What happens when my husband's NY unemployment ends next week? Restaurant jobs still scarce
My husband has been out of work for about 14 months now. He's been applying for jobs constantly - at least 3-4 applications every single day. He's worked in restaurants his whole life (mostly as a line cook) and that industry is still struggling where we live. His unemployment benefits are supposed to end next week and we're starting to panic. He's had a few interviews but nothing has panned out yet. Does anyone know what happens after his benefits run out? Is there any way to extend them or apply for something else? Or is he just completely cut off? We've been barely making ends meet with the current benefits and I'm worried about how we're going to pay rent next month. The job market for restaurant workers here is still terrible even though places claim they're hiring. They either don't call back or only offer like 10 hours a week which isn't enough. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We're getting desperate.
44 comments
Daniel White
Unfortunately once benefits end, they end. There's no extending them beyond the cutoff date. Your husband will need to find some kind of work - maybe look at jobs outside restaurants? Grocery stores, warehouses, delivery services are all hiring and often pay decent. It's not ideal but it's income while he keeps looking for restaurant work.
0 coins
Abigail Patel
Thanks for the reply. Yea he's started applying to warehouses this week actually. Just worried because his entire resume is kitchen work for the last 12 years.
0 coins
27d
Nolan Carter
Tell him to really lean into his time management and high-pressure skills from kitchen work when interviewing for warehouse jobs. Those translate REALLY well.
0 coins
26d
Abigail Patel
That's a good idea, I'll definitely mention that to him!
0 coins
25d
Write a comment...
Natalia Stone
I was in a similar situation back in April. Couldn't get through to anyone at ny unemployment and was freaking out about my benefits ending. I discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual person at unemployment who helped extend my benefits. Talking to an agent got my situation resolved in like 20 minutes after months of stress. Here's a video about how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
0 coins
Tasia Synder
Is this actually real? Seems sketch that some random service can get through when no one else can 🤔
0 coins
26d
Natalia Stone
Yeah it's 100% real. They have some kind of system that stays on hold for you then calls you when they get through. It works exactly like they say. The agent I talked to helped me figure out my options after my regular benefits were about to end.
0 coins
24d
Selena Bautista
another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol
0 coins
23d
Natalia Stone
I get the skepticism, but it literally saved me from eviction. All they do is wait on hold so you don't have to. When they get through, they connect you. It's that simple.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Mohamed Anderson
Your husband should apply for SNAP benefits ASAP if you havent already. That will at least help with food costs. Also check with local community action agencies - many have rental assistance programs right now. And depending on your income, you might qualify for emergency assistance through DSS.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Ellie Perry
The restaurant industry is BRUTAL right now. My cousin owns a small place and cant even find staff but also cant afford to pay more than $14/hr which isnt enough for most people. Its a mess all around. Tell your husband to look into food delivery apps or grocery delivery in the meantime. Not great money but at least something while he keeps looking.
0 coins
Abigail Patel
Yeah its really bad. He actually tried DoorDash for a week but barely made enough to cover gas. Might try Instacart next.
0 coins
26d
Ellie Perry
Instacart is better in my experience. Also try Amazon Flex if its available in your area.
0 coins
24d
Write a comment...
Landon Morgan
To directly answer your question: once benefits end next week, that's it unfortunately. There's no recertification process. The entire federal program ends. Your husband will need to find employment or apply for other assistance programs.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Teresa Boyd
Look, I hate to be that person, but he needs to expand beyond restaurants IMMEDIATELY. I was a server for 10 years and had to completely switch careers when covid hit. It sucked but now I work in customer service remotely and make more than I did serving. Kitchen experience transferrs well to all kinds of jobs - factory work, facilities maintenance, even some entry level construction gigs.
0 coins
Lourdes Fox
👆 THIS. Restaurant skills are actually super valuable in other industries. Time management, working under pressure, multitasking, dealing with difficult people...
0 coins
24d
Abigail Patel
Thanks for this perspective. He's been resistant to looking outside food service but I think he's finally realizing he has no choice.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Bruno Simmons
After struggling with ny unemployment for MONTHS, I can tell you the best thing you can do is actually talk to a real person at the office. They might be able to advise on other programs or help. But getting through is IMPOSSIBLE. I finally used claimyr.com after seeing it mentioned on this sub and they got me through to an agent in a few hours. Best money I ever spent to get my issues fixed.
0 coins
Aileen Rodriguez
wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS?
0 coins
24d
Bruno Simmons
It absolutely works. I was super skeptical too but was desperate. They basically have a system that dials and waits on hold for you, then calls you when they get a human. Saved me literally days of being on hold.
0 coins
23d
Zane Gray
I used the same service too! The unemployment agent I finally spoke to told me about some job training programs that might be available. Might be worth asking about!
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Maggie Martinez
I'm in the EXACT same boat!!!! My benefits end next week too and I've been applying everywhere. It's like no one actually wants to hire despite all the "help wanted" signs. I'm calling the unemployment office tomorrow to see if there's anything else available after the cutoff but not holding my breath. This whole system is so broken.
0 coins
Alejandro Castro
Good luck getting through on the phone 🙄 I tried calling for 3 weeks straight and never got past the hold music.
0 coins
23d
Maggie Martinez
great just what I needed to hear ðŸ˜
0 coins
23d
Monique Byrd
Try claimyr.com - they'll get you through to someone. That's how I finally got answers about my claim.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Jackie Martinez
OMG I FEEL THIS POST SO MUCH. My husband is also a restaurant worker (bartender) and has only been able to find part time work which isn't enough. Been on partial unemployment but that's ending too. The whole "nobody wants to work" narrative is such BS. People want LIVABLE WAGES and CONSISTENT HOURS. Why would someone take a job that doesn't even cover childcare costs?!?!
0 coins
Lia Quinn
FACTS 💯
0 coins
23d
Haley Stokes
Preach! I was offered a "full time" position that was actually 25-30 hours a week with no set schedule. How am I supposed to live on that or plan anything??
0 coins
23d
Jackie Martinez
exactly!! And they act surprised when people turn down these garbage offers
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Asher Levin
Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what your husband should do when benefits end next week: 1. Apply for SNAP benefits immediately if you haven't already - this will help with food costs 2. Contact your local Department of Social Services about emergency assistance programs - many counties have rental assistance available right now 3. Look into New York's workforce development programs - they offer free job training and placement services in growth industries 4. Consider jobs that utilize restaurant skills in different settings: food production, institutional kitchens (schools, hospitals), grocery store prepared foods sections 5. Apply for hardship programs with your utility companies to prevent service shutoffs 6. If you're struggling to reach someone at unemployment to discuss options, I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they'll get you through to a live agent who can advise on any available extensions or alternative programs 7. Check with local food banks and community assistance programs - many have expanded services due to the pandemic 8. Have him register with multiple temp agencies - they often have immediate placement opportunities This is a really tough situation, but there are resources available. The key is talking to an actual unemployment representative about his specific situation to see if there are any extensions or programs he might qualify for based on his work history.
0 coins
Abigail Patel
Thank you so much for this detailed response. Going to work through this list today.
0 coins
23d
Serene Snow
This is all great advice. I'd add that now is also a good time to look at any kind of skill development that could help with career transition. NY has some free online training programs.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Issac Nightingale
Have him apply to Whole Foods. They're desperate for workers in the prepared foods section and actively recruit people with restaurant experience. My brother just got hired there after 10 years as a line cook and actually makes more now with better benefits.
0 coins
Write a comment...
Romeo Barrett
unpopular opinion but hes gonna need to take whatever he can get right now, even if its not ideal. better to have some income than none while he continues looking for something better. amazon is always hiring warehouse workers and the pay is decent.
0 coins
Marina Hendrix
harsh but true. sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
0 coins
23d
Abigail Patel
Yeah we're at that point now. He has an interview at Target tomorrow.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Justin Trejo
If you need information directly from ny unemployment about what happens when benefits end, good luck reaching them. The phone system is a nightmare. I spent 8 days trying before I found claimyr.com - they got me a callback from an agent in hours. The agent told me about some programs I might qualify for that weren't even on the website.
0 coins
Alana Willis
not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work
0 coins
23d
Justin Trejo
So I was about to throw my phone after 3 hours on hold when my friend told me about this. It's not a hack, they literally just wait on hold so you don't have to, then connect you when they get a real person. Helped me solve issues with my claim that had been pending for weeks.
0 coins
23d
Tyler Murphy
I can vouch for this too. Used them last month after trying for WEEKS to get through myself. Finally got my backpay sorted out.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Sara Unger
Dont forget that NY has the 599 program where you can keep your benefits while taking approved training courses. Might be worth looking into if he wants to learn a new skill while job hunting. You need to apply for it though.
0 coins
Abigail Patel
I've never heard of this! Do you know where we can find more info?
0 coins
23d
Sara Unger
Here's the link: https://dol.ny.gov/599-program - but you need to talk to a rep to actually get approved for it. It's one of those hidden benefits they don't advertise much.
0 coins
23d
Write a comment...
Butch Sledgehammer
Your husband should check if he qualifies for the 13-week Extended Benefits program in NY. Not everyone is eligible but worth checking. You HAVE to call and talk to a rep to find out though, which is a nightmare unless you use a service like claimyr to get through.
0 coins
Write a comment...