouldn't qualify for a new regular UI claim regardless of which base period is used. The alternate base period just shifts which quarters are counted, but you still need recent work history.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Thanks for explaining. So even with the alternate base period, I still need to have worked recently? I did pick up some part-time work in the last few months of 2024, but it wasn't much. Would that be enough to qualify?
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Andrew Pinnock
yeah you gotta have NEW work since ur last claim ended. i think its like 10x your weekly benefit rate in wages or something. did u work at ALL since your last claim??
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Hunter Edmunds
•I did work a little bit toward the end of 2024, but it was just part-time - probably not enough to meet that 10x requirement you mentioned. Frustrating!
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Brianna Schmidt
The alternate base period can help if you have recent work history that wouldn't be counted in the standard base period, but as others mentioned, you still need to have worked since your last claim. For a 2025 claim, NY looks at either: - Standard Base Period: The first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply - Alternate Base Period: The last 4 completed calendar quarters before you apply If you only worked until January 2021 and your BYE was January 2022, neither base period would include any work history. However, if you did work in late 2024 as you mentioned, you might qualify depending on how much you earned. To file a new claim when you don't see the option in your account, you may need to call NYSDOL directly at 1-888-209-8124. Their system sometimes doesn't show the option to file a new claim if they think you're not eligible based on their records.
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Hunter Edmunds
•This is super helpful, thank you! I'll try calling them to see if I can start a new claim. Do you know if there's a minimum amount I needed to earn in those quarters to qualify?
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Alexis Renard
Tryd calling that number like 50 times last month and NEVER got thru!! Total waste of time. The phone system is a joke.
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Camila Jordan
•I had the same problem trying to reach NYSDOL! Spent days trying to get through about my claim issues. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Totally worth it for me since I needed to talk to someone about my alternate base period eligibility too. The agent was able to check my work history and tell me exactly what I qualified for.
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Tyler Lefleur
I think your focusing on the wrong thing with the alternate base period. That only matters WHEN you worked, not IF you worked enough. You still need enough work credits since your last claim ended regardless of which base period they use. LOL also the system is DESIGNED to make it hard to file again. They don't want to pay out!
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Madeline Blaze
•That's not entirely accurate. The system isn't designed to make it hard to file again - it's just that unemployment insurance is exactly that: insurance. Like any insurance, you need to meet certain qualifying conditions. In NY, those conditions include having worked enough during your base period AND having earned at least 10x your weekly benefit rate from your previous claim in the period since your BYE date. For the original poster, if you worked part-time in late 2024, you should call and inquire. Sometimes even limited work can qualify you if it meets the threshold requirements.
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Hunter Edmunds
Thank you all for the replies! I think I understand better now. I definitely need to call and speak with someone directly about my specific situation. I worked about 15 hours a week for about 3 months at the end of 2024, but I'm not sure if that's enough to qualify for a new claim.
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Camila Jordan
•Good plan! That's what I had to do - just speaking with someone directly is the only way to get a clear answer about your specific situation. If you try that Claimyr service I mentioned, you'll avoid the frustration of constant busy signals. When I finally got through, the agent was able to calculate exactly what I qualified for based on my work history.
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Andrew Pinnock
btw make sure you have your w2 or paystubs ready when u call!! they asked me for all that stuff and i wasnt prepared lol had to call back
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Hunter Edmunds
•Oh that's a good tip, thank you! I'll gather all my documents before calling.
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Ella Lewis
One more thing to consider: If you don't qualify for regular UI because you don't have enough recent work history, check if you're eligible for any other assistance programs. Depending on your situation, you might qualify for other types of support while you're looking for more stable employment.
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Hunter Edmunds
•That's a good point. Are there specific programs you'd recommend looking into? I'm definitely in need of some assistance while I continue my job search.
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Brianna Schmidt
To answer your question about minimum earnings: for a 2025 claim in NY, you generally need to have: 1. Worked in at least two calendar quarters of your base period 2. Earned at least $3,700 in one of those quarters 3. Total earnings of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings across your entire base period So your part-time work at the end of 2024 might qualify if it meets these thresholds. When you call, ask specifically about whether your recent work history is sufficient for a new claim. And as suggested above, look into other assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) or HEAP (energy assistance) if you're struggling financially while job searching.
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Hunter Edmunds
•Thank you so much for these specific requirements! I don't think I earned $3,700 in any quarter with my part-time work, so it sounds like I probably won't qualify. I'll definitely look into SNAP and HEAP though. I appreciate everyone's help!
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