What happens if your unemployment benefits run out in NY - need advice
My regular unemployment benefits are going to expire in about 2 weeks and I'm freaking out. I've been looking for work but haven't found anything yet. What exactly happens when your 26 weeks run out? Do I automatically get extended benefits or do I have to apply for something else? I keep seeing conflicting information online about what NYS Department of Labor does next. Has anyone been through this recently? I'm really worried about paying rent next month.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
Once your regular UI benefits exhaust, you won't automatically receive extended benefits. New York doesn't currently have any extended benefit programs active. You'll need to look into other assistance programs like SNAP or temporary assistance. Make sure you're also registered with the NYS Department of Labor's job search system and meeting all requirements until your benefits actually end.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Wait so there's nothing after the 26 weeks? That's terrifying. I thought there were extended benefits like during COVID.
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Dylan Cooper
same boat here, my benefits ran out last month and now I'm scrambling. the job market is brutal right now, took me 8 months to find something part time
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Sofia Ramirez
•Did you apply for any other programs when yours ended? I'm trying to figure out what options exist.
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Dmitry Volkov
You should start applying for other assistance immediately. Contact your local Department of Social Services for SNAP benefits and temporary assistance. Also check if you qualify for any workforce development programs through NYS Department of Labor - some have stipends while you're training. Don't wait until your benefits actually end to start this process.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Thanks, I didn't know about the workforce programs. Do you know how to find those on the NYS Department of Labor website?
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StarSeeker
I had such a hard time getting through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor when my benefits ended. Spent weeks trying to call and getting nowhere. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that connects you directly to agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Wish I'd known about it sooner because I could have gotten answers about my options before my benefits actually ran out.
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Ava Martinez
•Never heard of that service but anything's better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected
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Miguel Ortiz
The system is SO broken. They make it impossible to get help when you need it most. I went through this last year and it was a nightmare trying to figure out next steps.
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Paolo Marino
I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. The 26 weeks just end - no automatic extension. What really helped me was applying for SNAP benefits about 3 weeks before my UI ended, and I also looked into local food banks and utility assistance programs through 211 (just dial 2-1-1). The NYS Department of Labor website has a section called "Reemployment Services" that lists training programs, but honestly it's hard to navigate. I ended up going to my local Career Center in person - they were way more helpful than trying to figure it out online. Also check if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs. Don't give up on the job search, but definitely start building that safety net now before the benefits actually stop.
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Isabella Russo
•This is really helpful, thank you for sharing your experience! I'm definitely going to start the SNAP application process now rather than waiting. Did the local Career Center help you find actual job leads or was it more about the training programs? I'm in a similar panic mode and trying to figure out if it's worth the trip to go in person versus just dealing with their website.
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Seraphina Delan
•The Career Center was actually really worth the in-person visit! They helped me with both - they had job leads that weren't posted online yet, and the counselor there walked me through training programs that actually had income support while you're in them. She also helped me apply for a few things I didn't even know existed, like emergency assistance through the county. The website is honestly useless compared to talking to someone face-to-face. I'd say definitely make the trip - bring all your paperwork (ID, proof of income, etc.) and they can help you apply for multiple programs in one visit.
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Miles Hammonds
I'm in a very similar situation - my benefits are ending in about 3 weeks and I'm terrified. Reading through these comments is both helpful and scary. It sounds like the key is to start applying for other assistance NOW rather than waiting. I had no idea there was no automatic extension - I was definitely counting on that. Has anyone had success with the workforce development programs that @Dmitry mentioned? I'm willing to do training if it means getting some kind of income support while I'm in the program. Also going to look into that Claimyr service since calling NYS Department of Labor has been impossible for me too.
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Zara Ahmed
•@Miles, I just went through the workforce development program application process last month! The good news is that some programs do offer income support - I found one through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) that provides a training allowance while you're learning new skills. You have to go through an assessment at your local Career Center to see what you qualify for, but it's definitely worth it. The application process took about 2 weeks for me, so start now! Also, I second starting the SNAP application immediately - mine took almost a month to get approved and I wish I'd started sooner. The uncertainty is terrifying but there are more options than I initially thought, you just have to dig for them.
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Ravi Sharma
I'm going through this exact same situation right now - my benefits end in 10 days and I've been having panic attacks about it. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences, it's really helping me understand what I need to do. I had no idea there were no automatic extensions anymore. I'm going to start my SNAP application tomorrow and call 2-1-1 to see what other assistance programs are available in my area. The idea about going to the Career Center in person sounds really smart - I've been banging my head against their website for weeks with no luck. Does anyone know if the WIOA training programs have income requirements to qualify? I'm worried I might make too much from my remaining UI benefits to be eligible. This whole system feels designed to make you fail, but at least this community is helping me figure out my next steps before I hit zero.
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