How long will I receive unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor?

In New York, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks in most cases. The exact duration depends on your base period wages - NYS Department of Labor calculates this using your highest quarter of earnings. You'll need to file weekly claims and meet work search requirements to continue receiving payments. There are no automatic extensions right now unless Congress passes new legislation.

Standard unemployment benefits in New York are 26 weeks maximum. However, the actual duration depends on your work history and earnings during your base period. If you worked consistently for at least 18 months before filing, you'll likely get the full 26 weeks. The NYS Department of Labor calculates this automatically when they process your claim.

i think its 26 weeks but might be less if you didnt work enough... check your determination letter from when you first applied

The 26 weeks is correct for regular UI benefits. There are no federal extensions currently active like there were during COVID. Your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you filed, but you can only collect for a maximum of 26 weeks within that year. Make sure you're doing your required work search activities - you need to document 3 job contacts per week to keep receiving benefits.

The whole system is so confusing! I've been trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks to ask about my benefit duration but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a real person there?

just so you know the 26 weeks goes by FAST especially if you have bills to pay... start looking for work immediately dont wait

yeah its 26 weeks but you gotta do the job search thing every week or they cut you off. i learned that the hard way lol. also if you work part time while collecting they reduce your benefits

You need to complete 3 work search activities each week and keep records. This includes job applications, attending job fairs, networking events, or interviews. NYS Department of Labor can ask for your documentation at any time so keep detailed records. If you're in certain training programs you might be exempt from some requirements.

I had such a hard time reaching NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my benefit duration. The phone lines are always busy and the online chat rarely works. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Finally got my questions answered about my specific situation.

The whole system is so confusing! I've been collecting for 8 weeks now and I still don't really understand how they calculate everything. My neighbor got benefits for longer than 26 weeks but that was during COVID when there were extensions. Now I hear there's nothing extra available.

Just to clarify - the 26 weeks is the standard maximum, but your actual duration might be less depending on your earnings history. NYS Department of Labor looks at your base period wages to determine both your weekly benefit amount and total duration. If you didn't work much in your base period, you might not qualify for the full 26 weeks.