Thanks for all this info everyone! I'm actually in a similar boat - been working in customer service for about 2 years making around $45K. One thing I'm wondering about is the waiting period. I heard there might be a one-week waiting period before benefits start? Also, does anyone know if they verify employment with your previous employer right away, or does that happen later in the process? Want to make sure I have realistic expectations for timing.

Your part-time to full-time transition shouldn't be an issue as long as you meet the minimum earnings requirements. NYS Department of Labor needs you to have earned at least $2,600 in your highest quarter and total earnings of at least $3,900 in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). With 3 years of work history including that full-time period, you should easily qualify. The system automatically pulls your wage data from employer reports, so they'll see your entire work history. Just be prepared - the online application can be glitchy during peak times, so try filing early in the morning or late evening for better luck getting through.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now - my disability benefits end next Friday and I've been really stressed about making sure there's no gap in coverage. After reading through all these responses, I feel so much more prepared and confident about the process. I had no idea that being terminated while on disability would actually help my UI case rather than hurt it, so that's a huge relief since my employer also "restructured" me out while I was recovering from surgery. I'm going to follow everyone's advice about filing immediately when my disability ends and making sure I have all my documentation organized. One question I have is about the work search verification - do they typically audit your job applications randomly, or is it more likely if there are red flags in your claim? I want to make sure I'm keeping the right level of detail in my records.

I'm actually going through this transition right now - my disability benefits end in about 10 days and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I want to add based on my research is that you should also check if you qualify for any job retraining programs through the Department of Labor while you're collecting UI benefits. Since you've been out of work for 8 months due to your injury, you might be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services that could help you transition into work that better accommodates your physical restrictions. I found out about this through my local One-Stop Career Center, and they have counselors who specialize in helping people with disabilities or work-related injuries find suitable employment. It's worth looking into since it could expand your job options beyond just light duty versions of what you did before. The combination of UI benefits plus access to retraining or job placement services designed for people with work limitations could really strengthen your position in the job market.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I wanted to visit family in Texas for 10 days while collecting unemployment. After doing a ton of research and reading NYS DOL guidelines, I decided to be completely transparent and not claim benefits for the entire period I was away. Here's why: the "able and available for work" requirement isn't just about being physically present - it means you could realistically accept a job offer or attend an interview on short notice. Being in another state for a week clearly doesn't meet that standard. When I resumed filing after my trip, NYS DOL processed everything normally with no questions asked. I lost about $600 in benefits, but it was absolutely worth the peace of mind. My advice based on personal experience: don't claim for any days you're in Florida, keep documentation of your job search activities while away (apply to remote positions if possible), and resume filing normally when you return. NYS DOL actually respects when you're honest about availability rather than trying to game the system.

I'm also dealing with this exact situation right now - planning to visit my cousin in Orlando for about a week while on unemployment. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially hearing from people like @Sophie Hernandez, @Edward McBride, and @Zainab Ibrahim who actually went through this and shared their detailed approaches. The consensus seems pretty clear: if you can't realistically be available for work (meaning you couldn't fly back immediately for an interview or start a job), don't claim benefits for those days. I was initially worried about losing a week of benefits, but after seeing how many people had zero issues when they resumed filing after voluntary gaps, I'm convinced this is the right approach. Better to be conservative with NYS DOL than risk overpayment problems later. Has anyone here had experience with longer trips (like 2+ weeks) and how that affected their claims?

I just went through this process with my 17-year-old nephew last year when he lost his job at a local retail store. One thing I'd recommend is calling the restaurant where your daughter worked to confirm they properly reported all her wages and tips to the state - sometimes smaller restaurants can be inconsistent with their reporting. Also, when she files online, have her Social Security card, work permit (if she had one), and at least 3 months of recent pay stubs ready before starting the application. The system will ask for specific employer details like the restaurant's federal ID number, so you might want to call them for that info too. The whole process took about 2 weeks from application to first payment for my nephew, and he was able to collect benefits while still attending school full-time. Just make sure she's prepared to actively job hunt and document her search efforts - that's the part they really scrutinize!

My 16-year-old just went through this exact process last month after getting laid off from a local pizza place. The application itself is pretty straightforward, but I'd suggest gathering all her documents first - pay stubs, Social Security card, and any work permits. One thing that really helped us was creating an email dedicated just for her unemployment correspondence since they send a lot of updates and requests for information. Also, don't stress too much about the wage credit calculation - the system automatically figures that out based on what employers reported. The hardest part was honestly just getting her motivated to do the required job searches each week, but once she got into a routine it became second nature. The benefits weren't huge given her part-time hours, but it definitely helped cover some of her expenses while she found her next job. Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions about the process!

The system is so confusing with all these overlapping rules. I think as long as you're honest about everything and report all your income you should be fine. Just document everything in case they ask questions later.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. The key thing is getting proper medical documentation from your doctor stating what type of work you can perform with your limitations. NYS DOL will want to see that you're genuinely able to work within certain restrictions, not just that you want to try working. I'd also recommend keeping detailed records of your job search efforts focused specifically on positions that match your physical capabilities - this helps prove you're "available for work" within your limitations. The process took about 3 weeks for them to review my case, but I was eventually approved for both benefits simultaneously.