Can I reapply for NY unemployment benefits before my BYE date while on maternity leave?

First, congratulations on your new baby! To answer your question - you can't really "reapply" before your BYE date, but you might be able to get an extension or additional benefits depending on your specific situation. Have you used all 26 weeks of regular UI benefits? If yes, you'd normally need to wait until your BYE date to establish a new claim. However, since you're on maternity leave, you might qualify for NY Paid Family Leave instead of regular unemployment. That's actually a separate program with different rules.

you dont reapply until BYE date!! i tried doing that last year and they said i had to wait. but check if u qualify for paid leave like the other person said. thats different

No, NY Paid Family Leave is handled through a different system. You would apply through your employer or their insurance carrier, not through NYSDOL. PFL can provide up to 12 weeks of benefits at 67% of your average weekly wage (up to a cap). But there's a catch - you need to have been employed and paying into the PFL system before your leave. If you weren't eligible for PFL when you started your maternity leave, unfortunately you'll likely need to wait until your BYE date to file a new UI claim. When that happens, NYSDOL will determine if you've worked enough quarters to qualify for a new benefit year.

I was in this EXACT situation last year! So frustrating trying to figure it out with a newborn crying all the time. If you've exhausted your 26 weeks, you definitely have to wait until your BYE date to file a new claim. I tried calling for days and couldn't get through either. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual NYSDOL agent within 20 minutes. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. The agent confirmed I had to wait until my BYE date but also told me about some emergency assistance programs I qualified for in the meantime. Worth checking out if you need to speak to someone urgently.

No problem! They just need your phone number to call you back when they connect you to NYSDOL. The agent told me about emergency assistance through DSS/HRA and suggested I apply for SNAP benefits to help with food costs during the gap. Definitely ask about those programs when you get through.

OMG the NYSDOL phone system is THE WORST!!!! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get through before I gave up and just went to the office in person (which was a whole other nightmare). The system is DESIGNED to keep you from talking to anyone!!!! It's so frustrating when you have bills to pay and they make it impossible to get simple questions answered!!!

To directly answer your question: No, you cannot reapply for regular UI benefits until your BYE date in May 2025. The system literally won't let you create a new claim until then. However, I recommend checking if you might qualify for any of these alternatives: 1. NY Paid Family Leave (if you were paying into it before leave) 2. Extended UI benefits (if currently available in NY - check NYSDOL website) 3. SNAP benefits to help with food costs 4. Emergency assistance through your local DSS office 5. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if you meet income requirements Also, when your BYE date arrives, make sure you've worked enough during your base period to qualify for a new claim. You need to have worked and earned wages in at least two calendar quarters.

So I had a baby in 2024 and my situation was a bit different but might be helpful. I had to piece together benefits from different programs. If your employer has more than 50 employees, you might also be covered under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). That doesn't provide payment but protects your job. Also check with your employer if they have Short Term Disability insurance - many pregnancies qualify under STD policies. It's typically only 50-60% of your salary but better than nothing. The gap between benefits is tough. I ended up taking a part-time remote job I could do while baby was sleeping just to have some income coming in.

my cousin just had a baby and she got food stamps and WIC to help out. you should apply like now cuz it takes time to get approved

One more thing to consider - when you do reach your BYE date in May, apply for your new claim immediately. There's often a 1-2 week waiting period before benefits start on a new claim. And make sure you have all your employment information ready, including any work you did right before your maternity leave started. The more prepared you are, the faster they can process your new claim.

this happened to my sister to. she said to make sure you check youre UI payment history and count the weeks careful. sometimes people think they used all 26 weeks but actually havent yet. worth double checking!

Did you manage to get through to NYSDOL yet? I'm curious what they told you about your situation. When I finally got through using Claimyr, they were actually really helpful and explained everything clearly. Let us know what happened!