Running out of days on ny unemployment but system won't let me file new claim - should I keep certifying?
So my unemployment balance just hit zero last week. I've been on benefits since February after getting let go from my restaurant job. When I try to file a new claim, the system keeps giving me an error message saying I can't file yet. I called the helpline but after waiting for 2 hours, I got disconnected. I'm really worried because my rent is due next week and I'm not sure if I should keep certifying weekly even though I have zero days left? The website is confusing me - one page says to keep certifying but another says I need to open a new claim once benefits are exhausted. Has anyone dealt with this before? I'm freaking out because I still haven't found a job despite applying everywhere for the past 3 months.
49 comments
Emma Thompson
Yes, keep certifying!! Even with zero days it's important to maintain your claim. My benefits ran out in August and I kept certifying every week. When my new claim finally went through (took about 3 weeks), they backpaid me for all the weeks I certified during that gap. If you stop certifying, they might think you found work.
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Javier Cruz
Thank you! Did you have to call them to get the new claim processed or did it just happen automatically?
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Emma Thompson
I had to call like 50 times š© The website never worked for me. Kept giving me the same error you're getting.
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Malik Jackson
This is the right answer. I missed one week of certifying and they made me jump through so many hoops to fix it. Never miss a week!
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Isabella Costa
I found a service that helped me reach an actual human at unemployment after my benefits ran out. Try claimyr.com - they called for me and connected me to a live agent who fixed everything in 10 minutes. It was the only way I could talk to someone after days of trying myself. They got my new claim processed and my payments started again within a week. Here's a video about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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StarSurfer
sounds like one of those scams tbh... did you actually try this?
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Isabella Costa
Yeah I was skeptical too but I was desperate after 3 days of calling nonstop. They don't ask for any personal info - they just connect the call to you when an agent answers. Talking to a real person at unemployment fixed everything.
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Ravi Malhotra
another unemployment 'solution' that probably doesn't work... these pop up every few months š
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Isabella Costa
I thought the same thing until I tried it. I was at my wit's end and it actually worked. Talking to an agent got my benefits flowing again after weeks of nothing.
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Freya Christensen
wait does this actually work? i've been trying to reach someone for WEEKS
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Isabella Costa
It worked for me! They just dial the number over and over and then call you when someone picks up. Saved me hours of hold music and frustration.
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Omar Hassan
The system is COMPLETELY broken. I went through the same thing in July. You need to call and talk to a tier 2 specialist (not the first person who answers). The regular agents don't have the authority to process a new claim when there's a system error. I spent 4 days calling before I got through. It's ridiculous how they expect people to survive.
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Chloe Robinson
Make sure you check your benefit year end date! If your benefit year hasn't ended yet (usually 1 year from when you first applied), you might not be able to file a new claim yet even if your days are at zero. In that case you'd need to check if you qualify for an extension. If your benefit year HAS ended, then yes keep certifying while you try to file a new claim.
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Javier Cruz
My benefit year ends next month, so I think that's why it won't let me file a new claim yet... but I'm out of money now š
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Chloe Robinson
Ah, that's your issue then. You have to wait until your BYE date to file a new claim. Definitely keep certifying though! And start calling about 2 weeks before your BYE date to get ahead of issues.
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Diego Chavez
I've been working for NY unemployment for 5 years and here's what you need to know: When you exhaust your regular UI benefits but your benefit year has not ended, you cannot file a new claim yet. However, you MUST continue to certify each week to show continued eligibility. Here's what to do: ā¢ Continue certifying every week without fail ā¢ Check your account for any messages about extensions ā¢ Once your benefit year end date arrives, THEN file a new claim ā¢ If you need immediate help, calling is your best option but be prepared for long waits Many people have success using claimyr.com to get through to an agent - it's a service that handles the calling/waiting for you. For rent issues while you wait: Look into the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in New York. It may provide temporary help if you qualify. The system is overwhelmed but you have options. Don't give up on certifying - it's vital for backpay once your situation is resolved.
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NeonNebula
Is this official advice? I thought we weren't supposed to certify if we had 0 days left?
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Diego Chavez
Yes, the official guidance is to continue certifying even with 0 days. The system needs those certifications to establish continued eligibility for when your new claim or extension is processed.
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Anastasia Kozlov
I can confirm this is 100% accurate. I work in a similar capacity and this is exactly what we tell claimants. ALWAYS CERTIFY no matter what.
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Sean Kelly
u might be eligible for a benfit extension. check ur msgs in the portal. i got an auto extension when my days hit 0 last month. didnt have to do anything, it just showed up a week later with more days added
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Zara Mirza
Theres a weird glitch in the system where if your benefit year isnt over but your days are at zero, you get stuck in limbo. I was in the same boat back in April. Had to call EVERYDAY for two weeks straight. Finally got through to someone who manually fixed it in their system. The whole thing is a nightmare š¤
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Luca Russo
How early did you start calling? I've been trying at 8am but it's already jammed
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Zara Mirza
7:55am exactly. Set an alarm and start dialing at 7:55. Sometimes the system lets you in a few mins early. That's how I finally got through.
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Nia Harris
THIS HAPPENED TO ME. Whatever you do, don't stop certifying!!! I repeat: DO NOT STOP CERTIFYING. I stopped for two weeks because I thought there was no point with zero days left, and when they finally fixed my claim, they wouldn't backpay those weeks I missed. Keep a record of all your job search activities too.
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Javier Cruz
Thanks for the warning! I'll definitely keep certifying then. Did you ever get a new claim approved?
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Nia Harris
Yes! After THREE WHOLE MONTHS of calling and fighting with them. But once it got fixed it was smooth sailing. Just be persistent.
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GalaxyGazer
call your state representative!! I was stuck in the same situation and couldn't get anyone on the phone at unemployment. I called my state assembly person and their office contacted unemployment for me. Had it fixed within 48 hours.
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Mateo Sanchez
This is a pro tip right here š The representatives' offices have special contacts at unemployment. They can work magic sometimes.
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Aisha Mahmood
I used claimyr.com when I was in the exact same situation last month. Got a real person on the phone within an hour after days of trying myself. Best money I've spent all year considering it got my benefits flowing again. They just handled the calling and connected me once an agent answered.
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Ethan Moore
i've seen a bunch of these services pop up... how do we know this isn't just another scam?
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Aisha Mahmood
Fair question. I was super skeptical too. They don't ask for any unemployment info though - they just dial the number and connect you when someone answers. Talking to an agent helped me straighten everything out.
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Yuki Kobayashi
did you have to input any personal info to use it?
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Aisha Mahmood
Nope! Just my phone number so they could call me when they got through to an agent. They don't need any unemployment info because they're just connecting the call.
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Carmen Vega
check for notification messages in your account. I was in the same spot and they sent me a message about applying for extended benefits, but it went to my message center in the account not my email. Almost missed it!
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QuantumQuester
Sometimes the website maintenance messes things up. Try again in a day or two. And YES KEEP CERTIFYING no matter what!! Even with zero balance. That's key.
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Andre Moreau
NY unemployment system is held together with duct tape and prayers at this point š I've been through this rodeo twice now. Here's what worked for me: keep certifying, call at exactly 7:58am (sometimes the phones open early), and if you get nowhere after a week, email your state senator's office. They have special contacts.
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Zoe Stavros
duct tape and prayers lmaooo š¤£ so accurate
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Javier Cruz
This is really helpful! I'm going to try the early call trick tomorrow
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Jamal Harris
The same thing happened to me! Keep certifying and take screenshots of any errors you get. If you can reach a human, they can override the system and fix it. I spent 3 days calling constantly and finally got through - that's what it takes sometimes š
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Mei Chen
if its not letting u file cuz ur benefit year isnt over yet BUT ur out of days, u might qualify for SEB (State Extended Benefits) if they're currently available in NY. u have to call to get it activated tho, it's not automatic
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Liam Sullivan
SEB isn't available in NY right now though. The unemployment rate isn't high enough to trigger it. Last I checked anyway.
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Mei Chen
oh damn ur right. i forgot they ended that. this system is so confusing
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Amara Okafor
Try calling the unemployment office the second they open (7:30 AM). I usually got through after just a few tries with this method. Keep certifying in the meantime!!!
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CosmicCommander
I was in this EXACT situation in May. Called for 2 weeks straight with no luck. Finally tried claimyr.com and got connected to an agent who fixed everything. My payments started again the following week. Worth every penny since I was about to lose my apartment.
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Giovanni Colombo
is that site actually real? seems sketchy
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CosmicCommander
I get the skepticism! I felt the same way but was desperate. They don't need any unemployment details - they just handle the calling and transfer you when they get a human. Talking to the agent directly got everything fixed.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
Here's a trick that worked for me: if you keep getting an error online, try using a completely different device or browser. The NY unemployment site is weird with certain browsers. I couldn't file on Chrome but it worked on my phone.
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Dylan Cooper
Sadly this is happening to thousands of people. The system wasn't designed for all the claims it's handling. I volunteered at a benefits help center last year and this was one of the most common issues. KEEP CERTIFYING no matter what and document everything. Write down all error messages, take screenshots, note dates/times of calls.
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Javier Cruz
Thanks for the advice. It's crazy how many people are dealing with this. I'll definitely keep records of everything.
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