Run out of NY unemployment benefits - what options do I have now?

When you exhaust your regular UI benefits in New York, you don't automatically qualify for an extension. Right now (early 2025), there are no federal extensions like there were during the pandemic. You have a few options though: 1. If you qualify, apply for NY Extended Benefits (EB) - but these are only available when unemployment rates are high, and they're not currently active 2. Check if you're eligible for the 599 Training Program if you want to get training in a high-demand field 3. Apply for other assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) or HEAP (heating assistance) 4. Visit your local career center for job search help - they sometimes know about positions that aren't posted online You should also keep certifying weekly for a couple more weeks after exhausting benefits, just in case any programs become active.

same thing happened to me in december. its brutal. i applied for food stamps and it helped some but not enough. been driving for uber just to make rent.

OMG I'm about to run out too and I'm FREAKING OUT!!! Did you get any notice before they cut you off or did it just stop??? I have maybe 2-3 weeks left on mine and I don't know what I'll do after that! Do they at least let you know before your last payment???

have u tried calling them? sometimes they have special programs they dont tell u about on the website. my cousin got some extra weeks last year when she called and explained her situation

When I ran out of benefits in January, I tried for WEEKS to reach someone at NYSDOL to ask about extensions. Impossible to get through using the regular number. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They confirmed no extensions are available now but helped me apply for the 599 Training program since I was interested in taking some courses. The service costs money but saved me days of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Definitely look into the 599 program if you're interested in training - it can extend benefits while you learn new skills.

To answer about the 599 Training Program: If approved, you can receive additional benefits while you're in approved training. It's not just free classes - it can actually extend your UI benefits for up to 26 additional weeks while you learn a new skill in a high-demand field. But you need to apply and be approved before your regular benefits end, ideally at least 3-4 weeks before.

Just to clarify a few things about exhausting benefits in NY: 1. Your claim is still active for the benefit year (52 weeks from when you first applied) even after funds are exhausted 2. If you work enough during your benefit year and then lose that job, you may qualify for additional benefits on the same claim 3. Once your benefit year ends, you can file a new claim if you've worked and earned enough during that year Also, make sure you check the NY Department of Labor website every few weeks. Sometimes they add extension programs without much announcement, especially if unemployment numbers change significantly.

Actually, you can receive additional benefits on the same claim if you work enough to establish eligibility again. The key requirements are: 1. You must have worked and earned at least 3x your weekly benefit rate after filing your original claim 2. You must have worked in at least 3 separate calendar quarters 3. The job loss can't be due to misconduct or voluntary quit without good cause It's called a "reopened claim" rather than a new claim. But you're right that the rules do change periodically, so it's always best to contact NYSDOL directly.

u should check if ur county has any emergency rental assistance. my friend got 2 months rent covered when her benefits ran out. just google "[your county] emergency rent assistance NY" and it should come up

Has anyone had ANY luck getting through on the phone lines lately??? I've been trying for THREE DAYS and can't talk to anyone!!! This system is BROKEN!!!! How are we supposed to get help if no one answers the phones?????

when i exhausted my benefits last year i just filed a new claim even tho they said i had to wait til my benefit year was over. system rejected it but then a agent called me like 3 days later and fixed some things. worth trying maybe??

One last suggestion - if you've exhausted benefits, immediately apply for the Safety Net Assistance program through your local Department of Social Services. It's NY's program of last resort for those who've exhausted all other options. Eligibility is strict and benefits are lower than UI, but it can help bridge the gap. Also, some counties have their own temporary assistance programs with faster processing times than state programs.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits ran out about 3 weeks ago and I've been scrambling to figure out what's next. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the key things to do right away are: 1. Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) - this seems to be the fastest help available 2. Look into emergency rental assistance through your county 3. Check out Safety Net Assistance if you qualify 4. Keep an eye on the DOL website for any new extension programs I've been doing gig work (DoorDash, TaskRabbit) to try to cover some expenses while I figure this out. It's not much but every little bit helps right now. Also found that some local churches and community organizations have emergency assistance funds - might be worth checking in your area. This whole situation is really stressful when you've never had to navigate these systems before. Hang in there!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my benefits just ended two weeks ago and I'm trying to piece together what to do next. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful because the DOL website is so confusing about what happens after exhaustion. I managed to get through to someone at DOL yesterday (took literally 4 hours of calling back-to-back) and they confirmed that there are currently no federal extensions available. The agent did mention that I should keep checking back because sometimes programs get added with little notice, especially if economic conditions change. One thing I found that might help others - if you're looking for temporary work while job hunting, many temp agencies are hiring right now for tax season (it's almost that time of year). I signed up with three different ones and already got a few days of work lined up. It's not much but it's something to help with bills while I figure out longer-term solutions. Also, don't forget to file your taxes early this year if you can - you might get a refund that could help bridge the gap. I totally forgot that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so make sure you have those forms ready. Stay strong everyone - this system is definitely not easy to navigate but at least we're all helping each other figure it out!

Just wanted to add something that might help others in this situation - I went through benefit exhaustion about 6 months ago and one resource that really saved me was contacting 211 (you can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org). They have a comprehensive database of local assistance programs that a lot of people don't know about. When I called them, they connected me with a local nonprofit that helped cover one month of utilities, and they also knew about a grocery assistance program in my area that wasn't advertised anywhere online. The person I spoke with actually walked me through applying for multiple programs in one call and followed up with me a week later to see how things were going. Also, if anyone is struggling with the SNAP application process, most counties have SNAP outreach workers who can help you apply in person or over the phone. They know all the tricks to make sure you don't miss any potential benefits you might qualify for. I found mine through the county social services website. The whole experience taught me that there are way more safety net programs available than what you see on the main government websites - you just have to know where to look or who to ask. Don't be afraid to reach out for help, that's what these programs are for!

I'm in the exact same boat - just got the notification that my benefits are exhausted and I'm honestly panicking a bit. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful though! A few things I've learned from this thread that I'm going to do immediately: 1. Apply for SNAP benefits today 2. Call 211 to see what other local programs might be available 3. Look into emergency rental assistance through my county 4. Check out temp agencies for tax season work One question for those who've been through this - how long does the SNAP application process typically take? I'm trying to figure out my timeline for when I might actually see some assistance come through. Also, has anyone had experience with the career centers that were mentioned? I've been mostly applying online but wondering if they actually have job leads that aren't posted elsewhere. This whole situation is scary but at least this community is helping each other navigate it. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences!

I'm about to face this same situation in a few weeks and this whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea there were so many different programs and resources available - the DOL website really doesn't explain any of this clearly. One thing I want to add that might help people is to start preparing for benefit exhaustion BEFORE it actually happens if you can. I'm going to start my SNAP application this week even though I still have a couple weeks left on unemployment, and I'm going to call 211 tomorrow to get a list of all available programs in my area. It seems like the key is having multiple safety nets lined up rather than waiting until you're completely out of money to start applying for help. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like most of these programs take time to process, so getting ahead of it could prevent some of the panic and desperation. Also planning to reach out to my career center this week and maybe sign up with some temp agencies now while I still have a little income buffer. Better to be prepared than scrambling at the last minute. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from official government websites!

I just want to thank everyone who's contributed to this thread - as someone who's completely new to this situation, reading all these real experiences and practical advice has been a lifesaver. The official resources don't prepare you for what it's actually like when your benefits run out. A few things I'm taking away that might help others: - Start preparing BEFORE benefits end if possible (applying for SNAP, researching local programs, etc.) - 211 seems to be an amazing resource that most people don't know about - Temp agencies are hiring for tax season right now - Career centers have job leads that aren't always posted online - Emergency rental assistance is available at the county level One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - has anyone looked into whether their utility companies have hardship programs? I know some offer payment plans or temporary assistance for people who've lost income. Might be worth calling them directly. Also, for anyone dealing with the stress and anxiety of this situation, don't forget to take care of your mental health too. This is an incredibly difficult transition and it's normal to feel overwhelmed. Some community health centers offer free or sliding-scale counseling services if you need someone to talk to. We shouldn't have to navigate this maze of programs on our own, but at least we can help each other through it. Thanks again to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences!

I'm facing this exact situation in about a month and this thread has been incredibly helpful - way more useful than anything I could find on the official DOL website. One resource I discovered that hasn't been mentioned yet is the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website. They have a "myBenefits" screening tool that can help you figure out what programs you might qualify for all in one place, including SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid, and temporary assistance. It takes about 10 minutes and gives you a personalized list of programs to apply for. Also, I called my local Workforce Development office yesterday and learned they offer something called "supportive services" that can include things like transportation assistance to job interviews, work clothes vouchers, and even help with licensing fees if you need certifications for certain jobs. The counselor said a lot of people don't know these services exist beyond just basic job search help. For anyone dealing with this right now - I know it's overwhelming but you're not alone in this. The system definitely isn't designed to be user-friendly, but seeing everyone share their experiences and solutions here gives me hope that there are ways to get through this difficult transition. Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to share what they've learned!

I'm in almost the exact same situation - my benefits ran out about 10 days ago and I've been trying to figure out what to do next. This thread has been incredibly helpful because like others have mentioned, the DOL website really doesn't explain what happens after exhaustion very clearly. Based on everything I've read here, I'm creating my own action plan: 1. Apply for SNAP benefits immediately (seems like this is the fastest assistance available) 2. Call 211 to get a comprehensive list of local programs 3. Use that OTDA myBenefits screening tool that Ava mentioned 4. Look into emergency rental assistance through my county 5. Contact local Workforce Development for supportive services 6. Check out temp agencies for tax season work I also wanted to add something I discovered - if you have any outstanding medical bills or are worried about losing health insurance, you can often get retroactive Medicaid coverage. I called the Medicaid office and they said if I'm approved, it can cover medical expenses from up to 3 months before my application date. Might be worth looking into if anyone has healthcare costs they're worried about. The whole experience has been really stressful and overwhelming, but seeing everyone share practical advice and support each other makes it feel less isolating. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in navigating all these different systems when we're already dealing with job loss and financial stress, but at least we're helping each other figure it out. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this is the kind of real-world guidance you just can't get anywhere else!