Can I reapply for NY unemployment after benefits ran out?
I finished receiving my last unemployment payment in August 2023 after being on it for the full 26 weeks. My former employer went through a major downsizing back in February and I haven't been able to find steady work since. I've had a couple of temporary gigs but nothing permanent. My question is - can I reapply for unemployment again even though I used up all my benefits already? I'm still actively looking for work every week (sending out applications, going to interviews) but the job market is brutal right now in my field. Has anyone successfully reapplied after exhausting benefits? Or do I need to wait until a certain amount of time has passed? I tried calling the ny unemployment office but I can never get through to a real person.
57 comments
Emma Davis
You need to have worked and earned enough in a base period since you last claimed. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply. So if you haven't worked much since your last claim, you probably wont qualify for a new claim. You need to have earnings in at least 2 calendar quarters, and a minimum amount of total earnings.
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Javier Torres
Thanks for the info. I've only had about 6 weeks of work total since February. Guess I'm out of luck for now 😔
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CosmicCaptain
This is correct but to add to this you need at least $2750 in your highest quarter of the base period to qualify. I found that out the hard way
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Malik Johnson
Yep, plus you need 1.5x your highest quarter across your entire base period, with at least some work in 2 quarters. The system is designed to make sure you've been consistently working.
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Isabella Ferreira
I was in the exact same situation last yr and couldn't get answers online. I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected with an actual agent (https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE). Talking to an agent got my situation sorted in like 15 minutes - turns out I didn't qualify for a new claim BUT they told me about some other assistance programs I could apply for. Worth every penny to finally get a clear answer instead of the constant busy signals.
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Ravi Sharma
hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different? The unemployment office is impossible to reach tho 🤔
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Isabella Ferreira
It's not like other services - they don't file anything for you or make promises about getting you benefits. They literally just solve the phone problem by waiting on hold so you don't have to. When an agent picks up, they connect the call to your phone. That's it.
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Freya Thomsen
another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol
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Omar Zaki
I actually used this too! Got through to someone in like 45 mins when I had been trying for WEEKS on my own. Sometimes you just need a human to look at your specific situation.
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Isabella Ferreira
Exactly! The website and automated systems don't handle unique situations well. An actual agent told me about options I had no idea existed.
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AstroAce
You technically have to have worked and earned enough wages since your last claim started. From what I understand, if you've only had temp work for a few weeks, you probably won't qualify for a new claim right now. The system is designed to make sure you've returned to work consistently before you can claim again.
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Chloe Martin
The short answer is NO if you haven't worked enough since your last claim. But the longer answer is MAYBE if you've worked enough quarters with enough earnings. NY unemployment requires earnings in at least two quarters with minimum thresholds.
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Javier Torres
Thanks for this. Do you know if the two quarters of work have to be consecutive? I worked for about 3 weeks in April and then another 3 weeks in July.
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Chloe Martin
They don't have to be consecutive, but your total earnings probably need to be higher. Those 6 weeks might not cut it unless you made really good money. Worth applying anyway tho, worst they can say is no.
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Diego Rojas
Listen, the whole system is rigged against us. They make it impossible to get through on the phone, they use confusing language about "base periods" and "alternate base periods" and then deny half the claims anyway. I've been fighting with ny unemployment for MONTHS. The best advice I can give: document EVERYTHING, appeal EVERYTHING, and be prepared to wait.
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Anastasia Sokolov
THIS!!!! 💯 And they'll find any tiny mistake to deny you. I put the wrong end date for a job (off by ONE day) and they denied my whole claim. Had to appeal and wait 8 more weeks.
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Sean O'Donnell
yep total nightmare. and then they act like we're the criminals when we're just trying to access the benefits we paid into.
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Diego Rojas
Exactly! And don't even get me started on how they expect us to live on the max benefit which hasn't been adjusted for inflation in forever 🤮
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Zara Ahmed
Here's what you need to know about reapplying for unemployment in New York after exhausting benefits: 1) You need to have worked and earned wages in at least 2 calendar quarters since your last claim began 2) Your highest quarter needs to have earnings of at least $2,600 (or very close to this amount) 3) Your total base period wages need to be at least 1.5x your highest quarter 4) You need to have worked in what NYS considers your "base period" (either the first 4 of last 5 completed calendar quarters OR alternate base period which is the 4 most recently completed quarters) If you've only had temporary work for a few weeks since your last claim, you almost certainly won't qualify for a new claim yet. However, there might be other assistance programs you qualify for. The absolute best thing you can do is speak to an actual agent who can review your specific situation. Since it's nearly impossible to get through on the phone lines, I used claimyr.com which got me connected to an agent after they waited on hold for me. It was the only way I could get accurate information about my specific situation rather than general answers online. The agent was able to tell me exactly what I needed to qualify for a new claim based on my work history.
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Javier Torres
This is super helpful, thank you. I definitely don't have enough earnings based on those requirements. Did the agent mention any other assistance programs?
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Zara Ahmed
Yes! Depending on your situation, they might point you to: - SNAP benefits (food assistance) - HEAP (energy assistance program) - Workforce1 Career Centers for job search help - 599 Training program (if you want to train for a new career) Def worth talking to an agent to see what applies to you specifically.
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StarStrider
Just FYI the ny unemployment website is currently glitchy af and giving people weird error messages when they try to certify or check on claims. Might want to wait a few days before trying to submit anything new.
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Luca Esposito
I'm in almost the same boat except I exhausted benefits in July. I've tried reapplying twice and got denied both times because I haven't earned enough since my last claim. It's such a catch-22... can't find work, can't get unemployment because I can't find work 🙃
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Javier Torres
Ugh that's exactly what I'm worried about. Have you found any other resources or assistance in the meantime?
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Luca Esposito
I've applied for SNAP which helps with food at least. Also check local food banks and community action agencies - some have emergency rent assistance. Good luck!
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Nia Thompson
Try 211! They can connect you with other resources since unemployment is likely a no-go until you have more work quarters. There's rental assistance, utility help, food pantries, etc depending on your needs.
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Mateo Rodriguez
you should still apply anyway!! worst case they say no, best case you get approved. the online system never tells the whole story and sometimes you get lucky.
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Aisha Abdullah
Terrible advice. Filing when you know you don't qualify can flag your account and cause problems with future legitimate claims.
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Mateo Rodriguez
thats not true at all. they review each application on its own merits. filing a claim that gets denied doesn't "flag" anything for future claims.
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Ethan Wilson
actually you're both wrong lol. filing won't hurt future claims BUT it's a waste of time if you clearly don't meet the earnings requirements.
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NeonNova
Does anyone know how long you have to wait after exhausting benefits before you can apply again? Is there a specific timeframe?
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Yuki Tanaka
There's no set timeframe - it's entirely based on your work/earnings since your last claim started. You could theoretically apply the day after your benefits exhaust if you somehow had enough qualifying work quarters.
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NeonNova
Thanks for clarifying! The whole system is so confusing.
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Carmen Diaz
Check if you qualify for 599 Training! If you enroll in an approved training program, you might be able to receive additional benefits. Worth looking into if you're thinking about changing careers anyway.
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Andre Laurent
I worked at NYSDOL for 3 years (quit last year). Here's the inside scoop: you need to have worked enough quarters with enough earnings since your BENEFIT YEAR began (not when it ended). Most people don't realize this distinction. Even if you exhausted benefits 6 months ago, if your benefit year hasn't ended yet, a new application will be denied. Wait until your benefit year is fully over, THEN apply if you have enough work history.
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Javier Torres
Wow this is super helpful insider info. How do I know when my benefit year officially ends?
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Andre Laurent
Your benefit year ends exactly 52 weeks after you initially applied. So if you first applied on Feb 15, 2023, your benefit year ends Feb 14, 2024. You can call and confirm this - use claimyr.com to avoid the wait times.
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Emily Jackson
This is the exact info I needed! My benefit year technically isn't over for another month even though my payments ran out in June.
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Liam Mendez
u should apply for PUA instead of regular unemployment
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Sophia Nguyen
PUA ended years ago, it was only for the pandemic. Not an option anymore.
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Liam Mendez
oh for real? i had no idea. that sucks man.
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Jacob Smithson
The NY job market is BRUTAL right now. I've been looking for 4 months with an MBA and tons of experience. Hundreds of applications, maybe 5 interviews, zero offers. The unemployment system needs to adjust to current realities.
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Isabella Brown
Same experience here. Applied to 200+ jobs since September. Got 3 interviews, no offers. Everyone wants 5 years experience for entry level pay 🤦♀️
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Maya Patel
yup, plus every job posting gets like 500+ applicants now. And then companies have the nerve to say "nObOdY wAnTs To WoRk" 🙄
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Aiden Rodríguez
hav you considered moving to a different state? NY unemployment system is one of the worst. My cousin moved to NJ and said the whole process was wayyyyy easier.
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Emma Garcia
In my experience, if you call enough times eventually you'll get through to someone who can help. You just need to be persistent and keep trying different times of day. Early morning (right when they open) or late afternoon (an hour before closing) tend to have shorter wait times.
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Ava Kim
Lol I tried calling 37 times in one day last month and never got through. "Just keep calling" isn't realistic advice for most people.
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Emma Garcia
fair enough. guess i just got lucky then 🤷♂️
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Ethan Anderson
Calling nonstop is ridiculous when services like claimyr.com exist. Worth every penny to not waste an entire day hitting redial.
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Layla Mendes
not trying to be that guy, but have you considered gig work while you're looking for something permanent? doordash, uber, taskrabbit, etc. might help you rack up enough earnings to qualify for a new claim while also bringing in some income.
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Javier Torres
I've actually been doing some TaskRabbit gigs but the earnings are super inconsistent. Good idea about tracking those hours though - might help me reach the minimum for a new claim eventually.
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Lucas Notre-Dame
This is why we need to reform the whole unemployment system! It's designed for an economy that doesn't exist anymore where people have stable long-term jobs. The gig economy and contract work don't fit neatly into their outdated frameworks.
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Aria Park
I was in your exact situation last yr... exhausted benefits, couldn't find work, thought I was screwed. I ONLY found a solution by talking to an actual human at unemployment. Obviously impossible to get through on phone but I used claimyr.com which was clutch. Agent helped me understand exactly what I needed to qualify again and suggested other programs in the meantime. Best money I spent all year tbh.
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Noah Ali
sounds like one of those ads that pops up everywhere. anyone ACTUALLY try this who isn't being paid to promote it? 🧐
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Chloe Boulanger
I used it when my account got locked for no reason. It works exactly as advertised - they wait on hold and call you when an agent picks up. Saved me from a 4+ hour hold time.
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James Martinez
not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work
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Aria Park
It's not a hack lol. They literally just wait on hold for you. The agents are the same ones you'd talk to anyway. You're still dealing directly with unemployment.
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