NYS Department of Labor - how long can one get unemployment benefits after getting laid off?
Got laid off from my retail management position last month and finally got approved for benefits. My brother keeps telling me I only have 26 weeks but I'm seeing different info online. How long can one get unemployment benefits in NY? My last job was for 3 years so I should qualify for the full amount right? Also worried because I heard there might be work search requirements - do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?
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Emma Davis
In New York, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks (6 months) maximum. Your benefit duration depends on your base period wages - you need sufficient earnings in your base period to qualify for the full 26 weeks. Since you worked 3 years, you should be fine for the maximum duration. Yes, you need to complete 3 job search activities per week and log them in the NYS Department of Labor system.
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Javier Morales
•Thanks! Do you know what counts as a job search activity? I've been applying online but wasn't sure if that's enough.
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GalaxyGlider
i think its 26 weeks but dont quote me on that lol. my cousin got benefits for like 6 months before they stopped. you definitely have to do the job search thing though or they'll cut you off
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Malik Robinson
The 26-week limit is correct for regular UI benefits. Your work search activities can include online applications, attending job fairs, networking events, or even creating profiles on job sites. Just make sure you're documenting everything properly in your weekly claims. I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I needed to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor about my claim requirements - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Much easier than trying to get through the phone lines yourself.
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Isabella Silva
•Never heard of that service before but might check it out. I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my job search log and can never get through!
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Ravi Choudhury
Wait I'm confused - is it 26 weeks total or 26 weeks per year? What happens if you don't find a job in 6 months? Do you just lose everything and have to reapply?
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Emma Davis
•It's 26 weeks total for your benefit year. After that, your claim expires and you'd need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed, but you'd need new qualifying wages from work after your original claim started. You can't just keep collecting indefinitely.
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Freya Andersen
The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. 26 weeks goes by FAST especially in this job market. I burned through my benefits last year and ended up having to take a job paying way less than what I was making before. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't care if you find something decent or not.
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Omar Farouk
Same situation here! Got my approval letter and everything looks good. The 26 weeks should be plenty of time to find something better than my old job.
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