NY unemployment reduced $129 after BYE date - Must file new claim but payment dropped from $487 to $358

Yeah, this whole BYE date thing is a mess. I went through this back in May. The system is designed to screw you over by recalculating your benefits based on your work history during the last benefit year - which for most of us was little to none because of the pandemic! So of course our new benefit amounts are WAY lower. You basically just have to accept the new lower rate or find work. I tried fighting it for weeks and just wasted my time.

I was in the exact same situation last month! After hitting my wall with trying to call for a week straight, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to a real human at NY unemployment and I finally got my new claim sorted out. The agent explained that your new benefit calculation is based on your base period which is why it dropped. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - seriously worth checking out: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Listen carefully: the part time work during your previous benefit year is 100% why your new WBA is lower. They look at your base period (first 4 of last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file). Since you were mostly on unemployment during that time, with just 3 months of work, your calculation is way lower. It sucks but that's how the system works. As for your last payment, it should still come through but might be delayed due to the transition. Keep certifying weekly no matter what.

Just went thru this last week. My BYE date was 8/29 and I had to file a whole new claim. My weekly went from $504 to only $298!! I called and called and finally got someone who explained that because I only worked a few months during the past year (was on UI most of the time), my new calculation is based on those few months of work. Nothing you can do about it sadly. Welcome to broke city 😭

Ok I work for a nonprofit that helps ppl navigate the unemployment system so here's what you need to know about BYE dates and refiling: 1. Yes, you MUST file a new claim after your BYE date if you're still unemployed 2. Your new weekly benefit amount (WBA) is calculated based on your base period wages - which for most people who were on UI during the pandemic means a much lower amount 3. The final payment from your old claim will eventually process but there's often a 1-2 week gap during the transition 4. If you can't get through on the phones (which is common), I highly recommend using claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold for you and connects you with a live agent 5. Make sure you're certifying every week even during this transition period 6. Check your email and mail daily for correspondence from NYSDOL about your new claim The drop in benefits is unfortunately normal when refiling after a BYE date. The system wasn't designed for long-term unemployment situations like we've seen during and after the pandemic.

nobody answering this persons last question so I will - YES filing a new claim often delays your last payment from the old claim. It will eventually come through but the transition between claims often has a gap in payments. make sure your address is up to date cuz sometimes they mail the first payment on the new claim instead of direct deposit.

call call call!!!! you NEED to talk to someone. i had similar situation and my new rate was wrong. they made a mistake on my calculation and fixed it when i finally got through. keep trying or use claimyr.com which is what i did after trying for 3 days to get through

Lol welcome to the club! 🤣 This exact thing happened to ALL OF US who've been on unemployment long enough to hit a BYE date. Your new calculation is based on the work you did during your last benefit year - which for most of us was minimal because HELLO there was a pandemic! So OF COURSE our new benefit amounts are garbage. The system basically punishes you for being unemployed by reducing your benefits if you stay unemployed too long. It's a sick joke.

For anyone dealing with BYE date issues, make sure you're following the updated guidance on the NY DOL website. They actually have a whole section about this now. But honestly, calling is the fastest way to resolve it. I used claimyr.com after not being able to get through for days - it was worth every penny to finally get my claim fixed.

what really pisses me off is theres no warning that your amount will change!!! they just spring it on you when you refile. i went from $504 to $298 and nearly had a heart attack. they should tell people in advance so we can prepare financially.

As someone who worked at NYSDOL (not anymore thank god), I can tell you the BYE recalculation is working as designed, but the design is horrible. The system assumes a person will rarely be unemployed long enough to reach their BYE date. With COVID, thousands hit their BYE dates and got reduced benefits because they had little or no work during the base period. It's a major flaw in the system that nobody in power cares to fix.

heres a tip - if you cant get thru on the phone try calling right when they open at 8am or in the last hour before they close. middle of the day is impossible to get through

i think im gonna be sick. my BYE date is next week and now im terrified my benefits will drop too. im barely surviving as is.

something similar happened to me but they actually found i qualified for a higher amount after i talked to an agent! definitely worth calling. i couldnt get through for days until i used claimyr.com - finally got a human on the phone who fixed everything