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You should also update your job search log to show that you're no longer actively searching since you accepted employment. This helps keep your records clean with NYS Department of Labor.
Make sure to also check if you need to report any wages earned during your last week of unemployment benefits. Since your job starts Monday, you'll want to be clear about which week was your final week of eligibility. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about accurate wage reporting, so it's better to over-communicate than leave anything unclear when you submit your return to work notification.
That's a really important point about wage reporting. I want to make sure I handle this correctly - should I report any orientation or training pay from my first day even if it's just a few hours? Also, do I need to calculate partial week benefits if I'm only unemployed for part of the week when the job starts? I'd rather be overly cautious with NYS Department of Labor than create any issues.
ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why can't they just make it simple like other states do it?? took me forever to figure out the weekly claim thing too
I totally get the frustration! The weekly claim part tripped me up too when I first filed. You have to certify every week that you're still unemployed and looking for work, even if you haven't heard back about your initial claim yet. It's annoying but once you get into the routine it only takes like 5 minutes each week.
Just want to emphasize what others have said about filing quickly - I made the mistake of waiting a week after my layoff thinking I needed to "settle in" first, and it just delayed everything. The sooner you file with NYS Department of Labor, the sooner that waiting period starts ticking. Also, gather all your employment info beforehand (dates, wages, reason for separation) because the application will ask for specific details and you don't want to have to start over if you're missing something.
This is really helpful advice! I wish I had known about gathering all the employment info beforehand. When you say "specific details" - do you remember what kinds of wage information they ask for? Like do I need pay stubs or will they accept my word for it? I'm trying to get everything together before I file tomorrow.
@Danielle Mays They ll'ask for your gross wages for each quarter in the past 18 months, but you don t'need to have exact pay stubs ready during the application. NYS Department of Labor will verify your wages directly with your employers through their records. Just have approximate amounts and the dates you worked at each job. If you re'unsure about specific wage amounts, it s'better to estimate and let them verify than to delay filing. The most important thing is getting that application in quickly!
I went through this exact same situation last month! The retroactive payments are definitely the best part - you'll get all those weeks you were waiting during adjudication. In my case, I got about 4 weeks of back payments all at once, which was a huge relief. Just be patient with that first deposit, it might take a few extra days because they're processing multiple weeks. After that, the weekly payments come much more regularly. You're through the hardest part now!
That's exactly what I needed to hear! Getting 4 weeks of back payments sounds amazing after all this waiting. I was starting to worry that the adjudication period meant I'd lose out on those weeks, but it sounds like they really do honor all the weekly claims you filed during that time. Thanks for sharing your experience - it gives me hope that this will all work out!
I'm currently going through the adjudication process myself and this thread is so helpful! I've been filing weekly claims for the past 2 weeks while waiting for my determination. It's really reassuring to hear that all those weeks will be paid retroactively once approved. The uncertainty has been stressful, especially not knowing if I'm wasting my time with the weekly filings. @Caden Turner, please keep us updated on how long your first payment takes - it would be great to know what to expect timing-wise!
I'm dealing with something similar and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea there were so many different programs and that they could potentially work together. The gap between unemployment benefits and disability is absolutely crazy - $170/week in NY is basically nothing. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is to cast a wide net and apply for multiple programs simultaneously rather than just focusing on one. I'm definitely going to check with my HR about supplemental disability insurance and look into that Paid Family Leave option too. Has anyone had luck with the appeals process if you get initially denied for disability? I'm worried about the paperwork being filled out correctly the first time since it seems like the doctor's wording makes such a huge difference in whether you get approved. Also, for those who mentioned claimyr.com - is there a similar service for the disability system or do you just have to deal with those phone lines yourself? The unemployment system seems impossible to reach, so I'm assuming disability isn't much better. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. It's making a stressful situation feel a lot more manageable knowing there are actual options out there!
Great questions! I can share some experience with the appeals process - I had to go through it when my initial disability application got denied. The key is getting your doctor to provide much more detailed documentation about your functional limitations, not just the diagnosis. Think specific examples like "unable to sit for more than 30 minutes" rather than just "back pain." As for phone systems, unfortunately there's no claimyr equivalent for disability that I know of. The NY Workers' Compensation Board handles disability claims and their phone system is just as frustrating as unemployment. You pretty much have to keep calling or try early morning/late afternoon when volume might be lower. One tip I learned - if you get denied initially, don't wait to appeal. The timeframes are strict and you want to get that appeal in quickly while gathering better medical documentation. Also consider reaching out to a disability attorney for a consultation if the appeal gets complicated. Many work on contingency so no upfront costs. You're right about casting a wide net - apply for everything you might qualify for simultaneously rather than waiting to see what happens with one program first. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised what you actually qualify for!
Just want to add my two cents as someone who went through this nightmare last year. You absolutely cannot get unemployment while on medical leave - the weekly certification will ask if you're able to work and any honest answer will disqualify you immediately. The real tragedy is how little NY disability pays compared to what you actually need to survive. $170/week is insulting, especially in a high cost of living state like New York. I ended up having to drain my savings while waiting for approvals. A few things that helped me that I haven't seen mentioned yet: 1. Check if your employer has an Employee Resource Group (ERG) for people with disabilities or health issues - they sometimes know about resources HR doesn't advertise 2. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for local assistance programs - they have a database of emergency financial help that most people don't know exists 3. If you have any credit cards with hardship programs, call them BEFORE you miss payments - many will temporarily reduce or pause payments if you explain the medical situation The system is absolutely broken for people dealing with health crises, but there are more safety nets than what's immediately obvious. Don't give up hope - focus on your recovery and piece together what financial help you can find. You'll get through this! 💪
Freya Thomsen
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Missed my appointment on September 18th and completed all the makeup requirements on the 22nd. It's been about 10 days now and my account is still on hold. The anxiety is killing me because I really need those benefits to cover my expenses. But reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me so much hope - it sounds like the 10-12 day timeline that @Diego Vargas mentioned is pretty standard, and most people do get it resolved eventually. I've been following all the advice from this thread: certifying every week even though I'm not getting paid, trying to call right at 8am when they open, and keeping detailed records of everything. Haven't gotten through on the phone yet but I'm not giving up! It's honestly such a relief to know I'm not the only one dealing with this nightmare. The NY unemployment system is so broken but at least we're all supporting each other through it. Thanks @Dylan Wright for starting this thread - it's exactly what I needed to see today! 🙏
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Manny Lark
•@Freya Thomsen I m'literally in the exact same boat! Just missed my appointment last week and completed the makeup requirements 3 days ago. The waiting is so stressful when you re'already struggling financially. But this thread has been such a lifesaver - seeing everyone s'timelines and knowing that most people get it resolved within 2-3 weeks is keeping me sane. I ve'been doing the 8am calling thing too with no luck yet, but I m'going to keep trying. We re'all in this together! The system is terrible but at least we have each other for support. Stay strong! 💪
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Ravi Sharma
I'm going through this exact same situation right now too! Missed my appointment on September 20th and did the makeup requirements on the 24th. It's been about a week and a half now and my account is still on hold. The financial stress is unreal when you're counting on those benefits. But honestly, this thread has been such a blessing to find! Reading everyone's experiences and timelines is giving me so much hope. Sounds like that 10-12 day window @Diego Vargas mentioned is pretty typical, so I'm trying to stay patient even though it's hard. I've been doing everything you all suggested - certifying every week, attempting the 8am phone calls (no luck getting through yet), and documenting everything with dates and times. It's crazy how broken this system is, but at least we're all going through it together and can support each other. The waiting game is brutal but seeing that most people do eventually get their holds lifted is keeping me going. Thanks @Dylan Wright for posting this - it's exactly what I needed to see to know I'm not alone in this mess! Hopefully we'll all get good news soon 🤞
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