Expiration of Federal Unemployment and Pandemic Benefits

As of September 5, 2021, several federal unemployment benefit programs have expired across the country, per federal law. The federal benefit programs that have expired include:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
• Extended Benefits (EB)
• $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
• $100 Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits will continue to be paid to eligible claimants. To be considered eligible for UI after September 5, 2021, a claimant must be unemployed AND be in the first 26 weeks (or 104 effective days) of benefits. Claimants can find their effective days remaining in their online Payment History. Because FPUC has expired, any weeks a claimant is eligible to receive UI benefits after September 5, 2021 will no longer include the additional $300 in FPUC.

Claimants apply or reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their current benefit year. Claimants can find their Benefit Year Ending date in their online Payment History. To be eligible for a new UI claim, applicants must:

1.  Have worked and earned enough wages in covered employment.
2. Have lost work due to no fault of their own.
3. Be ready, willing, and able to look for and accept work.

 Applicants who received no wages from covered employment during the past five quarters will not be eligible for a new UI claim.

New Yorkers can use the benefit rate calculator to estimate their weekly UI rate based on earnings. This figure is an estimate.

NYS DOL has several free resources and partnerships available to assist New Yorkers in their job search:  

• Career Services: NYS DOL’s online resources include resume writing tools, interview tips, job postings, and specialized services. Stay tuned for more information about the Virtual Career Center. 
• JobZone: NYS DOL currently has more than 200,000 jobs posted from all regions of the state, and across all industries on JobZone. New Yorkers can utilize job search resources and tools, while searching for jobs.
• Coursera: Unemployed New Yorkers can take thousands of free, online programs and certificate courses through NYS DOL’s partnership with Coursera. 
• SUNY Training: Free skill-building, college prep, and employment certification programs with one-on-one career coaching to help New Yorkers train up.
• Career Fairs & Workshops: NYS DOL continues to hold no-cost virtual workshops and job fairs.

New York’s myBenefits resource highlights available assistance provided by other state programs and services. At mybenefits.ny.gov, New Yorkers can get more information and apply for:

• Food programs (SNAP, WIC, Summer Food Service Program, and more)
• Temporary Assistance (TA)
• Health insurance programs
• Veterans’ benefits
• Services for older New Yorkers
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• Special tax credits, and more.

To access myBenefits or to create an account, New Yorkers muse use a username and password created specifically for myBenefits. You cannot use an account created for another NY.gov application, including unemployment benefits through NYS DOL.

New Yorkers who owe back rent or utilities arrears may qualify for emergency rental assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Visit otda.ny.gov/erap to learn more.