How to get an unemployment extension after exhausting regular UI benefits?
My regular unemployment benefits are about to run out next week and I'm still looking for work. I've been collecting for 25 weeks now and really need to know how to get an unemployment extension. I've heard there might be options but I'm not sure what's available or how to apply. Has anyone successfully gotten extended benefits recently? The job market is still tough in my field and I'm worried about what happens when my regular UI stops.
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Yuki Yamamoto
In New York, extended benefits (EB) are only available when unemployment rates reach certain thresholds. Currently, EB is not triggered in NY. However, you should check if you qualify for a new regular UI claim if you've worked since your original claim started. You'd need to have earned enough wages in your new base period.
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Ethan Brown
•I haven't worked enough to qualify for a new claim unfortunately. Are there any other options besides EB?
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Carmen Ortiz
same boat here, benefits ending soon and no extension available right now. it's really stressful not knowing what's next
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Andre Rousseau
You should contact NYS Department of Labor directly to discuss your specific situation. Sometimes there are programs or resources they can point you toward even if traditional extensions aren't available. I had luck getting through to an agent using Claimyr.com - they helped me connect when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
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Ethan Brown
•Thanks for the suggestion! I'll check that out. The NYS Department of Labor phone lines are impossible to get through normally.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Never heard of that service but anything that helps get through to DOL is worth trying at this point!
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Jamal Carter
Wait I thought there were always extensions available? This is really confusing. What about PEUC or those other programs?
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Yuki Yamamoto
•PEUC and other pandemic-era programs ended in 2021. Regular state extended benefits (EB) only trigger when unemployment rates are high enough, which they're not right now in NY.
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AstroAdventurer
The whole system is set up to fail people. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find decent work especially in specialized fields. Meanwhile they make it nearly impossible to even talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor about your options.
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Mei Liu
•Totally agree, it's frustrating how little support there is once regular benefits end
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Max Knight
Have you looked into other assistance programs while job searching? Even though UI extensions aren't available right now, you might qualify for SNAP benefits, emergency rental assistance, or job training programs through your local workforce development office. I know it's not the same as unemployment benefits, but it could help bridge the gap. Also worth checking if any local nonprofits or community organizations have emergency assistance funds for people transitioning between jobs.
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Freya Pedersen
•Great advice about looking into other assistance programs! I hadn't thought about SNAP or rental assistance as options. Do you know if there are any specific job training programs in NY that might be particularly helpful for someone who's been out of work for a while? I'm wondering if retraining in a different field might be worth considering at this point.
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