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Javier Mendoza

NY unemployment benefits exhausted while 7 months pregnant - can I file a new claim?

I was laid off (company downsizing) from my job right before Christmas 2022. Been collecting unemployment since then without any issues. Yesterday when I submitted my weekly certification, I got a message saying "your unemployment insurance benefits will run out with this payment." Not sure what to do now. Can I file a new claim somehow? Every time I try to start over on the website, it just redirects me back to my current claim information. The timing couldn't be worse since I'm currently 7 months pregnant. I've sent out applications to at least 30 different places over the past few months but only landed 3 interviews so far. No luck with any offers. Anyone been through this and know what options I have?

I think after your benefits run out, you gotta wait until the benefit year ends to file a new claim. Like if you first filed in December 2022, your benefit year would end December 2023. But you could maybe qualify for an extension depending on whats available right now in NY. Call the office and check with them directly, theyll tell you if you qualify for anything else.

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Thanks for the info. Did you have to wait for your benefit year to end before filing again? I'm worried about having no income for months.

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Yeah I had to wait until my benefit year ended. It sucked. Definitely call them tho - with your pregnancy they might have some extra options for you that I didnt qualify for.

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Good luck calling them directly 🤣 took me 3 weeks to get through last time I tried

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After spending weeks trying to get thru to someone at unemployment, I stumbled on this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me a callback from an actual agent within an hour. Just told them my situation about exhausted benefits and they helped me figure out my next steps. Talking to an agent got my issues resolved way faster than I expected and it was the best money I ever spent when I was desperate for my benefits. They even have a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Is this for real? I've been trying to reach ny unemployment for like 2 weeks now with zero luck.

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100% real. I was super skeptical too but I was at my wits end after calling for days. It took like 40 mins to get a callback. The agent was able to check everything in my account.

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sounds too good to be true tbh... has anyone else used this?

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I used it last month when my payments suddenly stopped. Got thru to someone who fixed it on the spot. Beats calling 50 times a day for weeks.

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another day another 'miracle solution' 🙄 but honestly at this point I'm desperate enough to try anything

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Not saying it's a miracle but it literally just connects you with the same unemployment office people you'd talk to anyway, just without the endless calling and waiting. Saved me days of frustration.

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Being pregnant makes things more complicated. After your UI benefits run out, check if you qualify for other assistance programs. Have you applied for WIC yet? Also look into temporary assistance programs since your situation is unique. The system isnt designed well for people in your situation, its frustrating AF.

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You've reached the maximum benefits for your regular UI claim. Unfortunately you can't file a new claim until your benefit year is over. In NY you get 26 weeks of benefits usually. What you NEED to do is call and ask about extended benefits if they're available (this changes all the time). Make getting through to an agent your top priority.

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This ☝️ Extended benefits are the way to go if you can get them. Just be warned they're not always available depending on the unemployment rate.

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Do you know if extended benefits require a separate application or if they automatically check eligibility?

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You usually have to call and request it. They're not automatic. They'll review your case and let you know what's available to you.

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I know EXACTLY what your going through, was in the same boat 5 months ago. Pregnant and unemployed is the worst combo ever, especially with how garbage the job market is right now. What worked for me was getting help from the NYS pregnancy assistance program - they helped bridge the gap after my UI ended. Call 211 and they can direct you to the right resources for your specific situation.

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Thank you so much for this. I'll definitely call 211. Did you end up finding work before giving birth?

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Nope. No one wants to hire someone who's visibly pregnant, even though thats technically discrimination. I found a remote job when my baby was 2 months old. The assistance programs helped me survive the gap.

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Here's what you need to know about exhausting NY unemployment benefits: First, understand that regular UI benefits typically last 26 weeks (about 6 months). Once exhausted, you usually need to wait until your benefit year ends before filing a new claim. However, you have several options to explore right now: 1. Call unemployment directly to ask about any extensions that might be currently available. Benefits programs change frequently. 2. Apply for other assistance programs immediately - Medicaid (if not already enrolled), WIC, SNAP, and temporary assistance can help bridge the gap. 3. Because of your pregnancy, you may qualify for specific programs through the Department of Health. 4. When you do reach your benefit year end, you'll need sufficient work history in the new base period to qualify for a new claim. The absolute fastest way to get answers about your specific situation is to speak with an agent directly. After trying for weeks to get through the regular phone lines with no success, I used claimyr.com and finally got connected to an agent who resolved my issues. With your pregnancy situation, you need accurate information ASAP rather than guessing based on general advice. Don't give up - there are resources available to help you through this transition period.

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This is super helpful info, wish someone had told me all this when I was in the same situation last year!

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Thank you for such a detailed response. I'm going to try calling them tomorrow morning.

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The NY unemployment system is such a disaster. Took me 3 months to get my first payment after being laid off, then my benefits ran out just as I was about to get hired somewere. the whole thing is designed to be confusing on purpose 🤬

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Right?? It's like they WANT people to give up and not get benefits they deserve. System is broken af

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NYS unemployment department is the ninth circle of hell

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Your best bet is to get someone on the phone ASAP. Unfortunately, the website is useless for situations like this. Try calling right when they open (like 7:59am) to have better odds of getting through. What worked for me was calling on Wednesday around 10am for some reason.

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i disagree - use claimyr.com instead of wasting time calling over and over. got me through in under an hour after i spent days trying to call myself

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Does that actually work? i might try it myself since ive been trying to reach someone for 3 weeks now

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yep, saved my sanity. just got my missed payments yesterday after the agent fixed my account issue

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check if ur eligible for disability benefits due to ur pregnancy. sometimes when regular unemployment runs out, u can transition to disability especially if ur far along in pregnancy. also apply for emergency assistance, medicaid, snap, etc. - dont wait!

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Why havent you been looking for work this entire time? UI isnt meant to last forever. If you've only had 2 interviews since LAST NOVEMBER maybe you need to cast a wider net or adjust your expectations. 🤷‍♂️

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I said I've applied to a lot of places... It's not easy finding work while visibly pregnant. Many employers see you as someone who's about to take leave.

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Ignore this jerk. Anyone who's been pregnant and job hunting knows it's practically impossible once you start showing. They see you and immediately think "she's just gonna take maternity leave" even though they can't legally discriminate.

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fair enough, my bad. pregnancy definitely complicates things. have you tried temp agencies? sometimes they have short term gigs that might work until after your delivery

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I remmeber when I exhausted my benefits last year. Called unemployment for WEEKS with no answer. Finally got through using that claimyr service - worth every penny to skip the phone hell. The agent told me I couldn't file a new claim until my benefit year ended, but helped me apply for extended benefits that were available at the time. Don't know if they still have those though.

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Am I the only person who thinks its INSANE that our unemployment system leaves pregnant women with no support?? Like literally any other developed country would have better safety nets for this exact situation. The US is broken af 😤

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Preach 👏 My sister went through this last year and ended up moving back with our parents at 35 because she couldn't afford rent after UI ran out

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its the American way - pull yourself up by your bootstraps even if you're 8 months pregnant 🙄

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Mei Lin

My friend in Canada got like a YEAR of paid leave when she had her baby. Meanwhile in the US we're like "benefits over? lol good luck

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Have you tried contacting your state representative? They sometimes can help push your case through or connect you with resources. Worth a shot when you're stuck in unemployment limbo.

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Not sure if anyone mentioned this but you should immediately apply for medicaid if you havent already - they have specific programs for pregnant women that have higher income thresholds than regular medicaid. Also WIC is a lifesaver.

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I'm on Medicaid already thankfully. And yes, just applied for WIC yesterday after I got that message about benefits ending. Trying to be proactive about all this.

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Dont listen to ppl saying you have to wait till benefit yr ends... sometimes you dont! I was able to get a special extension because of my situation. You NEED to talk to an actual human at NY unemployment, not just rely on the website. Call early, call often.

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Hey Javier, I'm so sorry you're going through this - being pregnant and dealing with unemployment stress is absolutely awful. I went through something similar last year (though not pregnant) and here's what I learned: You're right that the website just loops you back to your existing claim - that's normal when benefits are exhausted. The key is getting through to an actual person who can check if there are any extensions or programs you qualify for, especially given your pregnancy. A few practical things to try immediately: - Call 211 for local assistance programs (as someone mentioned above) - Check if you qualify for emergency assistance through your county - Look into Short Term Disability if your pregnancy qualifies - Apply for SNAP if you haven't already I know everyone's saying to call unemployment directly, but honestly after reading all these comments about Claimyr, it might be worth the cost to skip the phone hell and get answers faster. When you're 7 months pregnant, time is really important. Also don't feel bad about the job search - anyone saying it's easy to find work while visibly pregnant has clearly never tried it. Employers are awful about this even though it's illegal. You've got this, and there ARE resources out there to help bridge the gap. Don't give up!

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This is such great advice, Sunny! I'm in a similar situation (not pregnant but benefits just ran out) and your comment about Claimyr is making me seriously consider it. The regular phone lines are just impossible to get through. @Javier Mendoza hang in there - I know it s'scary but sounds like you re'doing everything right by being proactive with WIC and other programs.

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I'm really sorry you're dealing with this while pregnant - that's incredibly stressful timing. From what I understand, NY typically allows 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, and once those are exhausted, you usually can't file a new claim until your benefit year ends (which would be around December 2023 for you). However, given your pregnancy, there might be additional options available. Here are some things to explore: 1. **Extended Benefits** - These aren't always available but worth checking. You'll need to speak with an agent to see if NY currently offers any extensions. 2. **Disability Benefits** - At 7 months pregnant, you might qualify for short-term disability benefits, especially as you get closer to your due date. 3. **Emergency Assistance Programs** - NY has emergency assistance for pregnant women and families in crisis situations. The biggest challenge is actually reaching someone at the unemployment office. I've been seeing people in this thread mention Claimyr as a way to get through faster - might be worth considering given your time-sensitive situation. Also, definitely keep pursuing other assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and any county-specific emergency aid. Being pregnant should help you qualify for expedited assistance in many programs. Don't lose hope - there are safety nets available, even if they're not well-advertised. You're being smart by reaching out and asking for help now rather than waiting.

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Miguel, this is really comprehensive advice! I'm a newcomer here but wanted to add that I just went through something similar (not pregnant but had my benefits exhausted). The part about disability benefits is spot on - pregnancy can qualify you for short-term disability especially in your third trimester. Also, don't overlook contacting your local social services office directly - they often know about emergency programs that aren't well publicized. @Javier Mendoza I hope you get the help you need soon, this community seems really supportive!

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