How long can you use unemployment benefits in NYS - reached week 20 and confused
I've been collecting unemployment since March and I'm getting close to week 20. My friend told me there's a limit but I can't find clear info on the NYS Department of Labor website. Does anyone know exactly how long you can collect UI benefits? I'm still actively job searching but haven't found anything yet. Really worried about what happens when I hit the limit.
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Val Rossi
In New York, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks maximum. You're getting close to that limit. After 26 weeks, your regular UI claim ends unless there are extended benefit programs available, which there currently aren't. Make sure you're using all your weeks wisely and really focus on that job search.
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Romeo Quest
•26 weeks total? So I only have about 6 weeks left? That's not much time to find something. Are there any other programs I can apply for after that?
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Eve Freeman
yeah 26 weeks is the max, been there myself last year. after that you're pretty much on your own unless they bring back extended benefits but dont count on it
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Clarissa Flair
The 26-week limit is firm for regular UI benefits. However, if you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to discuss your options or check if there are any other programs you might qualify for, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Sometimes there are retraining programs or other assistance you might not know about.
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Caden Turner
•Never heard of that service before. Is it legit? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about something else and keep getting disconnected.
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Clarissa Flair
•Yeah it's real, I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.
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McKenzie Shade
The system is SO broken! 26 weeks isn't enough time to find decent work in this economy. They expect you to take any minimum wage job just to get off benefits. Meanwhile they're making it harder and harder to even qualify in the first place!
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Harmony Love
•I feel you on this. The job market is rough right now and 26 weeks goes by fast when you're actually trying to find something good.
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Rudy Cenizo
Wait, are we talking about regular unemployment or standby? Because standby has different rules. I was on standby for my union job and that was different timing.
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Val Rossi
•OP is talking about regular UI benefits, not standby. Standby is for temporary layoffs where you expect to be called back. Regular unemployment is when you're fully separated from your job and actively seeking new work.
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