I just went through this exact same situation in February and wanted to share what worked for me. After my UI benefits exhausted, I was panicking about rent too. Here's what helped me get through: 1. Applied for emergency rental assistance through my county's DSS office - got approved for 3 months of rent within 2 weeks 2. Started doing Uber Eats immediately while job hunting - not amazing money but helped with groceries and gas 3. Got connected to a local food pantry through 211 - saved me probably $200/week on groceries 4. Applied for LIHEAP (energy assistance) which covered my electric bill for several months The key thing is to apply for EVERYTHING at once, don't wait. Most assistance programs understand that people exhaust UI benefits and they're set up to help bridge that gap. Also, temp agencies can be surprisingly helpful right now - I got a 3-week assignment that turned into a permanent offer. I know it feels overwhelming but you're taking all the right steps by reaching out here and exploring options. The job market is tough but there are more safety nets available than most people realize. You've got this! 🙏

I'm new to this community but going through something similar - my benefits just ran out last week and I'm honestly terrified. Reading through everyone's responses here has been so helpful though! I had no idea about programs like 211, mutual aid groups, or that libraries have job search resources. One thing I wanted to add that helped me this week was reaching out to local churches and community centers, even if you're not religious. Many have emergency assistance funds or know about resources that aren't well advertised. The community center near me connected me with a local nonprofit that helps with utilities and groceries while people are between jobs. Also, @Luis Johnson - you mentioned documenting your job search, which is smart. I've been using a simple Google Doc to track applications, but I just learned that some workforce development programs give you points or priority for having detailed records of your search efforts. Might be worth organizing everything you've already done in case opportunities come up later. This thread has given me so much hope and practical steps to take. Thank you everyone for being so generous with your advice and experiences! 💙

Keep in mind that if you do qualify for a new benefit year, your weekly benefit amount might be different since it's calculated from your most recent wage history. Also make sure you're still meeting all the job search requirements even between claims.

@Mateo Sanchez - I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. First thing you should do is log into your my.ny.gov account and check your "Benefit Year" dates - it'll show when your current benefit year ends. If it's been a full year since you first filed, you might be eligible for a new benefit year if you worked enough during that time. The key is whether you have sufficient wages in quarters that weren't used for your original claim calculation. Even if you only worked part-time or had a brief job during your benefit year, those wages could potentially qualify you for a new claim. Don't give up - many people don't realize they might be eligible for a second benefit year!

The whole system is rigged against small businesses IMO. We pay these huge taxes and then when we actually need to contest a fraudulent claim it takes months to get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor. Meanwhile our rates keep going up because of claims we shouldn't even be charged for!

For what it's worth, you can also appeal your experience rating if you think it's incorrect. I had to do this once when claims from a previous business acquisition were incorrectly attributed to our account. The process isn't fun but it's possible to get adjustments made. Just make sure you have good documentation of your payroll and employment records. The key is understanding that the system is meant to be self-balancing - employers who rarely have claims subsidize those who have more frequent layoffs.

Yes, there are separate penalties for late filing and late payment with NYS Department of Labor. Even if you file your quarterly report on time, you'll still face interest charges and penalties if you don't pay the taxes owed by the deadline. The interest rate is set by the state and compounds daily, so it adds up quickly. I learned this the hard way when I had a cash flow issue one quarter - filed on time but paid a week late and got hit with both interest and a penalty fee. It's worth setting up automatic payments or at least calendar reminders to avoid these extra costs.

For penalty specifics, NYS Department of Labor typically charges 1% per month for late payments (with a minimum penalty) plus daily compound interest that's adjusted periodically. The exact rates can change so check their current penalty schedule. As for automatic payments, you can set them up through the NY.gov online services portal once you have your employer account established - look for the "Online Services" section on the DOL website. You'll need your employer registration number to access it. I'd recommend calling them to confirm the current penalty structure since rates can shift annually, and having that direct confirmation helps with your budgeting planning.

I went through this same situation a few months ago - also got denied for "misconduct" when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. I ended up hiring a lawyer and it was worth every penny. The attorney knew exactly what evidence to request from my former employer and how to present my case. We won the appeal and I got all my back benefits. If you're worried about cost, many lawyers will work on contingency for unemployment cases or offer payment plans. Don't let your employer's false misconduct claim stand - fight it!

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this myself. One thing I learned is that NYS has legal aid organizations that offer free or low-cost help with unemployment appeals if you qualify based on income. The Legal Aid Society and some local bar associations have programs specifically for unemployment cases. Also, if you do decide to represent yourself, make sure to request all the documents your employer submitted with their misconduct claim - you have a right to see their evidence before the hearing. The fact that your termination letter mentions budget cuts should work strongly in your favor. Document everything and don't be afraid to ask the hearing officer to clarify anything you don't understand during the process.