How long does unemployment last in NYC - running out of benefits soon
I've been collecting unemployment for about 22 weeks now and I'm starting to worry about how much longer I have left. I live in NYC and filed my initial claim back in March after getting laid off from my marketing job. The NYS Department of Labor website isn't super clear about the exact duration and I keep seeing different numbers online. Some say 26 weeks, others mention extensions. Can anyone tell me exactly how long unemployment benefits last in New York? I really need to know so I can plan ahead if I'm about to run out.
13 comments
Join the conversation
Carmen Sanchez
In New York, regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits last for a maximum of 26 weeks. This is the standard duration unless there are special federal extensions in place, which there currently aren't. Since you mentioned you've been collecting for 22 weeks, you have about 4 weeks left of regular benefits. You can check your exact remaining benefit amount and weeks by logging into your my.ny.gov account and looking at your claim summary.
0 coins
Yuki Watanabe
•Thank you! That's what I was afraid of. Is there any way to extend beyond the 26 weeks or am I just out of luck after that?
0 coins
Andre Dupont
wait i thought it was longer than that?? ive been on unemployment for like 8 months before covid hit and got extended benefits. are those not available anymore
0 coins
Carmen Sanchez
•You're thinking of the pandemic-era extensions like PEUC and EB that were available during COVID. Those programs ended in 2021. Right now we're back to the standard 26 weeks maximum for regular UI benefits.
0 coins
Zoe Papadakis
The 26 week limit is firm unless Congress passes new federal extension programs. After your regular UI runs out, you might qualify for other programs depending on your situation. If you're in a training program, you could potentially get extended benefits through that. Also make sure you're still doing your job search requirements - you need to be actively looking for work to continue receiving benefits.
0 coins
Yuki Watanabe
•I've been keeping up with the job search log requirements. What kind of training programs offer extended benefits?
0 coins
ThunderBolt7
This is so stressful! I'm in the same boat and trying to figure out what happens when my benefits run out. The job market is still tough and 26 weeks goes by so fast. Has anyone here actually hit the 26 week limit? What did you do after that?
0 coins
Jamal Edwards
•I hit my limit last year and it was rough. Had to rely on savings and side gigs until I found something. There's no automatic extension anymore like there was during the pandemic.
0 coins
Mei Chen
If you're having trouble getting through to the NYS Department of Labor to ask about your specific situation, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach an agent by phone. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. It was really helpful when I needed to clarify some details about my claim status and couldn't get through on my own.
0 coins
Yuki Watanabe
•Interesting, I'll check that out. I've been trying to call for weeks but always get disconnected or put on hold forever.
0 coins
Liam O'Sullivan
just keep filing your weekly claims until they tell you to stop! sometimes the system glitches and you might get a few extra weeks lol
0 coins
Carmen Sanchez
•That's not good advice - if you file for benefits you're not entitled to, you could end up with an overpayment that you'd have to pay back with penalties.
0 coins
Ella Cofer
I went through this exact situation last year. After my 26 weeks ran out, I looked into every option available. There are a few things to consider: 1) Check if you qualify for any state-funded training programs through the One-Stop Career Centers - some offer income support during training. 2) Look into SNAP benefits if you haven't already - they can help with food costs while you continue job searching. 3) Contact local workforce development agencies - they sometimes have emergency assistance programs. 4) Don't forget about utility assistance programs and other safety nets. Start applying for these things now while you still have a few weeks left, as some have waiting periods. The transition is definitely stressful but there are resources out there to help bridge the gap.
0 coins