Can I still apply for retroactive pandemic unemployment benefits from AOC's 2021 bill that covered Sept-Feb?
So I just saw something about AOC proposing a bill back in September 2021 to extend the pandemic unemployment insurance through February 2022, and making payments retroactive to Sept 6, 2021. Specifically, I found a tweet from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) from 12:44 PM on 9/16/21 posted via Twitter Web App that said: "We're introducing a bill to extend all federal pandemic unemployment insurance through Feb. 1. Benefits would be retroactive to Sep. 6. We can't let pandemic unemployment assistance lapse when we're still recovering from the cost effects of the pandemic." The tweet included a link to an article on bnnbloomberg.ca titled "Ocasio-Cortez Prepares Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits -..." and had 293 Retweets, 58 Quote Tweets, and 1,280 Likes. I was laid off in August 2021 and couldn't find a job until December. I applied for regular unemployment but got denied because I didn't have enough work history with my last employer (only worked there for 4 months). I had no idea there were special pandemic programs I could've qualified for. Is there any way I can still claim those retroactive benefits now? The tweet specifically mentioned that "Benefits would be retroactive to Sep. 6" which would cover exactly the period when I was unemployed. I'm struggling financially and that money would help me catch up on bills I fell behind on. Has anyone successfully filed for retroactive benefits from 2021 recently? The article mentioned the benefits would be retroactive if approved, but I can't find any updates on whether the bill passed or not. Did AOC's effort to extend "all federal pandemic unemployment insurance through Feb. 1" actually become law?
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Lorenzo McCormick
Sorry to tell you but those extended benefits never got approved. That bill died in the Senate. All the pandemic unemployment programs completely ended in september 2021. There's no way to get retroactive benefits from those programs now. Your best bet is to try applying for regular unemployment again if you've lost a job recently. The work requirements are different now.
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Ayla Kumar
•ugh that sucks. I was hoping there was still a chance. I'm actually employed now but just trying to recover financially from that gap period. Thanks for letting me know.
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Carmella Popescu
•Yeah the Senate killed a lot of those bills. Really screwed over millions of ppl who needed help 🤡
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Kai Santiago
•wait tho I thought there was a way to backdate claims if you had a valid reason for not filing? I swear my cousin did this.
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Lim Wong
After dealing with similar frustrating issues (couldn't reach anyone for WEEKS), I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual human at NY unemployment. It was worth every penny - got my claim sorted in one call instead of endless busy signals. They basically call for you and when they get through, they connect you. Here's more info: claimyr.com - there's also a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Dananyl Lear
•This sounds like an advertisement. Does this actually work? I've tried calling hundreds of times.
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Lim Wong
•100% worked for me! I was skeptical too at first but I was desperate after trying for 3 weeks straight. The agent I talked to fixed my issue in literally 10 minutes. Talking to a human makes all the difference.
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Noah huntAce420
•Idk seems sus to me... why would I pay for something the government should provide for free?
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Lim Wong
•Look at it this way - how much is your time worth? I spent hours trying to get through myself. When I finally connected through their service and got my benefits, it was the best decision I made. You do you though! 🤷♀️
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Ana Rusula
•I used them last month when my claim got stuck in pending. Definitely beats calling 200 times a day for weeks.
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Fidel Carson
Unfortunately the bill you're referring to never passed, so there's no retroactive pandemic benefits available anymore. All those special pandemic programs ended for good in September 2021. At this point, ny unemployment is back to normal pre-pandemic rules.
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Isaiah Sanders
I went through something similar and spent HOURS researching this. Here's what I learned: The pandemic unemployment programs (FPUC, PUA, PEUC, etc) all expired in September 2021. AOC and some others tried to extend them but the bill never passed. There is NO WAY to claim retroactive pandemic benefits now in 2023. The systems are completely closed for those programs. However! If you think you were wrongfully denied regular unemployment in 2021, you might still be able to appeal that decision or file a backdated claim for regular (not pandemic) benefits. There's a limited timeframe though. Your best bet is to actually speak with a NY unemployment representative. They're impossible to reach by phone unless you use a service like claimyr.com (which is what I ended up doing after weeks of failed calls). The rep can tell you if you have any options for your specific situation. But honestly, don't get your hopes up about those pandemic benefits - that ship has sadly sailed.
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Ayla Kumar
•Thanks for such a detailed response! I'll check if I can appeal my original denial. Do you know what the timeframe is for filing an appeal?
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Isaiah Sanders
•I believe it's 30 days from the determination notice, BUT there are exceptions if you can show good cause for a late appeal. Definitely worth asking about when you talk to a rep!
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Xan Dae
•this is why I stay on this forum, people actually trying to help instead of just saying "you're screwed" lol
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Fiona Gallagher
the govt doesnt care about us little ppl...they do these big announcements to look good but then quietly let everything die. i was counting on those extended benefits too and got completely screwed. been living on credit cards ever since 😭
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Thais Soares
•Preach!! They tell us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps but don't even give us boots 🤮
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Nalani Liu
•same boat here...still trying to dig out of the hole from 2021
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Axel Bourke
Listen, I know this sucks but theres NOTHING you can do about pandemic benefits now. They're completely gone and not coming back. I worked for a company that helped people with unemployment claims, and I can tell you 100% that system is closed forever. Focus on what you CAN do now - like checking if you qualify for SNAP, rental assistance, or other current programs.
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Ayla Kumar
•Thanks for being straight with me. Are there any current assistance programs you'd recommend looking into besides SNAP?
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Axel Bourke
•Check out your county's Emergency Rental Assistance Program if you're behind on rent. Also look into HEAP for utility bills, and see if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program for internet discount. NY has decent support programs if you know where to look.
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Aidan Percy
Everyone saying its impossible is mostly right BUT there is one tiny exception - if you had an open claim that was incorrectly processed or denied during that period, and you've been actively appealing it this whole time, then you MIGHT have a case. But that's super rare and doesn't sound like your situation.
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Fernanda Marquez
If you still need to talk to someone at ny unemployment about other options, good luck reaching them lol 😂 Took me literally 378 calls over 3 weeks before I got through. Their phone system is a joke.
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Norman Fraser
•Try using claimyr.com - they'll call for you and connect you when they get a human. Saved my sanity forreal.
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Fernanda Marquez
•Never heard of it but anything's better than what I went thru! Will check it out next time.
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Kendrick Webb
call your state representative! seriously! I had an issue with my claim and couldnt get anywhere with NY unemployment until I contacted my assembly members office. They have special liaisons that can help with this stuff and cut through the red tape.
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Hattie Carson
•👆 This is the real pro tip! State reps can do more in one email than we can do in months of calling.
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Destiny Bryant
What sucks is that you probably would have qualified for PUA back then even with limited work history. But yeah, that's all completely finished now unfortunately. Sorry you missed out on that...the whole system was confusing AF and lots of people didn't know what they qualified for.
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Dyllan Nantx
I LITERALLY JUST DEALT WITH THIS EXACT THING. I spent weeks trying to see if there was any way to get retroactive pandemic benefits. The final answer I got from a supervisor at NY unemployment (after finally reaching someone thru claimyr.com) was a definite NO - there is absolutely no way to apply for or receive any pandemic-related unemployment benefits now. Those programs are completely closed and there's no appeals process to get retroactive payments from them now.
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Ayla Kumar
•That's really disappointing but I appreciate the definitive answer. Seems like everyone's saying the same thing.
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TillyCombatwarrior
Bro they cant even handle current claims correctly you think theyre gonna give you money from 2 years ago? 💀
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Anna Xian
•harsh but true lmaooo 🤣
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Jungleboo Soletrain
Have you tried looking into other types of assistance? Maybe you qualify for something else? NY has rental assistance, utility help, food stamps, etc. Worth checking out at least.
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