How long can a person be on unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I'm trying to figure out the maximum time someone can collect unemployment in New York. My cousin just got laid off from his construction job and he's asking me but I honestly don't know the exact rules. I remember hearing it was 26 weeks but that might have changed? Also does it matter if you've worked for multiple employers or just one? He's been working steady for about 3 years at the same company if that makes a difference. Any help would be appreciated!
15 comments
Join the conversation
Mohammad Khaled
In New York, regular unemployment insurance (UI) provides up to 26 weeks of benefits during a 52-week benefit year. This hasn't changed recently. The amount you receive depends on your earnings history, but the duration is standard at 26 weeks for most people. Your cousin's 3 years of steady work actually helps - that's solid work history for establishing a claim with NYS Department of Labor.
0 coins
Fiona Sand
•Thanks! So it doesn't matter that he only worked for one employer? I thought maybe having multiple jobs would somehow extend it.
0 coins
Alina Rosenthal
wait I thought it was longer than that?? I could have sworn my neighbor was on unemployment for like 8 months last year but maybe that was during covid when things were different
0 coins
Mohammad Khaled
•You're thinking of the pandemic extensions. During COVID there were federal programs that extended benefits beyond the normal 26 weeks, but those ended in 2021. Now we're back to the standard 26-week maximum for regular UI benefits.
0 coins
Finnegan Gunn
The 26 weeks is correct for regular unemployment. However, there are some situations where you might be able to get additional weeks. For example, if New York's unemployment rate triggers Extended Benefits (EB), you could potentially get up to 13 additional weeks. But this rarely happens - the unemployment rate has to be pretty high. Your cousin should focus on the guaranteed 26 weeks and use that time effectively for job searching.
0 coins
Miguel Harvey
•How do you even know if Extended Benefits are available? Does NYS Department of Labor announce it somewhere?
0 coins
Finnegan Gunn
•Yes, NYS Department of Labor would announce it on their website and through the unemployment system if EB becomes available. But like I said, it's rare - hasn't happened in NY for years.
0 coins
Ashley Simian
Just went through this myself after getting laid off in manufacturing. The 26 weeks goes by faster than you think! Make sure your cousin files his weekly claims on time every week and keeps up with the job search requirements. I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim status, but I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me time instead of calling over and over.
0 coins
Oliver Cheng
•Interesting, never heard of that service. Did it actually work to get you connected faster?
0 coins
Ashley Simian
•Yeah it did! I was stuck trying to get through for days about an adjudication issue and this got me connected same day. Worth it when you need answers about your claim.
0 coins
Taylor To
26 weeks is nothing these days with how the job market is. I was unemployed for almost a year and had to figure out other assistance programs after my UI ran out. Tell your cousin to start looking immediately and don't wait around thinking he has plenty of time
0 coins
Fiona Sand
•That's good advice. I'll definitely tell him to start his job search right away even while he's getting the claim set up.
0 coins
Raul Neal
One thing to add - make sure your cousin applies as soon as possible after his layoff. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get paid for that first week. Also, he'll need to have his employer information ready (like his last day of work, reason for separation, etc.) when he files online at labor.ny.gov. The sooner he gets his claim in, the sooner he can start receiving those 26 weeks of benefits. Construction workers often have good wage histories so he should qualify for a decent weekly benefit amount.
0 coins
Abigail Spencer
•Great point about applying right away! I didn't know about the one-week waiting period. That's definitely something I should mention to my cousin. Does he need any specific documents when he applies online, or just the employer information you mentioned?
0 coins
Aisha Mahmood
•He'll need his Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and details about his most recent employment (employer name, address, dates of employment, reason for job separation). It's also helpful to have his pay stubs from the last few weeks and any separation paperwork his employer gave him. The online application at labor.ny.gov will walk him through exactly what information is needed step by step.
0 coins