I'm actually going through something similar right now - my disability benefits end in about 6 months and I'm already starting to research this process. One thing I learned from my case worker is that you should start documenting your job search capabilities before your disability ends. Even if you can't actively apply yet, you can research positions that would work with your restrictions and keep notes. This shows the Department of Labor that you're serious about transitioning back to work. Also, don't forget to check if your employer has any return-to-work programs or if they're required to hold a position for you under FMLA - that could affect your unemployment eligibility timing.

I just wanted to add another important point - make sure you're prepared for potential delays in processing your claim. When I transitioned from disability to unemployment last year, there was about a 4-week delay while they reviewed my medical clearance and work history. During that time, I wasn't receiving any income since my disability had already ended. If possible, try to have some savings set aside to cover this gap period. Also, keep all your medical documentation organized - they may ask for records from your treating physician, your disability insurance company, and sometimes even your employer's HR department to verify the timeline and your current work capacity.

Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I applied for SEAP exactly 16 days ago and was starting to spiral thinking something went wrong with my application. Reading everyone's timelines here has been such a relief - it's clear that 2-3 weeks is totally normal even though it feels like an eternity when you're waiting! @Anastasia you're definitely not alone in this anxiety! Based on all these experiences, 12 days is still well within the normal range. It sounds like most people hear back between days 18-25, so you've still got some time before you should start worrying. I love how supportive this community has become - we're all going through the exact same stress and it really helps knowing that the silence doesn't mean bad news, just that NY DOL is backed up. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively like everyone else here 😅 Fingers crossed for all of us still waiting! This thread is proof that good things come to those who wait (even if the waiting is brutal). Thanks everyone for sharing your stories! 🤞

I'm on day 7 of waiting for my SEAP decision and was starting to get anxious until I found this thread! Reading everyone's experiences is so reassuring - I had no idea that 2-3 weeks was completely normal. @Anastasia at 12 days you're still totally within the typical range based on what everyone here is sharing. It's wild how we all seem to go through the same cycle of submitting our applications feeling confident and then immediately second-guessing every detail 😅 I submitted what I thought was a solid business plan but now I'm overthinking everything like "did I include enough market research?" "are my financial projections realistic?" etc. This thread is proof that anxiety is just part of the process! The consistency in everyone's 18-25 day approval timelines is actually really comforting. Sounds like NY DOL is just backed up and processing applications in batches rather than individually. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories - this community support is making the waiting game so much more bearable! Hoping we all get our approval letters soon 🤞

I'm a former HR professional and can confirm that termination while on FMLA leave is a major red flag for potential retaliation. NYS Department of Labor will absolutely investigate this - they have specific protocols for reviewing terminations that occur during protected leave periods. The "restructuring" excuse is common but won't hold up if they can't prove it was legitimate business necessity unrelated to your FMLA status. File your claim immediately and be sure to include: 1) Your FMLA approval documentation, 2) The exact dates of your leave, 3) Your termination notice with the stated reason, and 4) Any performance reviews showing you were in good standing. If they had legitimate restructuring reasons, they should have documentation from before your leave started. Don't be intimidated - you have strong protections here and deserve those benefits after 4 years of employment!

I work as a paralegal specializing in employment law and see cases like this regularly. What you're describing sounds like textbook FMLA retaliation, especially given the timing and your clean employment record. Here's what I'd recommend: 1) File your unemployment claim TODAY - don't wait, as delays can complicate things, 2) Request a copy of your personnel file immediately (you have the right to this in NY), 3) Document everything - dates, who told you about the termination, exact words used, 4) If you have any coworkers who can attest to the company's financial health before your leave, get their contact info. The burden is on your employer to prove the restructuring was legitimate and not pretextual. NYS Department of Labor has seen this pattern many times and they're pretty good at spotting fake restructuring claims. Also consider filing a complaint with the Department of Labor's Division of Human Rights if you suspect FMLA retaliation - you can pursue both unemployment benefits AND a retaliation claim simultaneously. Don't let them bully you out of benefits you've earned!

Hey Felicity! I totally understand that panic - I missed my certification last month when I was dealing with a family crisis and my brain was just completely scattered. That moment of realization is absolutely awful, especially when you're already stressed about everything else. The good news is you're definitely not out of luck! You can still certify for the missed week through your NY DOL account. When you log in, look for "Weekly Certification" or "Claim Weekly Benefits" - there should be an option to select previous weeks. Sometimes it's not super obvious where to find it, so you might need to click around the interface a bit. You typically have until Saturday night to certify for the previous week, so you still have time! Your payment will be delayed by a few days, but you won't lose the benefits entirely - which was my biggest fear when it happened to me. If you can't find the option online or run into any glitches, calling is your backup plan. The hold times are terrible, but they can help you certify over the phone once you get through. After you get this sorted out, definitely set up some kind of backup reminder system! I learned my lesson and now have multiple phone alarms plus a note taped to my bathroom mirror. Sounds overkill but it works when your brain is in survival mode. Don't beat yourself up about this - we're all juggling so much right now and one missed day doesn't ruin everything. You've got this! 💙

Hey Felicity! I can absolutely relate to that panic feeling - I missed my certification about 6 weeks ago when I was going through some health issues and just completely blanked on the deadline. That sinking feeling when you realize what happened is honestly the worst, especially when you're already dealing with so much stress. But here's the thing - you're definitely not out of luck! I was able to backdate my certification through the NY DOL website. When you log in, look for "Weekly Certification" or "Claim Weekly Benefits" and there should be a dropdown to select previous weeks. Sometimes the interface is a bit wonky and you have to hunt around for it, but it's there! You typically have until Saturday to certify for the missed week, so you've still got some breathing room. Your payment will be delayed by a few days compared to your normal schedule, but you won't lose that week's benefits entirely - which was honestly my biggest fear when it happened to me. If you run into any issues with the website or can't find the right option, calling is worth it despite the brutal hold times. The reps I've talked to have been pretty understanding since this happens way more than you'd think. After you get this sorted, definitely set up some backup reminders! I now have a Sunday phone alarm AND I put a sticky note on my steering wheel because apparently one reminder wasn't cutting it for my stressed-out brain 😅 Don't be too hard on yourself about this - unemployment is overwhelming enough without having to be perfect with every single deadline. You're going to get through this! 💜

I'm experiencing this exact same issue right now! I've been trying for almost a week to upload my ID verification and wage statements, and the my.ny.gov system keeps failing. This thread is incredibly helpful - I had no idea about all these specific technical requirements. I'm definitely going to try the systematic approach everyone's recommending: Chrome browser in incognito mode, compress everything to under 500KB, simple file names without spaces, upload during the 6-7 AM window, and wait at least 2 minutes between attempts. It's absolutely mind-boggling that such a basic government function requires this level of troubleshooting, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share real solutions. The official help documentation is completely useless compared to all the detailed advice here. Going to set my alarm early tomorrow and work through these steps methodically. Really hoping this works because I'm worried about my claim getting delayed over these technical glitches!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare! Been stuck for 5 days trying to upload my separation paperwork and it's driving me crazy. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed solutions - this is way more helpful than anything on the official NYS site. I'm going to try the full systematic approach tomorrow: Chrome incognito mode, compress files to 300-400KB range, super simple file names like "separation.pdf", upload at 6 AM sharp, and force myself to wait 2 full minutes between attempts even though it'll be torture. Also going to switch to ethernet instead of WiFi for stability. It's absolutely insane that uploading basic documents requires a PhD in troubleshooting, but at least now I have hope instead of just banging my head against the wall. Really appreciate this community for figuring out what actually works when the official system is so broken!