How long can u collect unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?
hey everyone im new to this whole unemployment thing and honestly have no idea what im doing. just got laid off from my warehouse job last month and filed my claim with NYS Department of Labor. everything seems to be going ok so far but i keep wondering how long i can actually collect these benefits? i heard different things from different people - some say 6 months others say a year. does anyone know the real answer? also do i need to keep looking for work the whole time or can i take a break for a few weeks to figure things out?
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Andre Lefebvre
In New York, regular unemployment benefits last for 26 weeks maximum. This is your standard UI benefit duration. You'll need to file weekly claims every week and yes, you absolutely must be actively searching for work during this entire period. The NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a detailed log of your search activities. You can't take a break from job searching - that would make you ineligible for benefits.
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Carmen Ruiz
•oh wow 3 job contacts per week? thats more than i expected. do they actually check this stuff?
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Andre Lefebvre
•Yes, they do check. You need to keep records of every job contact including company name, contact person, date, and method of contact. NYS Department of Labor can request this information at any time during your claim period.
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Zoe Dimitriou
The 26 weeks is correct but there are some exceptions depending on the unemployment rate. During high unemployment periods, extended benefits might be available but that's not common. Also make sure you're filing your weekly claims on time - if you miss a week you could lose that week's payment permanently.
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QuantumQuest
•I made that mistake early on and missed filing one week. Tried calling NYS Department of Labor to fix it but couldn't get through to anyone. The automated system just kept hanging up on me after being on hold for over an hour.
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Jamal Anderson
•That's super frustrating! I had similar issues trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when my claim got stuck in adjudication. I ended up using claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress compared to calling myself.
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Mei Zhang
UGH the job search requirement is such BS!!! Like im already stressed about being unemployed and they want me to waste time applying to jobs that probably wont even call me back. The whole system is designed to make you give up. 26 weeks goes by FAST when youre actually trying to find decent work not just any minimum wage garbage.
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Liam McGuire
•I feel you on this. The job search thing is annoying but honestly just apply to anything that remotely fits your background. You don't have to take a job if they offer it, you just need to show you're looking.
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Amara Eze
wait so its definitely 26 weeks? my cousin in california said she got like 30 weeks or something. also what happens after the 26 weeks are up - do you just get cut off completely?
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Andre Lefebvre
•Every state has different rules. New York is 26 weeks for regular UI. After that, you'd need to requalify by working and earning enough wages to establish a new benefit year, or look into other programs like SNAP if you're still unemployed.
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