Should I certify for the final week of NY unemployment (Sept 5-11) as PEUC/EB programs expire?
So im getting these messages about my unemployment benefits ending and im super confused. Got a notification saying that if im still out of work, the last week to certify for benefits through these programs is September 5, 2021 through September 11, 2021. Does this mean I should certify for this week even though the program is ending? I havent found work yet and really need that last payment. The message specifically says "Our records indicate that you are currently receiving or eligible for PEUC or EB benefits. If you are still out of work, the last week to certify for full or partial benefits through these programs is September 5, 2021 through September 11, 2021." The message also says something about needing to have worked and earned enough wages in covered employment to be eligible for a new claim. The exact wording is "To be eligible for a new unemployment insurance (UI) claim, you must have worked and earned enough wages in covered employment (generally employment where a W-2 should be issued)." I honestly don't understand what this means. Can I reapply after my current benefit year ends? There's mention of a Benefit Year Ending (BYE) date in my payment history, and the notification confirms "You may reapply for UI benefits when you reach the end of your current benefit year. You can find your Benefit Year Ending date (BYE date) in your online Payment History." The notification also mentions "For a limited period of time, NYS DOL will still review eligibility for federal benefits for weeks of unemployment on or before September 5, 2021 once these programs expire." Just looking for clarity - do I certify one more week or not? Anyone in the same boat? This is from NYS DOL (New York State Department of Labor), if that helps.
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Ava Johnson
Yes, you can and should certify for that final week! The message is basicly saying that if you're still unemployed during the week of Dec 12-18, 2022, you can certify for that week, and that's the LAST week you can claim. So definitely do it if you need the money!
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ElectricDreamer
•Thank you!!! That makes so much more sense. So after that week, I'm just done completely with benefits?
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Ava Johnson
•Yep, after that week ur done with this program. But the message is also sayin you might be eligible for regular UI if u worked enough during your base period. Check ur BYE date in ur payment history and see when u can reapply.
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ElectricDreamer
•Ok got it. I'll look for that BYE date. Really appreciate the help!
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Miguel Diaz
I was stuck in this exact same situation a few months back and couldn't get answers from anyone. I tried calling for DAYS but could never get through. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they actually got me connected to a rep within like 30 min. Talking to an agent got my money released so fast - worth every penny since I was about to miss rent. They have this video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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Zainab Ahmed
•this sounds sketchy af... another 'miracle solution' that probably doesn't work 🙄
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Miguel Diaz
•I get why you'd think that - I was super skeptical too. But after 2 weeks of trying to call myself and getting nowhere, I was desperate. It actually got me through to a person who fixed my issue right away. Just sharing what worked for me.
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Connor Byrne
•wait does this actually work? I've been calling for THREE WEEKS straight and can't get anywhere
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Miguel Diaz
•Yeah it worked for me! They basically just keep calling for you and then connect you when they get through. Saved me hours of frustration and my claim got fixed that same day.
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Yara Abboud
•not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work and just waste time when we're already desperate
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Miguel Diaz
•Listen, I was in the same boat as you - thought it was BS. But I was about to get evicted and had to try something. It actually worked. Your call though!
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PixelPioneer
I certified for the last week and got paid. The system is set up to allow certification for that specific final week, so absolutly do it if you need it. After that week, the program is over completely as far as i know.
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Keisha Williams
Here's a full breakdown of what that message means (I work in HR and help ppl with this stuff): - Yes, certify for that final week (Dec 12-18) if you're still unemployed - After that, this specific program ends completely - The "earned enough wages" part means: to qualify for a NEW regular UI claim, you need to have worked enough during your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply - Your "BYE date" (Benefit Year End) is when your current claim period ends - after that date, you can apply for a new claim IF you worked enough during your time on unemployment - Don't wait to certify for that last week - do it right away The ny unemployment system is really confusing and the way they word things makes it worse. If you're still having issues, try calling first thing Monday morning right when they open. Or check out claimyr.com which can help you get through to a rep faster. Hope this helps!
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ElectricDreamer
•This is SUPER helpful, thank you! I was so confused by all the terminology. So basically after this program ends, I'd need to have earned enough at some point to qualify for regular UI?
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Keisha Williams
•Exactly! For regular UI, you need to have earned enough wages during your base period. If you haven't worked since being on this program, you likely won't qualify for a new regular UI claim. But definitely certify for that last week!
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Paolo Rizzo
•This explanation should be pinned somewhere. The notices they send out are written in the most confusing way possible.
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Amina Sy
The ny unemployment system is a total disaster. Ive been dealing with them for months and every message is more confusing than the last. Just certify for that final week and start looking at other options for income asap because once benefits end, its REALLY hard to get them started again. 🤦♂️
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Oliver Fischer
•^^^^ THIS. They make everything confusing on purpose, I swear. Took me 8 weeks to get my benefits started again after a brief period of work.
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Natasha Ivanova
•Yeah its almost like they WANT us to give up and not get the benefits we're entitled to 💯
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NebulaNomad
DEFINITELY certify for that final week! I almost missed out on my last payment because I was confused by that same message. That's your money - claim it!
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Javier Garcia
The wording of those messages from unemployment is so damn confusing. yes, certify for the final week - thats what they mean by "last week to certify". After that ur done with benefits unless you qualify for a new UI claim.
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Emma Taylor
•Its like they purposely make it confusing so people miss out on benefits 🤔
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Javier Garcia
•Exactly! I swear they do this on purpose. The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up.
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Malik Robinson
What's the meaning of the "if you reached the end of your benefit year" part? Mine hasn't ended yet according to my account. Does this affect if I should certify for that last week?
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Isabella Silva
•That's separate from the program ending. Your benefit year is typically 52 weeks from when you first applied. But regardless, you should certify for the final week if you're eligible.
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Malik Robinson
•Ahh that makes sense. Thank u! Will definitely certify.
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Ravi Choudhury
I misunderstood this message completely and missed my final week of certification thinking the program had already ended. Don't make my mistake!! That last week is available to claim - do it!
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CosmosCaptain
am i the only one who thinks its absolutely crazy that they send these super important notices with such confusing language?? like our livelihoods depend on understanding this stuff and they make it impossible to figure out what they actually mean
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Freya Johansen
•PREACH 👏 took me 3 days and calls to 5 different people to understand what I was supposed to do last time
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Omar Fawzi
•The whole system is designed to be confusing. Ever notice how they always use all these technical terms without explaining them? smh
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CosmosCaptain
•I literally printed out a glossary of unemployment terms and keep it next to my computer for certification days. That's how bad it is 😂
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Chloe Wilson
After struggling with the phone lines for weeks, I finally got through using claimyr.com and got a live agent who explained everything. The last week to certify is exactly what it sounds like - the final week you can claim benefits. Definitely do it if you're still unemployed!
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Diego Mendoza
•what's this claimyr thing? another scammy service?
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Chloe Wilson
•Nah, it's a service that keeps calling unemployment for you until they get through, then connects you to the agent. Saved me like 4 hours of redial hell. Talking to an actual person got all my questions answered in 10 minutes.
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Anastasia Romanov
•So you're telling me there's actually a way to get through to a human at unemployment? 😮 might have to check this out
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StellarSurfer
I certify for the same week and got my payment. But be prepared that after this, theres nothing more unless u qualify for regular UI. Start looking for other options now.
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Sean Kelly
Make sure you certify for that last week! Don't leave money on the table that you're entitled to. After benefits end, look into local food banks and rental assistance programs if you need help - I've been using those since my benefits ran out.
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ElectricDreamer
•Thanks for the advice. Do you know if there's anywhere that lists all these local resources in one place?
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Sean Kelly
•Check out 211.org - you can enter your zip code and find all kinds of assistance programs near you. That site saved me when my benefits ran out.
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Zara Malik
That stupid message confused me too! Yes, you should certify for that final week if you're still unemployed during Dec 12-18. That's literally what they mean by "last week to certify" - it's the final week the program exists.
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Luca Greco
Wow the timing of this post is crazy, I just dealt with this exact issue yesterday. Yes, certify for the final week. That's what they're telling you - that you have one last week to claim benefits before the program ends completely. After that, you'd need to qualify for regular UI which has different eligibility requirements.
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ElectricDreamer
•Thanks! Did you have any problems certifying for that last week or did it work as normal?
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Luca Greco
•Worked just like normal! The system let me certify without any issues. Payment should come through on the usual schedule.
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