How to prepare for the end of unemployment benefits - NYS Department of Labor claim ending soon
My unemployment benefits are going to run out in about 6 weeks and I'm starting to panic. I've been on regular UI for almost 20 weeks now and know I'm approaching the maximum. I'm still actively job searching but haven't found anything yet. What should I be doing to prepare financially? Are there any other programs I might qualify for through NYS Department of Labor? I'm worried about how I'm going to pay rent and bills once my weekly claims stop getting approved.
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Brooklyn Foley
First thing - make sure you understand exactly when your benefits end. Check your my.ny.gov account to see your remaining benefit amount. Start budgeting now based on your last payment date. Look into local food banks, utility assistance programs, and see if you qualify for SNAP benefits. Also double-check that you're meeting all job search requirements since any violations could end benefits early.
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Elijah Knight
•Thanks, I've been doing the 3 job contacts per week but should I be doing more? And where do I find info about other assistance programs?
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Jay Lincoln
Are you doing everything you can to extend your job search? Consider temporary work, gig economy jobs, or part-time positions while you keep looking for full-time work. You can still collect partial unemployment if you're working part-time and earning less than your benefit amount. Also look into workforce development programs - some offer training while you're still collecting.
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Elijah Knight
•I didn't know about partial benefits! How does that work exactly? Do I report the part-time income when I file my weekly claim?
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Jay Lincoln
•Yes, you report any earnings when you certify. NYS Department of Labor will calculate partial benefits based on what you earned that week. It's worth doing even small jobs to bridge the gap.
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Jessica Suarez
I was in the same boat last year. Had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about extensions or other options. Spent hours calling and either got busy signals or got disconnected. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach an agent. They have this demo video (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI) that shows how it works. The agent was able to explain all my options and check if there were any programs I missed.
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Marcus Williams
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially.
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Jessica Suarez
•It was worth it for me to get actual answers instead of guessing. They focus on helping you reach the right person rather than just giving generic info.
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Lily Young
ugh the system is so broken!! why do they make it so hard to get information about what happens when benefits end? they should automatically tell you about other programs instead of making you figure it out yourself
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Kennedy Morrison
•I agree it's frustrating but complaining won't help OP right now. Focus on practical next steps.
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Wesley Hallow
Check if you might qualify for any extended benefits or federal programs. Sometimes there are extensions available depending on the unemployment rate in your area. Also look into local career centers - they often have resources for people transitioning off unemployment including resume help and job placement services.
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