Can I still collect NY unemployment with 0 effective days if my BYE hasn't ended?

once yr effective days hit 0 ur done. doesnt matter if BYE isnt over yet. they give u 26 weeks max and thats it

The previous comment isn't entirely accurate. When you reach 0 effective days, it means you've exhausted your regular UI benefits for this benefit year. However, depending on your situation, you might be eligible for other programs: 1. If you worked during your benefit year and earned enough wages, you might be able to file a new claim after your BYE date. 2. Extended Benefits (EB) might be available if NY's unemployment rate is high enough, though this program isn't currently active. 3. You could check if you qualify for NY's 599 Training program if you're in an approved training/education program. I recommend continuing to certify weekly even with 0 days until your BYE ends, as the system needs to know you're still seeking work if any extensions become available.

I was in this EXACT situation last year!!! It's so frustrating because the website doesn't explain ANYTHING clearly. I kept certifying for like 3 weeks after hitting 0 days and nothing happened. When I finally got through to someone they told me I should've applied for 599 program BEFORE my benefits ran out!!! Now I have to wait until my BYE passes to reapply and I'm so stressed about bills!!!!!

The NYSDOL system is designed to maximize confusion and minimize benefits. They INTENTIONALLY make it hard to understand so fewer people get what they're entitled to. I had the same problem in 2024 and spent WEEKS trying to get an answer.

To clarify some misinformation above, here are the facts about 0 effective days: 1. Once you exhaust your 26 weeks (or whatever you were eligible for), you cannot receive more regular UI benefits until after your BYE date passes and you file a new claim with sufficient work history. 2. The 599 Training program must be applied for within the first 13 weeks of your claim OR within 13 weeks of starting an approved training program. The courses must be state-approved vocational training. 3. For online courses to qualify for 599, they typically need to be part of a certificate or degree program through an accredited institution and be career-focused. 4. There are no federal extensions currently available (unlike during COVID). I recommend calling NYSDOL directly to discuss options specific to your situation. Unfortunately getting through can be difficult.

After dealing with the same frustrating phone situation, I finally used a service called Claimyr to get through to an actual NYSDOL agent. They got me connected in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks on my own. The agent confirmed that once you hit 0 effective days, you need to wait until after your BYE date to file a new claim IF you have enough work history in your base period. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration after my effective days hit zero.

My cousin works for NY unemployment and he says if you call right when they open at 8am Monday the wait is shortest. But even then it's still bad. Also make sure you have a pen to write down the agents ID number when you finally get one!

Update: I used Claimyr and finally got through to an agent! They confirmed I can't get more benefits until my BYE passes, but since I worked part-time during my benefit year, I should qualify for a new claim in March. They also helped me apply for the 599 program for my courses, though they said approval isn't guaranteed. Thanks everyone for your help!

my friend had this same thing happen and he just got a temporary job until his BYE ended then applied again. sometimes thats all u can do with this broken system

Great update Zainab! I'm so happy you got through and have a clear path forward. Your experience shows how important it is to be persistent with this system. For anyone else reading this thread - the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Once you hit 0 effective days, you're done until your BYE passes, 2) If you worked during your benefit year, you may qualify for a new claim, 3) The 599 program needs to be applied for early if you're in qualifying training, and 4) Services like Claimyr can help bypass the phone wait times. Hopefully your 599 application gets approved and you can bridge the gap until March!

As someone who just joined this community, this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening about how complicated the NY unemployment system really is. I'm currently employed but have friends who've struggled with similar issues, and reading through everyone's experiences here gives me so much more understanding of what they've been going through. The fact that the system is so confusing that people need third-party services just to get through on the phone is honestly shocking. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - especially Zainab for updating us on your resolution. This kind of community support and information sharing is exactly what people need when dealing with bureaucratic nightmares like this.

This thread has been such an educational read! I'm relatively new to the workforce and had no idea how complex the unemployment system could be. Reading Zainab's journey from confusion to finally getting answers really demonstrates the importance of persistence and community support. The breakdown of the 599 program, BYE dates, and effective days is information I never knew existed - it's like there's this whole hidden language around unemployment benefits that they don't teach you anywhere. I'm saving this thread as a reference because even though I'm currently employed, the job market is so unpredictable these days. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical information that can make a huge difference when people are already stressed about their financial situation.