Can I reapply for NY unemployment after exhausting 26 weeks of benefits?

Unfortunately, you typically can't just reapply for regular NY unemployment after exhausting your 26 weeks. Once you've used your full benefit year entitlement, you need to have worked and earned enough in a new base period to qualify for a new claim. Without new employment since your original claim, you wouldn't be eligible. However, check if you qualify for any of these options: 1. Extended Benefits (EB) - occasionally available during periods of high unemployment (currently not active in NY) 2. Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) - if your job loss was related to foreign trade 3. NY's Shared Work Program - if you can find part-time employment You might want to contact your local NY Career Center for job search assistance and potential training opportunities that could extend support.

Im in the same boat!! my benefits run out in 2 weeks and im panicking. Been applying to jobs everyday but the market sucks right now. Feels like 2025 is worse than ever for finding work especially in my field (marketing). what happens when the 26 weeks end? Does the UI account just shut down or what??

when i ran out of my 26 weeks last year, i just applied for snap benefits and medicaid to help while i kept looking. not ideal but better than nothing. have you tried looking into those?

The 26-week limit is pretty much set in stone right now in NY. What most people don't realize is that you need to have worked and earned enough in a NEW base period to qualify for a new claim. Without new work, you won't be eligible to just "reapply." I hit this same wall a few months ago and was desperate to talk to someone at NYSDOL. Calling was impossible - always disconnected or 3+ hour waits. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have this callback service that somehow gets you past the phone system. There's a demo video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent I spoke with confirmed I wasn't eligible for a new claim but helped me find workforce development programs I hadn't known about. Some of those programs include small stipends while you train. Worth looking into.

@anxious_job_seeker It definitely worked for me. I was skeptical too, but I was at my wit's end after trying to call for 2 weeks straight. They don't schedule the appointment for you - they just get you past the phone tree and into the queue for a callback. Agent called me back within 25 minutes.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FAIL PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST!!! I exhausted my benefits in January and it's been HELL trying to survive. They expect us to magically find jobs in this economy?? The 26 week limit is ARBITRARY and CRUEL. Why can't they extend benefits when unemployment is high? Other states do it!!! And good luck getting any actual HELP from NYSDOL - they don't care once your benefits run out. You're on your own. This is why people end up homeless!!!!

my cousin had this happen and she just moved to NJ and applied there lol. not sure if that's legit but she got approved somehow

To directly answer your question: No, you cannot simply reapply for benefits after exhausting 26 weeks without having worked in between claims. New York State currently does not have any active benefit extensions for 2025. What you need to know: 1. Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you first applied, but the maximum payable weeks is 26 within that period. 2. To qualify for a new claim, you need to have worked after the beginning date of your current claim AND earned at least 10× your weekly benefit rate in covered employment. 3. If you find part-time work but it's not enough, you may qualify for partial benefits if you earn under a certain threshold. I recommend contacting your local Workforce Development Center. They can help with job placement, training opportunities, and connect you with other assistance programs like SNAP or HEAP that might help bridge the gap until you find work.

have u tried looking into gig work while ur searching? might not be ideal but door dash, uber, etc can at least bring in something while ur looking. my bf did that after his 26 weeks ran out last month

One thing that might help - if you find even part-time or temporary work after your benefits end, and then lose that job through no fault of your own, you might qualify for a new UI claim if you earned enough. Sometimes even a few months of new work can establish eligibility for a new claim when you need it later. Also, make sure you're taking advantage of all the free job search help through NY Career Centers. They offer resume help, interview coaching, and sometimes have connections to employers that you won't find on job boards. Worth checking out!

Just want to give you a heads up - when my benefits ran out in February, I found out later I could have applied for the 599 Training Program BEFORE my benefits ended. It lets you get training/education while extending benefits, but you have to apply before you exhaust your regular UI. Nobody told me this until it was too late. Maybe look into that if you have any time left?