this whole system is rigged against people trying to do better. they want you to work but then make it impossible to survive while you're looking

I went through something similar when I got out 3 years ago. The key thing to understand is that you need to have "qualifying wages" from covered employment - basically jobs where your employer paid unemployment insurance taxes on your behalf. Prison work programs don't count because no UI taxes were paid. However, don't give up! There are workaround programs specifically for formerly incarcerated individuals. Contact your local American Job Center (One-Stop Career Center) - they have federal funding for reentry employment services. Also look into the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, which gives employers incentives to hire people with criminal records. Some temp agencies specialize in helping people with records get that initial work history you need to eventually qualify for UI benefits. The system is frustrating, but there are people out there specifically trained to help navigate these barriers.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I finally got through to someone at DOL this morning (called right when they opened and got lucky I guess). They confirmed what most of you said - my benefit year ended so I need to file a new claim, and the money showing in my Maximum Amount Payable from the old claim isn't accessible anymore. They did say I won't have to pay back the payments I received after my BYE date, which is a relief. Apparently it was an automatic extension that was processing, but I still need to file a new claim for ongoing benefits. I'm filing the new claim today and they said to keep certifying weekly without interruption. The agent estimated it would take 2-3 weeks for the new claim to process. Thanks again for all your help!

So glad you got through and got answers! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with the same confusion. The NY unemployment system really needs to fix that misleading "exhausted benefits" message - it should clearly state "benefit year ended" instead. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, the key takeaways seem to be: 1. BYE date matters more than remaining balance 2. Keep certifying weekly no matter what 3. File a new claim after your BYE date passes 4. Any system-authorized payments after BYE typically don't need to be repaid 5. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks processing time for new claims Thanks for updating us with the resolution! Hopefully your new claim processes smoothly.

Yeah, the agent said if you don't qualify for a new claim, you should: 1. Apply for SNAP benefits if you haven't already 2. Contact your county's DSS about emergency assistance 3. Check with NY Housing for rent assistance programs 4. Visit your local career center for job placement help She also mentioned they have a program to help with retraining if you want to switch industries. I'm looking into that option now.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are ending next week and I'm really stressed about it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the 10x weekly benefit rule or that you could get SNAP while on unemployment. For anyone else who's panicking like I was, it sounds like the key things to do are: 1) Calculate if you earned enough during your benefit year (include ALL W-2 work, even short temp jobs), 2) If you don't qualify for a new claim, apply for SNAP and other assistance programs RIGHT NOW, 3) Use that Claimyr service to actually talk to someone at NYSDOL instead of waiting on hold forever. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official resources are so confusing!

One more thing - if you do quit, file your unemployment claim immediately. Don't wait thinking you need to have everything perfect first. You can submit additional documentation later but there are time limits for filing initial claims.

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - many retail chains do. If you can show you tried using available resources like EAP counseling or stress management programs before quitting, it strengthens your case that you exhausted all options. Also, keep a daily log of incidents with dates, times, and witnesses present. NYS Department of Labor reviewers really want to see a pattern of problems, not just isolated incidents. The more detailed your documentation, the better your chances.

You can also try using the NY.gov online portal to check your claim status and send messages, though they don't always respond quickly to the messages either. Sometimes you can resolve simple issues without having to call at all.

I feel your pain - I was in the exact same situation last month with my weekly certification stuck in pending status. What finally worked for me was calling the Telecert line at 1-888-581-5812 instead of the main customer service number. This line is specifically for weekly claim certifications and tends to have shorter wait times. When you call, press 1 for English, then 1 again for weekly claim certification, and you'll get connected to someone who can actually see what's causing the delay. I called around 2pm on a Wednesday and only waited about 45 minutes. Make sure you have your PIN and last 4 digits of your SSN ready. Hope this helps!