I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. The confusion here is understandable because there are actually multiple programs that might apply depending on your specific circumstances. While you're correct that traditional unemployment benefits likely won't work due to the "able and available" requirement, New York has several other options worth exploring: 1. **Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)** - If your medical leave qualifies, this provides partial wage replacement 2. **Paid Family Leave (PFL)** - If caring for a family member or bonding with a new child 3. **Workers' Compensation** - If your medical condition is work-related The key is determining which program fits your situation. I'd recommend calling the NYS Department of Labor's Disability Benefits line specifically (not the general UI line) as they can walk you through eligibility for these alternative programs. You can also check if your employer offers any supplemental disability benefits through their insurance carrier. Don't give up - there are likely options available, just not traditional unemployment benefits.

I was in a very similar situation about 8 months ago - unpaid medical leave with a guaranteed return position. After going through all the confusion and dead ends with regular UI, I ended up applying for TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance) and it was a lifesaver. The process was much smoother than I expected once I got connected to the right department. You'll need documentation from your doctor, but if your medical condition is what's preventing you from working, TDI is designed exactly for this scenario. The payments aren't as much as unemployment would be, but it's something to help cover expenses during your recovery. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - the disability benefits staff were actually really helpful walking me through everything once I reached them.

ugh the whole system is so confusing for students. why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere instead of making us guess

Maya, you should definitely apply! As a student, you can absolutely qualify for unemployment in NY as long as you meet the work history requirements (which sounds like you do with 8 months of work) and can show you're available for work that fits your schedule. The key things to remember: 1) You need to actively search for jobs that work around your class times, 2) Keep detailed records of your job applications, and 3) Be honest about your availability when you file. Since you were working 25 hours/week while in school, that shows you can balance both. Don't let your student status discourage you from applying - it's about availability for work, not whether you're in school.

Just went through this process myself! NY does backdate to your last day of work BUT only if you can prove when you lost your job and have a valid reason for the delay in filing. I had a 10-day gap between losing my job and filing my claim, and they approved the full backpay after I submitted my termination email and explained I was trying to figure out the process first. Don't stress too much - just gather your documentation (last paystub, termination notice, even emails work) and be honest about why there was a delay when you talk to them. The key is filing ASAP from now and being prepared to explain the gap.

The backdating policy can be confusing but here's what I learned from my experience: NY will backdate to your actual separation date IF you can document it properly. The key things that helped me get approved were: 1) Having my final paycheck stub showing the last pay period, 2) A clear explanation that I was gathering info before filing (they understand people need time to research), and 3) Filing as soon as I understood the process. Don't let anyone scare you about losing weeks - just make sure you have some kind of documentation of your last day and a reasonable explanation for any delay. The worst thing you can do is wait even longer to file!

I'm in the exact same situation - my accountant left me with a pile of forms and no guidance! This thread has been a lifesaver. I've been stressing about the NYS-45 for weeks, thinking I was missing something obvious. It's really comforting to know so many others have navigated this successfully after being left to figure it out alone. I'm definitely going to follow the systematic approach everyone outlined: get the current NYS-45 from the NYS Department of Labor website, check my UI rate in the employer portal, organize my payroll records, and work through those line-by-line instructions. The SCORE mentor suggestion is brilliant too - I had no idea that free help was available. Thanks everyone for turning what felt like an impossible task into something manageable!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! My accountant disappeared three weeks ago and left me with a stack of forms including the NYS-45 that I've been too intimidated to even open. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I was starting to think I was the only small business owner who felt completely lost with unemployment tax paperwork. The step-by-step approach everyone's outlined sounds so much more manageable than trying to figure it all out at once. I'm definitely going to start by downloading the current NYS-45 form and instructions from the NYS Department of Labor website this weekend, then work through checking my UI rate and organizing my payroll records. The suggestion about SCORE mentors is fantastic too - I had no idea free help was available for situations like this. Thank you all for turning what felt like an insurmountable problem into something I can actually tackle!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just completed my ID verification with NYS Department of Labor yesterday and already seeing "adjudication in progress" with all my weekly claims showing $0. I was starting to worry something went wrong, but after reading through all these detailed timelines everyone has shared, I feel so much better knowing this 1-3 week waiting period after ID verification is completely normal. It's amazing how consistent everyone's experiences are - most people seeing status changes around the 2-week mark really gives me realistic expectations. I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts that were mentioned and try to be patient instead of obsessively checking my account. This thread is incredibly helpful - thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences! It makes such a difference knowing we're all going through the same process and that those back payments do eventually come through.

I'm in the exact same position as you right now! Just completed my ID verification with NYS Department of Labor 9 days ago and still stuck on "adjudication in progress" with all my weekly claims showing $0. I was getting really worried that something was wrong with my claim, but reading through everyone's timelines here is incredibly reassuring. It seems like the 1-3 week wait after ID verification is completely normal, with most people seeing changes around the 2-week mark. I've been continuing to certify my weekly claims even though they show $0 amounts, and I just set up text alerts so I stop obsessively checking my account multiple times a day. The consistency in everyone's experiences really helps manage expectations - knowing that this waiting period is standard and that the back payments eventually come through makes the stress much more manageable. Thanks for posting this question - it's so helpful to connect with others going through the exact same timeline!