What does exhausted mean on unemployment - NYS Department of Labor claim status confusion

Benefits exhausted means you've used up all 26 weeks of regular unemployment insurance that NYS Department of Labor provides. In New York, regular UI is limited to 26 weeks maximum. Once you hit that limit, your claim status shows as exhausted and weekly payments stop. Unfortunately there aren't any federal extension programs running right now like there were during the pandemic.

yeah same thing happened to me last year, once you hit the 26 week mark thats pretty much it unless theres some special program running which there isnt right now

You should check if you qualify for a new claim. If you worked enough after your original claim started, you might be able to file a brand new unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor. The system will look at your recent work history to see if you earned enough wages to qualify for a fresh 26-week period. Log into your my.ny.gov account and look for the option to file a new claim, or call the NYS Department of Labor directly though good luck getting through.

The whole system is such a joke honestly. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find decent work especially in this economy. Other states give you more time but NYS Department of Labor just cuts you off and expects you to figure it out. I went through the same thing and ended up having to take a job that paid way less than what I was making before just to survive.

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask about filing a new claim, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They handle the calling for you and connect you when someone picks up. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of busy signals and hold music. You can check it out at claimyr.com. Really helped when I needed to sort out my claim status after benefits ran out.

Also make sure you're still doing your job search requirements even though benefits exhausted. I think you have to keep certifying that you're looking for work in case you do qualify for a new claim period. Don't want to mess up any future eligibility.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that you should also check if there are any state or local assistance programs available while you're figuring out the unemployment situation. Many counties in NY have emergency rental assistance programs that can help with rent if you're facing eviction. Also, make sure to apply for SNAP benefits if you haven't already - the income limits are higher now and it can help stretch your budget while you're looking for work. The process for a new unemployment claim can take a few weeks even if you do qualify, so having other support in place is crucial. Hang in there, this system is really tough to navigate but there are other resources out there.