NYS Department of Labor strategies for dealing with long term unemployment benefits exhaustion
I've been unemployed for 18 months now and my regular UI benefits ran out 6 months ago. I'm really struggling to figure out what options I have left through NYS Department of Labor. I keep applying for jobs but the market in my field (marketing coordinator) is brutal right now. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of extended unemployment? What resources did you find through NYS Department of Labor for long-term situations? I'm starting to panic about my finances and wondering if there are any programs I'm missing.
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Emma Olsen
First, I'm sorry you're going through this. Long-term unemployment is incredibly stressful. After your regular UI benefits exhausted, you should have been eligible for Extended Benefits (EB) if NYS was in a high unemployment period. Have you checked your my.ny.gov account recently to see if any additional benefit programs became available? Also, make sure you're registered with the NYS Department of Labor's job search assistance programs - they have resources specifically for long-term unemployed individuals.
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Christian Bierman
•I checked my account last week and didn't see any extended benefits available. Should I call NYS Department of Labor directly to ask about this? The job search assistance sounds helpful - where do I find that?
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Lucas Lindsey
You need to look into Workforce Development programs through NYS Department of Labor. They have retraining grants and career counseling services for people in exactly your situation. Also check if you qualify for SNAP benefits to help with food costs while you're job searching. The key is using multiple support systems, not just relying on UI payments.
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Sophie Duck
•This is good advice. I did the workforce development program last year and it really helped me update my skills. The career counselors actually know what employers are looking for right now.
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Austin Leonard
been there, market is absolutely terrible right now. took me 14 months to find something and even then it was way below what i was making before. just keep grinding through the applications i guess
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Anita George
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask about additional programs, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was able to get clarification on some benefit programs I didn't even know existed. Sometimes talking to an actual person makes all the difference in understanding what you're eligible for.
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Christian Bierman
•That's interesting, I've never heard of that service. I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks with no luck. Did they charge you for it?
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Anita George
•It was worth it for me because I was getting nowhere with the regular phone system. The agent was able to explain several programs I hadn't considered and helped me understand my options better.
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Abigail Spencer
The whole system is broken honestly. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for over a year and they make everything unnecessarily complicated. Why should people have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic information about what programs exist?? It's like they don't want to help people who need it most.
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Sophie Duck
•I understand the frustration but there are people at NYS Department of Labor who genuinely want to help. The system has issues but complaining doesn't solve the immediate problem of finding resources.
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Logan Chiang
Have you considered temporary or contract work while you search? Sometimes that can help bridge the gap financially and also shows activity on your resume. Plus some temp agencies work directly with NYS Department of Labor job placement services.
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Christian Bierman
•I've thought about it but wasn't sure how that affects any potential benefits. Do I need to report temp work to NYS Department of Labor if I'm not currently receiving UI?
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Emma Olsen
•If you're not currently receiving UI benefits, you don't need to report temp work to NYS Department of Labor. But definitely keep records in case you need to file for benefits again in the future.
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