NY unemployment benefits ending - struggling to find job and afford food

Have you contacted NY Dept of Labor about an extension? Sometimes they offer them depending on economic conditions and your specific situation. Also check if you qualify for SNAP benefits - many people don't realize they can get unemployment AND food assistance at the same time. Don't wait until your benefits run out to apply for other assistance. For food specifically, look into community fridges in your area. They're usually easier to access than formal food pantries. Also download the Too Good To Go app - lots of restaurants and grocery stores offer heavily discounted food that would otherwise be thrown away.

same boat here, been 4 months looking for work. i started doing instacart and doordash just to get some money coming in. not great but better than nothing.

Have u tried the dollar store for food? Thats where I shop now, u can get canned stuff and pasta super cheap.

I've been in this exact situation twice before. The system is totally broken - they give you just enough unemployment to barely survive and then cut you off when there still aren't jobs! Here's what I did that actually helped: 1. I called the NY unemployment office DAILY trying to speak to someone about extensions and additional programs. It was impossible to get through until I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that gets you through to an actual person. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE 2. Applied for every assistance program possible - SNAP, HEAP for utilities, emergency rental assistance 3. Reached out to every contact I had for job leads - old coworkers, LinkedIn connections, everyone 4. Took a part-time job at a grocery store just to have SOME income while still looking for a real job Don't give up, but also don't wait for the system to help you. You have to be super aggressive now before your benefits run out.

my benefits ran out in January and i STILL havent found full time work!! its been awful. ive been doing odd jobs on craigslist and nextdoor. mostly helping people move, yard work, that kind of thing. pays cash and is better than nothing

I work with the Workforce Development program in NY, and I'd highly recommend visiting your local career center ASAP. Many people don't realize these centers offer free job training, resume help, and direct connections to employers who are actively hiring. They also have dedicated staff who can help you navigate benefit extensions and transitional assistance programs. For your food situation specifically, call 211 - they can connect you with food resources beyond just the major food pantries. Many community and faith organizations offer meal assistance that doesn't have the long lines you're experiencing. Lastly, now is the time to alert your landlord or mortgage company about your situation. There are hardship programs available, but they typically require you to notify them BEFORE you miss payments.

I don't want to sound negative, but the job market in NY right now is TERRIBLE. I sent out over 200 applications before finding something, and it pays 25% less than my previous job. The system is broken. They keep saying unemployment is low but they're not counting all the people who've given up or who are working part-time because they can't find full-time. My honest advice? If you can relocate to another state, consider it. I have friends in North Carolina and Texas who found jobs within weeks. NY is just brutal right now with all the layoffs and hiring freezes.

try walmart they always hiring

One thing I learned during my unemployment period last year - tell EVERYONE you're looking for work. I ended up getting a job through my neighbor's cousin who I mentioned it to at a block party. The best opportunities often aren't posted online. Also, many libraries now have social workers who can help connect you with resources specific to your situation. They often know about community-specific assistance that isn't widely advertised. For food specifically, ethnic grocery stores are often MUCH cheaper than even discount chains for things like rice, beans, and vegetables. I was able to cut my food budget in half by shopping at local Asian and Hispanic markets.

After my benefits ran out in 2025, I struggled for about 2 months before finding work. What helped most was shifting my job search strategy. Instead of applying for jobs at my previous level, I took a step down and found something quickly. It was a pay cut, but I've already been promoted once and am almost back to my previous salary. Sometimes you need to reset expectations in this market. Also, I used Claimyr to reach unemployment when I needed to discuss extending my benefits. It was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of waiting forever on hold.

The whole system is designed to fail us! I was on unemployment last year and the day after my benefits expired, they announced a new extension program. But guess what? You couldn't apply if your benefits had already expired!! I had to fight for WEEKS to get included. Keep calling them EVERY DAY and document everything. That Claimyr service someone mentioned above is literally the only way I finally got through. Also, check if your city has rent assistance programs. Many places have emergency funds that can cover 1-3 months of rent if you're facing eviction. Don't wait until you get an eviction notice though!

Thank you everyone for all this advice. I've made a to-do list from your suggestions: 1. Contact DOL about extensions (using Claimyr to get through) 2. Visit the career center for training options 3. Call 211 for food resources 4. Check out community fridges and that Too Good To Go app 5. Look into part-time retail/grocery work 6. Expand my job search to include lower positions 7. Research rent assistance programs Feel a little less hopeless now knowing there are options I haven't tried yet. Will update if I have any luck.