What is an exhaustee for unemployment - NYS Department of Labor definition?
I keep seeing the term 'exhaustee' mentioned in various NYS Department of Labor documents and forums but I'm not sure what it means exactly. My regular unemployment benefits are about to run out in two weeks and I'm wondering if this applies to me. Does being an exhaustee mean you can't get any more benefits? Or are there additional programs available? I've been unemployed for 24 weeks now and really need to understand what happens next with my claim status.
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Anastasia Sokolov
An exhaustee in NYS Department of Labor terms is someone who has used up all their regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for their benefit year. In New York, you typically get 26 weeks of regular benefits. Once those are exhausted, you become an 'exhaustee.' This doesn't necessarily mean you're out of options - there may be extended benefit programs available depending on the state's unemployment rate and federal programs.
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Diego Ramirez
•Thanks for explaining! So after my 26 weeks are up, do I automatically get enrolled in extended benefits or do I need to apply separately?
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Sean O'Connor
i think exhaustee just means your done with benefits but im not 100% sure. when my cousin ran out last year he had to file a new claim or something
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Zara Ahmed
The exhaustee status is important because it determines your eligibility for federal extension programs when they're available. Right now in 2025, there aren't any federal extended benefit programs active, but that can change based on economic conditions. You'll want to check your my.ny.gov account regularly and look for any notifications about extended benefits. Also, make sure you're still doing your job search requirements even as an exhaustee in case programs become available.
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Luca Conti
•This is so frustrating! The NYS Department of Labor system makes everything so confusing with all these different statuses and programs.
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Nia Johnson
I had trouble getting clear information about my exhaustee status when I called the NYS Department of Labor directly. The wait times were insane and when I finally got through, the agent wasn't very helpful. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor representative who could explain my options. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Much easier than sitting on hold for hours!
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Diego Ramirez
•How much does that service cost? I'm already struggling financially and can't afford expensive services right now.
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Nia Johnson
•It's designed to be accessible - they focus on helping people get through to NYS Department of Labor agents efficiently rather than charging high fees. Worth checking out their site for current options.
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CyberNinja
Being an exhaustee also affects how you file if you become unemployed again in the future. You might need to establish a new benefit year rather than continuing your old claim. The NYS Department of Labor looks at your earnings history differently for exhaustees versus people who are still within their original benefit year.
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