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Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation last year when I was laid off from my job. One thing that really helped me was calling the NY State of Health customer service line directly rather than trying to figure it all out online. They were able to walk me through exactly how to report my unemployment income and explained that even though it's temporary income, it still counts toward your annual estimate. They also told me I could update my application anytime if my income situation changed (like if I found a new job or my benefits ended). The whole process was much less stressful once I had someone explain it step by step. Don't be afraid to ask for help - that's what they're there for!
That's really helpful advice about calling the NY State of Health customer service! I've been dreading having to figure this all out on my own. Did you have to wait on hold for a long time when you called? I know some of these government service lines can have really long wait times. Also, when you updated your application after finding a new job, was that process pretty straightforward too? I'm hoping I'll be back to work soon but want to make sure I understand how to handle the transition properly.
I had a similar experience recently - unemployment benefits definitely count as income for marketplace applications. One tip I'd add is to keep track of any temporary earnings you might have while collecting UI (like gig work or part-time jobs) since those need to be reported too. When I applied through NY State of Health, I used my weekly benefit amount multiplied by the number of weeks I expected to collect, plus any other income sources. The application actually has a specific field for unemployment compensation, so they make it pretty clear it needs to be included. Also worth noting that if your income estimate changes significantly (like if you find work sooner than expected), you can log back in and update it to avoid issues at tax time.
This is really comprehensive advice! The point about tracking gig work or part-time earnings alongside unemployment benefits is something I hadn't considered. I've been doing some freelance work here and there while collecting UI, so I need to make sure I include all of that in my income estimate. It's good to know the NY State of Health application has a specific field for unemployment - that should make it less confusing than trying to figure out where to put it. Thanks for the reminder about being able to update the application later too. Better to be accurate from the start but nice to know there's flexibility if things change.
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This whole thread has been incredibly reassuring! I'm actually in NYC and just got approved for unemployment after losing my marketing job two weeks ago. My benefits are similar to yours - about $380/week. I was literally losing sleep worrying about my Medicaid getting cut off, especially since I have a chronic condition that requires regular specialist visits. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has been such a lifesaver. I'm planning to report my unemployment income through the myBenefits app this week - sounds way less stressful than trying to get through on the phone. One thing I'm curious about though - has anyone dealt with reporting unemployment income while also having COBRA offered from their former employer? I'm trying to figure out if I should stick with Medicaid or switch to COBRA, but the costs are so different. Medicaid is basically free for me while COBRA would be like $600/month. Seems like a no-brainer to stay on Medicaid as long as I'm eligible, but wanted to see if anyone else has navigated this decision.
Definitely stick with Medicaid if you're eligible! I was in almost the exact same situation last year - lost my job and had the choice between staying on Medicaid or paying $650/month for COBRA. The math is pretty obvious when you're on unemployment benefits. Plus, Medicaid in NY actually has pretty good coverage for specialists and chronic conditions. The only thing to watch out for is if you find a new job that pays well enough to put you over the Medicaid income limit - then you might want to consider whether your new employer's insurance is better than switching to a marketplace plan. But for now, while you're on unemployment, Medicaid is definitely the way to go. Just make sure to report your unemployment income promptly like everyone else has mentioned. The myBenefits app really is much easier than calling!
I just want to say how grateful I am for this entire thread! I'm dealing with the exact same situation - got laid off from my admin job three weeks ago and just started receiving unemployment benefits of about $320/week. I was absolutely panicking about potentially losing my Medicaid coverage, especially since I have some ongoing medical treatments I can't afford to interrupt. Reading everyone's experiences and practical advice has been such a huge relief. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when you have real people sharing what actually worked for them rather than trying to decode government websites. I'm definitely going to report my unemployment income through the myBenefits app this week - the step-by-step guidance from people who've actually used it makes it feel so much less intimidating. And I love all the documentation tips - screenshots, certified mail receipts, keeping records of everything. You've all turned what felt like navigating a bureaucratic nightmare into something manageable. Thank you for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!
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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.
Hey Isaiah! There actually isn't a waiting period anymore in NY - they eliminated that back in 2020. You should start getting benefits for your first eligible week if your claim is approved. As for employment verification, NYS Department of Labor does reach out to employers but it usually happens after you've already started receiving benefits, not before. They'll send your employer a notice about your claim and the employer has a chance to respond if they want to contest it. The initial approval is usually based on the wage information they already have on file from your employer's quarterly reports. Just make sure all your employment dates and wages are accurate when you file!
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.
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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.
From what I understand, they typically don't audit job search records unless there are specific red flags or if you're selected for a random review (which is pretty rare). The key is just being consistent and genuine in your efforts. I keep a simple spreadsheet with the date, company name, position title, and how I applied (online, in person, etc.). Most people I know who've been on UI have never been asked to provide their records, but having them organized gives you peace of mind and shows you're taking it seriously. The fact that you're already thinking about proper documentation shows you're approaching this the right way. Good luck with your transition next Friday!
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.
This is such valuable information about the vocational rehabilitation services! I had no idea that was even an option while collecting UI benefits. That could be a game-changer for people like us who are dealing with permanent or long-term work restrictions after an injury. I'm definitely going to look into my local One-Stop Career Center - it makes so much sense to explore retraining options rather than just trying to find a light-duty version of my old job. The idea of having both UI support AND professional guidance for finding work that actually fits my new limitations is really appealing. Thanks for bringing this up - it's exactly the kind of resource I wouldn't have known to look for on my own!
Yuki Tanaka
I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! Got offered a position that's $9/hour less than my previous job, completely different industry, and about 50 minutes each way. After reading all these responses, I feel much more confident about refusing it. What really helped me was calculating the actual cost - between gas, car maintenance, and the time investment for that commute, plus the massive pay cut, I'd actually be losing money compared to staying on unemployment and continuing to search in my field. I'm documenting everything like everyone suggested: the original offer details, salary comparison, commute costs breakdown, and my lack of relevant experience for this type of work. It's so helpful to see that multiple people have been in similar situations and NYS Department of Labor was reasonable about it. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is going to save me a lot of anxiety when I file my weekly claim!
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Rhett Bowman
•You're absolutely right about calculating the actual costs! I'm new to unemployment benefits and just joined this community after stumbling across this incredibly helpful thread. I never thought to break down the commute expenses like that - it really puts things in perspective when you realize you might actually lose money taking an unsuitable job. Your situation sounds almost identical to what the original poster described. It's so reassuring to see how many people have successfully navigated this with NYS Department of Labor by simply being thorough with documentation and having valid reasons. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion in case I find myself in a similar position. Thanks for adding your perspective!
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Keisha Johnson
I'm new to this community and currently 5 weeks into my unemployment claim. This thread has been incredibly helpful as I'm facing a similar dilemma - I just received a job offer that's $10/hour less than my previous position and requires skills I don't have in an industry I've never worked in. The commute would be about 55 minutes each way. Reading everyone's experiences has given me so much confidence that I can refuse this offer without jeopardizing my benefits. What really opened my eyes was learning about all the specific factors NYS Department of Labor considers for "suitable work" - I had no idea length of unemployment and prospects in your usual field were part of the evaluation. I'm going to follow the advice here: document the offer details, calculate the real costs (gas, time, wear and tear), explain my lack of relevant experience, and continue actively searching in my field. It's amazing how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences with refusing unsuitable job offers - this has saved me from making a potentially costly mistake!
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Sarah Ali
•Welcome to the community! Your situation sounds very similar to what many of us have faced, and I'm glad this thread has been helpful. A $10/hour pay cut plus nearly an hour commute each way in a field you have no experience in definitely sounds like textbook unsuitable work. I'm relatively new here too but have learned so much from everyone's shared experiences. It's really encouraging to see how reasonable NYS Department of Labor has been when people have valid documentation and clear reasons for refusal. The cost calculation approach that others mentioned is brilliant - when you factor in gas, vehicle wear, and lost time, taking that job might actually put you in a worse financial position than continuing your search. Best of luck with your claim, and don't hesitate to ask if you have other questions!
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