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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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26d

Abigail Patel

That's a good idea, I'll definitely mention that to him!

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25d

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

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Tasia Synder

Is this actually real? Seems sketch that some random service can get through when no one else can 🤔

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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.

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24d

Selena Bautista

another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol

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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.

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23d

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.

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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.

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Abigail Patel

Yeah its really bad. He actually tried DoorDash for a week but barely made enough to cover gas. Might try Instacart next.

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26d

Ellie Perry

Instacart is better in my experience. Also try Amazon Flex if its available in your area.

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24d

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.

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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.

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Lourdes Fox

👆 THIS. Restaurant skills are actually super valuable in other industries. Time management, working under pressure, multitasking, dealing with difficult people...

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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.

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23d

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.

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Aileen Rodriguez

wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS?

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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.

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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!

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23d

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.

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Alejandro Castro

Good luck getting through on the phone 🙄 I tried calling for 3 weeks straight and never got past the hold music.

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23d

Maggie Martinez

great just what I needed to hear 😭

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23d

Monique Byrd

Try claimyr.com - they'll get you through to someone. That's how I finally got answers about my claim.

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23d

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?!?!

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Lia Quinn

FACTS 💯

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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??

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23d

Jackie Martinez

exactly!! And they act surprised when people turn down these garbage offers

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23d

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.

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Abigail Patel

Thank you so much for this detailed response. Going to work through this list today.

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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.

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23d

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.

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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.

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Marina Hendrix

harsh but true. sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

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23d

Abigail Patel

Yeah we're at that point now. He has an interview at Target tomorrow.

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23d

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.

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Alana Willis

not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work

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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.

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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.

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23d

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.

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Abigail Patel

I've never heard of this! Do you know where we can find more info?

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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.

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23d

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.

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