How long do you have to collect unemployment benefits in NY - confused about time limits
I'm really confused about the time limits for collecting unemployment in New York. I've been getting different answers from people and I can't find a clear explanation on the NYS Department of Labor website. I lost my job in manufacturing back in October and started filing claims right away. My cousin told me you only get 26 weeks but then my neighbor said it depends on how much you worked before. I'm worried I'm going to run out of benefits before I find something. Can someone explain how long you actually have to collect unemployment? Is there a maximum number of weeks or does it depend on your work history?
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Javier Hernandez
In New York, regular unemployment benefits (UI) last up to 26 weeks maximum. This is based on your benefit year, which starts when you first file your claim. The amount you receive each week depends on your past wages, but the duration is always capped at 26 weeks unless there are special federal extensions in place. Since you filed in October, your benefit year runs until next October, but you can only collect for 26 weeks total during that period.
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Natasha Petrova
•Thanks for clarifying! So even if I find a job for a few weeks and then get laid off again, I can still use the remaining weeks from my original claim?
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Emma Davis
yeah 26 weeks is standard but make sure you keep filing your weekly claims on time or you'll lose benefits. I made that mistake once and had to start over with a whole new application
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LunarLegend
I had a similar situation last year where I couldn't get through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about my remaining weeks. The phone lines are always busy and the online chat never works. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach an agent who could check my account and tell me exactly how many weeks I had left. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to get through on my own.
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Malik Jackson
•Never heard of that service before but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for hours with NYS Department of Labor. Does it actually work?
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Isabella Oliveira
The 26 week thing is such BS though. Other states give you way more time and NY just expects you to find work in 6 months no matter what industry you're in. Manufacturing jobs aren't exactly growing on trees around here and good luck retraining for something else in that timeframe.
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Javier Hernandez
•I understand the frustration, but New York does offer additional programs through Workforce Development if you need retraining. You might want to look into Trade Adjustment Assistance if your job loss was related to imports or WIOA programs for career transitions.
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Ravi Patel
Just to add - the 26 weeks starts from when you first become eligible, not when you file. So if there was any delay in processing your initial claim, that doesn't eat into your 26 weeks. Also make sure you're doing your job search requirements or they can stop your benefits even if you have weeks left.
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Anastasia Sokolov
I went through something similar when I lost my job in retail last year. One thing that really helped me was keeping track of my benefit weeks in a spreadsheet - I wrote down each week I claimed, the amount, and how many weeks I had left. The NYS DOL website has a section in your account where you can see your remaining balance, but sometimes it's not super clear. Also, don't forget that if you do any part-time work while collecting, you need to report it but you might still get partial benefits depending on how much you earn. The key is staying on top of your weekly certifications and keeping good records of your job search activities.
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Eduardo Silva
•That's really smart advice about keeping your own spreadsheet! I've been relying on the DOL website but you're right that it's not always clear. I didn't know about the partial benefits thing either - that could be helpful if I find some temporary work while still looking for something permanent. Do you remember roughly what percentage of your wages you could earn before it affected your weekly benefit amount?
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