How to reapply for unemployment after 26 weeks - NYS Department of Labor guidance needed

Unfortunately, once you've exhausted your 26 weeks of regular UI benefits in New York, there are no automatic extensions available anymore. The federal programs like PEUC that provided additional weeks ended in 2021. You would need to file a completely new unemployment claim, but there's a catch - you need to have worked and earned sufficient wages since your last benefit year began to establish a new claim. NYS Department of Labor requires you to have earned at least 10 times your weekly benefit rate in covered employment since your benefit year started.

same boat here, benefits ended 3 weeks ago and trying to figure out next steps... have you looked into other assistance programs while job hunting? might have to explore food stamps or medicaid if unemployment isnt an option

You should still attempt to file a new claim through the my.ny.gov portal to see if you qualify. Even if you don't have enough recent wages for regular UI, NYS Department of Labor will review your work history. Sometimes people qualify for a reduced benefit amount or there might be other options available. The worst they can do is say no, but you won't know unless you try the online application process. Make sure you have your Social Security card and employment records from the past 18 months ready.

I was in a similar situation last year and had to get creative about reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to understand my options. The phone lines are absolutely impossible - I must have tried calling hundreds of times. Eventually I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to speak with an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Cost me way less than I expected and I finally got clear answers about whether I could file a new claim. Turned out I did qualify for a small weekly amount based on some part-time work I'd forgotten about.

The whole system is so frustrating!! I exhausted my benefits in March and have been struggling ever since. Applied for probably 500 jobs at this point and still nothing. Meanwhile rent and bills don't stop coming. Really wish they would bring back some kind of extended benefits program for long-term unemployed people who are actually trying.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - exhausted my benefits in April and the job search has been brutal. One thing that helped me was reaching out to the local One-Stop Career Center (you can find yours at https://www.ny.gov/services/find-job-training-program). They have free job search assistance, resume help, and sometimes know about training programs that might make you eligible for benefits while you're learning new skills. Also check if you qualify for any trade adjustment assistance programs if your job loss was related to imports/trade - those can sometimes provide extended benefits and retraining. It's not unemployment but it's something. Hang in there, the hospitality industry is slowly recovering but I know it's tough right now.