NY unemployment federal benefits ended 9/5 - PUA/PEUC/EB recipients completely locked out of certification system since 9/12

Same thing happened to me. I had about $2,350 left in my balance and now I can't access it at all. The system just keeps rejecting my certification attempts. Called over 20 times yesterday and couldn't get thru to anyone. This is so frustrating!

After struggling with this exact problem I finally found a solution. I used Claimyr.com and it was a game changer. They called NY unemployment for me, waited on hold, then connected me to a real person. The agent explained that once federal programs end, the remaining balance isn't available anymore. It's frustrating but at least I got a clear answer. Talking to an agent got my questions answered right away instead of guessing. Here's a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Unfortunately, once federal benefits expire, you lose access to any remaining balance. It's not like regular UI where you're entitled to a certain amount - these emergency programs had a hard end date. Sucks but that's how they designed it.

i still dont understand why they would completely lock us out of the system tho?? i get that the benefits ended but why cant we even log in to see our past payment history? makes no sense

The whole system is designed to make people give up. I had about $1,200 left in my account too, and now it's just gone. Welcome to America where they dangle help in front of you and then snatch it away. 👍

For everyone struggling with this issue, here's what I've learned after spending WAY too much time researching this: When federal benefits expired on September 5th, they completely cut off access to those funds. Any remaining balance you had is essentially gone - it's not like regular unemployment where you have a set amount you're entitled to regardless of timing. If you were on regular UI (not one of the federal pandemic programs), you might still be able to certify, but everyone on PUA, PEUC, or EB is now completely cut off from the certification system. Your best options now: 1. If you think there's a mistake or you should still be eligible for regular UI, you NEED to speak with an agent. I wasted days trying to call before I used claimyr.com and finally got through. They just wait on hold and call you when an agent picks up - saved me hours of frustration. 2. Check if you qualify for other assistance programs like SNAP or rental assistance - many have expanded eligibility. 3. Your payment history should still be viewable by logging into your main account (not through the certification portal). The system is incredibly frustrating but at least knowing what's happening might save some of you the time I wasted trying to certify for benefits that are completely gone now.

the fact that they just cut everyone off with barely any notice is criminal. i had no idea i would lose ALL access to the system. they couldve at least sent some kind of warning email explaining exactly what would happen!!

Anyone know if we're getting any kind of tax documents for 2021 or how to access those since we're locked out of the system now?

I tried calling the appeals department instead of the regular unemployment line and actually got through! They explained that the remaining balances on federal programs are gone, but they at least answered my questions. Try 1-800-833-3000 instead of the regular number.

I'm in the same situation. Had around $2,100 left that just vanished. When I finally got through to someone using claimyr.com, they explained that the end date was set by Congress and DOL has no authority to extend or pay out remaining balances. Sucks but at least I stopped wasting time trying to certify for money I'll never see.

Here's a crazy idea: what if we organized and all showed up at the DOL office in person? They can ignore our calls but hard to ignore a crowd of people demanding answers about why they suddenly lost access with no warning.

everyone who had leftover balances should file a class action lawsuit. this is basically theft - they promised a certain amount then took it away after we already qualified for it.