Title: What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York? > Keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business full time, with no work search and business income not deducted. You need 13+ weeks of ben Source: https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/sea-ny/ Checked: 25 September 2026 Keep an incomeJob search until approved # What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York? Keep your weekly unemployment benefit while you start a business full time, with no work search and business income not deducted. You need 13+ weeks of benefits left, a profiling score of 50 or more, and written acceptance before you start. ## The key facts - Weekly amount = your unemployment benefit ($140 to $869 in 2026) - Up to 26 weeks of unemployment and SEAP combined in your benefit year - At least 20 hours of entrepreneurial training and 2 meetings with a business counselor - Once per lifetime; the law is due to end on 7 December 2027 unless renewed ## Before you’re approved Job search required ### Job search Until you are accepted in writing, you are on regular unemployment: keep searching for work every week. ### What you must do to keep getting it - You need 13+ weeks of benefits left and a profiling score of 50+ (or an invitation letter). Watch the orientation video, then apply in your NY.gov account. - Do NOT start trading before written acceptance. **If you take or turn down a job:** Refusing suitable work can disqualify you from benefits. Only apply for jobs you would take. ## While you’re on it No job search required ### Job search Once accepted, the work search, availability and job-refusal rules are waived. You work full time on the business. ### What you must do to keep getting it - Keep certifying every week and complete the required training and counseling. - Missing training or milestones can cost you weeks of benefit or your place. ### If you earn money Your weekly benefit isn’t reduced by what your business earns. Keep certifying and reporting as your state asks. **If you take or turn down a job:** Taking a job ends Self-Employment Assistance; report it when you certify. ## The other route You can’t be on both at once. Compare them before you choose. - [What is Unemployment insurance while you look for work?Your state pays unemployment insurance while you look for work. You search for work every week and report any …](https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/ui-searching/)[Compare side by side →](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/sea-ny-vs-ui-searching/) ## Add this to my plan We’ll track your must-dos and deadlines for you, and keep your job-search record. [Add this to my plan](https://pontia.xyz/us/start/?from=guide&scheme=us-sea-ny&status=applying&state=NY) Free forever · No card · No hidden charges Sources, checked September 25, 2026 - [dol.ny.gov/SEAP](https://dol.ny.gov/SEAP) - [law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/3306](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/3306) - [oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/Factsheet\_SEA.pdf](https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/Factsheet_SEA.pdf) This guide explains the official rules in plain words. It isn’t advice about your own claim: your adviser decides. Not a government service. Not financial, tax or legal advice. Cite this page "What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/sea-ny/ (updated September 25, 2026) ## Related guides and tools - [Start your business without risking your benefits](https://pontia.xyz/us/) - [Your unemployment work search log, done in minutes](https://pontia.xyz/us/unemployment-work-search-log/) - [Start a business on unemployment: your state](https://pontia.xyz/us/self-employment-assistance-calculator/) - [Between school and work? Build something that’s yours.](https://pontia.xyz/us/young-people/) - [US Unemployment Work Search Index 2026](https://pontia.xyz/us/datasets/us-work-search-index/) - [US federal support for starting a business in figures, 2026](https://pontia.xyz/us/datasets/us-startup-support/) - [Unemployment insurance while you look for work vs Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-ny/) - [Unemployment insurance while you look for work vs Self-Employment Assistance, Oregon](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-or/) - [Unemployment insurance while you look for work vs Self-Employment Assistance Program, Mississippi](https://pontia.xyz/us/compare/ui-searching-vs-sea-ms/) --- Pontia is free and independent. It is not a government service and not financial, tax, legal or benefits advice; always check the official source linked on the page. Some tool links are affiliate links: we may earn a fee at no cost to you, and free options come first. Contact: hello@pontia.xyz Cite as: "What is Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), New York?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/us/guide/sea-ny/ (updated 25 September 2026) Whole site in one file: https://pontia.xyz/llms-full.txt