How long do NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits last - need to plan ahead
I just started collecting unemployment after getting laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant. This is my first time ever filing for benefits and I'm trying to figure out how long the payments will continue. I know there's a limit but I can't find clear information on the NYS Department of Labor website about exactly how many weeks I can collect. Is it based on how long I worked or how much I earned? I want to make sure I'm prepared and start looking for work with the right timeline in mind. Anyone know the current rules for 2025?
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Giovanni Gallo
In New York, you can collect unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks in most cases. This is your maximum benefit duration regardless of how much you earned. However, you need to meet the weekly job search requirements and continue filing your weekly claims on schedule. The NYS Department of Labor also requires you to be able and available for work each week you claim benefits.
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Amara Adeyemi
•Thanks! So it's definitely 26 weeks max? I was hoping it might be longer since I worked for 8 years at my last job.
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Fatima Al-Mazrouei
yeah its 26 weeks but you have to keep applying for jobs and report it every week or they'll cut you off. also if you turn down any job offers they might disqualify you so be careful about that
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Dylan Wright
The 26-week limit is standard, but there are some exceptions. If you're in a training program approved by NYS Department of Labor, you might be able to extend benefits while in training. Also, during economic emergencies, federal extensions sometimes become available, but there aren't any active right now. Make sure you're doing your job search contacts - it's 3 per week minimum and you need to keep detailed records.
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Amara Adeyemi
•What kind of training programs qualify for extensions? I've been thinking about getting some new certifications.
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Dylan Wright
•It has to be approved workforce development training through NYS Department of Labor or their partner organizations. You can't just pick any random course. Check with your local workforce center for eligible programs.
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NebulaKnight
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and let me tell you, getting through to them on the phone is nearly impossible. If you need to ask questions about your benefits or have any issues with your claim, you'll be on hold forever or get disconnected. I finally found a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to an actual agent - check out claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Sofia Ramirez
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially and can't afford extra fees.
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NebulaKnight
•I was worried about the same thing but it was worth it to actually talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor instead of wasting days trying to get through myself. The peace of mind was huge.
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Dmitry Popov
Wait I thought unemployment was only 20 weeks? Or maybe that was the old rules? I collected back in 2019 and I swear it was different. This whole system changes so much I can never keep track of what's current.
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Giovanni Gallo
•It's been 26 weeks in New York for quite a while now. You might be thinking of a different state or maybe partial benefits which can have different rules.
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Ava Rodriguez
Something to keep in mind - those 26 weeks start from when you first become eligible, not from when you file your claim. So if there are any delays in processing or if you have to go through adjudication, you don't get extra time added to the end. The clock is always ticking once your benefit year begins.
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Amara Adeyemi
•Oh wow, I didn't realize that. My claim is still in adjudication right now. Does that mean I'm losing weeks while they figure it out?
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Ava Rodriguez
•If your claim gets approved, you should receive back pay for the weeks you were eligible but couldn't collect due to adjudication. But your benefit year still has the same end date.
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