Can I reapply for NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits when my current claim ends?
My unemployment benefits are going to run out in about 3 weeks and I'm wondering if I can apply for a new claim right away? I've been collecting for about 20 weeks now but still haven't found steady work. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before I can file a new claim with NYS Department of Labor? I'm worried about the gap in income if there's a waiting period.
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Zara Rashid
You can file a new claim after your benefit year ends, but there are specific requirements you need to meet. You'll need sufficient wages in your new base period and you must have worked since filing your last claim. NYS Department of Labor will review your work history to determine if you qualify for a new benefit year.
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Sean Doyle
•I did work part-time for about 6 weeks during my claim period. Would that count towards qualifying for a new claim?
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Luca Romano
Just went through this myself last month. You can apply immediately when your benefit year expires, but they'll calculate your new weekly benefit amount based on wages earned in your new base period. If you didn't earn enough during the claim year, your new benefit might be lower or you might not qualify at all.
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Nia Jackson
•What if someone worked cash jobs during their claim? Does NYS Department of Labor count that income even if it wasn't reported on taxes yet?
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Mateo Hernandez
MAKE SURE you report all your work correctly on your weekly claims! I know someone who got in trouble for not reporting part-time work and then tried to use those wages for a new claim. NYS Department of Labor flagged it as fraud.
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CosmicCruiser
The whole system is so confusing. I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about this exact situation but can never get through. Their phone lines are always busy and the website doesn't give clear answers about reapplying.
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Zara Rashid
•I had the same problem reaching them until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to actual NYS Department of Labor agents instead of waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get answers about my claim status.
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Aisha Khan
totally been there! when my benefits ended i was freaking out about money but turned out i could apply right away. just had to wait for the new determination letter to see what my new weekly amount would be
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Ethan Taylor
One thing to remember is that if you don't qualify for a new regular UI claim, you might still be eligible for extended benefits depending on the unemployment rate. But those programs come and go, so check with NYS Department of Labor when you file.
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Sean Doyle
•Good point! I hadn't thought about extended benefits. Are those automatic or do I need to apply separately?
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Emma Bianchi
I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are ending soon too. From what I've researched, you can file immediately when your benefit year ends, but the key thing is whether you've earned enough wages since your last claim started. NYS Department of Labor looks at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. If you only worked part-time or sporadically during your claim, your new benefit amount might be significantly lower. I'd suggest gathering all your wage statements from any work you did during your claim period before you apply - you'll need those to show your earnings.
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Edward McBride
•This is really helpful info, thanks! I've been keeping track of my part-time work but wasn't sure about the base period calculation. Do you know if there's a minimum amount you need to earn during that base period to qualify? I'm worried my 6 weeks of part-time work might not be enough to get a decent benefit amount.
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