When does NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits end - need clarity on my claim duration
I've been collecting unemployment for about 18 weeks now and I'm starting to panic about when my benefits will run out. My claim balance shows around $2,800 left but I have no idea how many more weeks I can collect. The NYS Department of Labor website isn't clear about this and I can't get through on the phone. Does anyone know exactly when unemployment benefits end? Is it based on weeks or dollar amount? I'm so confused and worried I'll suddenly lose my benefits without warning.
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Declan Ramirez
In New York, regular unemployment benefits last for 26 weeks maximum. Since you've been collecting for 18 weeks, you have about 8 weeks left regardless of your remaining balance. The system will stop paying when you hit either 26 weeks OR exhaust your benefit amount, whichever comes first.
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A Man D Mortal
•Thank you! So even if I have money left in my account after 26 weeks, I can't collect anymore? That's what I was worried about.
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Emma Morales
wait i thought it was based on how much money you earned before?? ive been on for 22 weeks and still have like $1500 left
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Declan Ramirez
•Your benefit amount is calculated from your earnings, but the 26-week limit is separate. You'll stop getting benefits at 26 weeks even if you have money remaining in your account.
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Katherine Hunter
The 26-week rule is pretty strict. I ran into this same issue last year - had about $800 left when I hit my 26th week and that was it. Make sure you're actively job searching because they can extend benefits sometimes during high unemployment periods, but that's rare now.
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A Man D Mortal
•I've been doing my job searches every week and logging them. Do you know if there are any programs that help after regular UI ends?
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Lucas Parker
I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact question. Kept getting hung up on after waiting 2+ hours. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. The agent confirmed my benefit end date and explained some job training programs I could apply for.
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Donna Cline
•Never heard of that service but honestly anything is better than trying to call NYS Department of Labor directly. Their phone system is a nightmare.
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A Man D Mortal
•I might try that if I need to talk to someone before my benefits end. Thanks for sharing!
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Harper Collins
THIS SYSTEM IS SO FRUSTRATING!! Why can't they just send us a clear notice with our end date?? I've been stressed about this for weeks and had to figure it out myself by counting backwards from my claim start date. NYS Department of Labor needs to do better with communication!
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Emma Morales
•seriously! i shouldnt have to do math to figure out when my benefits end
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Kelsey Hawkins
You should be able to see your claim end date somewhere in your my.ny.gov account. Check under the claim details section. Mine showed both my benefit year end date and when I'd hit 26 weeks.
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A Man D Mortal
•I'll look for that - I might have missed it in all the confusing information on that site.
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