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Can I reapply for NY unemployment after maxing out benefits then getting officially terminated?

I was put on furlough back in August 2022 due to company restructuring. I filed for unemployment right away and collected for the maximum period (26 weeks). My last payment was in February 2023. Last week, I got an official termination letter saying my position was permanently eliminated. Can I reapply for NY unemployment now that I've been formally terminated? Or does using up my benefit year make me ineligible? I'm confused because technically this is a new employment situation (furlough → termination). Anyone been through something similar?

Unfortunately if you already received the max benefits within your benefit year, you can't get more until your benefit year ends. Your benefit year would be August 2022 to August 2023, so you'd have to wait until then to file a new claim, and you would need to have worked and earned enough in between to qualify for a new claim.

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Thanks for the info. Do you know if the time I was back at work between furlough periods would count towards the work requirement for a new claim?

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Yes, any work during your benefit year counts toward your next claim. You need to have worked in at least 2 calendar quarters and earned at least 10x your weekly benefit rate.

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This isn't entirely correct. There's actually something called a valid original claim and it depends on if your benefit year has ended. The rules get complicated 🤦‍♀️

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I was in a similar situation. Got stuck in the automated phone system for days. Finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me a callback from an actual human at unemployment who explained my options. I think you might be eligible for a new claim since your employment status changed. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - definitely worth checking out: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Is this for real? Tired of these 'miracle solutions' that never work...

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100% worked for me. I was desperate after 3 weeks of calling. Got through same day with Claimyr and the agent fixed everything.

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Wait does this actually work though? The unemployment ppl never pick up their phones when I call

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Yeah it does! They basically keep calling for you on all the lines and then when someone answers they connect you. Way better than waiting on hold yourself.

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Another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol

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According to the unemployment handbook, in NY you need to have worked and earned wages in 2 calendar quarters in your base period to requalify. Since you were furloughed and not fully terminated until now, you should check if you have enough earnings during your base period to qualify for a new claim.

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I'd call and ask directly. The rules are so confusing and the website is useless. Every time I think I understand how it works I find out I'm wrong lol. Just be prepared to spend 3-4 hours on hold. Or days if your unlucky 🤡

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Bro the holding is the worst. I once waited 5 HOURS only to get disconnected right when someone picked up. I almost threw my phone at the wall 😡

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Try calling right when they open. I got through in 20 mins once doing that.

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I tried that too. Still waited 2 hours. This system is broken beyond repair.

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heres the deal: if your benefit year already ended (meaning your initial claim was more than a year ago) you can file a new claim. But if your benefit year hasnt ended yet, you usually cant get more $ even with termination. UNLESS you worked enough during furlough periods to qualify for a new claim. NY unemployment is so complicated its ridiculous.

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Yep. This is the correct answer. The system is designed to be confusing on purpose I swear.

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There's an important distinction here: if you were partially working during the furlough (reduced hours), you might have different options than if you weren't working at all. Were you doing any work during this period?

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I was working on-and-off when they needed me. Some weeks full time, some weeks nothing at all.

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That's actually good news! Those working periods likely qualify as earnings. You should definitely talk to an agent about this.

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Let me break this down for you based on personal experience and research: In New York, your situation is what's called a "subsequent claim" scenario. Here's what you need to know: 1) If you're within the same benefit year (sounds like you are), you normally can't get additional benefits after exhausting your maximum. 2) HOWEVER, the termination creates a new qualifying circumstance. You should file a new claim immediately. 3) You'll need to show you worked and earned wages in at least two calendar quarters since your original claim. 4) The key is speaking with an actual claims specialist who can review your specific situation - the online system and automated phone lines won't help with complex cases like yours. I strongly recommend using claimyr.com to get a callback from an actual specialist. I was in unemployment limbo for 3 weeks until I used them and got my situation resolved in one call. The NY unemployment system is notoriously difficult to navigate in complex cases, and the call center is perpetually overwhelmed. Don't waste days on hold - get someone who can actually help with your specific case.

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Your basically screwed. I went through the same thing and they told me to kick rocks until my benefit year was over. Sorry man, the system sucks.

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that doesnt sound right, did you talk to a supervisor? Sometimes the first person you talk to doesn't know the rules correctly.

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I wish! Could never get past the first person I talked to. NY unemployment department is so understaffed its a joke.

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If you were furloughed and then officially terminated, that SHOULD count as a new qualifying event but NY is weird about this. You need to file a new claim and then be prepared to explain your situation to an adjudicator. Make sure you have that termination letter handy when you talk to them!

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👆 This! Documentation is so important. Save every email and letter about your employment status.

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I work in HR and can tell you that you CAN file a new claim with the termination letter. The issue will be whether you have enough qualifying wages in your new base period. Since you were working on-off during furlough, make sure you have documentation of all earnings during that time.

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Former DOL employee here: You're dealing with what's called a subsequent claim issue. You need to speak with a claims examiner who can evaluate your particular earnings history and determine if you qualify. Don't trust the website to give you the right answer - it's not built for edge cases like yours.

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How can op even reach a claims examiner? Everytime I call I get some random person who doesn't know anything

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Ask specifically for a tier 2 representative or claims examiner. Be polite but firm that your case requires specialized knowledge.

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had the exact same thing happen to me last year. you have to call and talk to them directly. the website will just auto-reject you. I used claimyr.com to get thru after wasting a week trying to call myself. They got me a callback in a few hours and I got my new claim started.

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how does this claimyr thing work? the DOL never answers their phones

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they basically keep calling for you using their system and when they get someone, they connect you. saved me days of frustration

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Is it expensive? Seems like something that should be free tbh

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considering I got like $4k in backpay that was held up, it was the best investment ever. Way better than spending days calling myself

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This happened to my cousin and here's what he had to do: file a new claim, upload the termination letter, and then request a callback to explain the situation. The system isn't designed to handle this situation automatically but a human rep can sort it out for you.

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Lucy Lam

Have you checked if you're eligible for any extension programs? Sometimes there are state extensions available after regular benefits run out. Worth asking about when you get someone on the phone.

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Extension programs ended a while ago. Those were mainly during covid.

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Zoe Wang

I think ik what ur dealing with. Same thing happened 2 me! U need what they call "re-qualifying wages" - basically u need to have worked enough during the periods between collecting unemployment. If u did ANY work during your furlough, make sure u tell them!

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Yes, I did work sporadically during the furlough period. Some weeks full-time, some nothing at all. So those work periods might help me qualify?

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Zoe Wang

absolutely! make sure u have all ur pay stubs and tell the agent exactly when u worked. that could be the key to getting approved!

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Word of warning: DO NOT just submit online without talking to someone! The system is designed to auto-reject complicated cases. You NEED to talk to an actual human who can look at your specific situation and apply the correct rules.

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💯 truth. The online system is trash for anything slightly complicated.

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my roomate had this EXACT situation and he was able to get benefits again, but only after he got someone on the phone who knew what they were doing. took him like 6 tries cuz some of the phone ppl dont know the rules about furlough vs termination.

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Side question: did your employer give you any severance with the termination? That could affect when you can start collecting again.

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They gave me a 2-week severance package

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OK that's good to mention when you apply. You probably can't collect during those 2 weeks but should be eligible after

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