I was in a very similar situation last year - 8-month contract through a staffing agency that ended when the project wrapped up. Filed for unemployment the day after my contract ended and got approved without any issues. The key things I remember from my experience: 1) Make sure you have your final pay stub from the staffing agency showing taxes were withheld, 2) When filing, be clear that it was "lack of work" not that you quit or were fired, and 3) Keep all your contract documentation just in case they ask for it later. The whole process was pretty straightforward once I got through to file the initial claim. Good luck!

I just went through this process 2 months ago after my contract with a financial services company ended. Since you mentioned you had taxes withheld and worked through a staffing agency, you should definitely be eligible. When I filed my claim, NYS Department of Labor asked for the exact end date of my contract and reason for separation - I put "completion of contract/lack of work" and it was approved without any issues. Pro tip: file your claim as soon as possible after your contract ends since there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. The online application is pretty straightforward and you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and the staffing agency's contact information. Don't stress too much about it - contract workers who are W-2 employees are definitely covered under unemployment insurance!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! The process is definitely confusing at first, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get started. You absolutely want to reopen your existing claim since you have those 8 unused weeks - don't file a new application. When you're filling out the reopen form, they'll ask detailed questions about why you stopped filing and what you did during the gap period. Be completely honest about the temp work - include exact start/end dates, employer name and address, gross wages earned, and clearly state that it was temporary work that didn't become permanent as expected. The system needs this info to verify your continued eligibility. One heads up - the reopen process typically takes 5-10 business days to get approved, and you might get a phone interview if they need clarification about your work separation. Keep checking your online account for updates and any correspondence. Once approved, you should be able to access those remaining benefit weeks from your original claim. Good luck!

I went through this same situation earlier this year! You definitely want to reopen your existing claim since you have those unused weeks - don't start a new application. When I reopened mine, the key was being completely transparent about the temp work. They asked for exact employment dates, employer details, wages earned, and reason for separation. Since your temp job just didn't work out as planned, that's a legitimate reason and shouldn't cause issues. The whole process took about a week for me once I submitted everything. Just make sure you have all your employment documentation ready before you start the online form, because it can time out if you take too long gathering info. Those 8 remaining weeks are still yours - the system will pick up right where you left off once the reopen is approved!

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare for small business owners. I spent three months going back and forth with different departments just to get my unemployment tax number straightened out. They kept sending me forms that didn't apply to my situation.

I went through this exact process last year and it was definitely confusing at first! Here's what worked for me: Start with the my.ny.gov portal and look for "Register a Business" under the business services section. You'll need your Federal EIN ready, then you can apply for both your State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) number and Workers' Compensation at the same time. The key is to register as soon as you think you might become liable - you don't have to wait until you actually hire someone. I found it much easier to do everything online rather than trying to call. The whole process took about 2 weeks to get my account numbers back. Don't stress too much about missing deadlines - as long as you register before you're actually liable for payments, you should be fine.

I went through this exact situation about 2 years ago and learned some hard lessons. You definitely cannot get unemployment while on medical leave - the weekly certification questions will trip you up immediately since you have to confirm you're able and available to work. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: apply for NY State Disability AND check if your employer offers short-term disability insurance at the same time. The state disability is pathetic at $170/week, but if your company has a supplemental policy, it can pay 60-70% of your salary. Also, look into NY Paid Family Leave if you have a family member who can help care for you during recovery. It pays way better than regular disability (around 67% of salary). The key is understanding that these programs can sometimes overlap or supplement each other. One more thing - document EVERYTHING with your doctor. The way they describe your condition and limitations on the paperwork makes a huge difference in approvals and benefit amounts. My first disability application got denied because the forms weren't detailed enough. The financial stress during medical recovery is real, but don't risk unemployment fraud charges by applying for UI when you know you're not able to work. Focus on the legitimate programs designed for your situation. Wishing you a smooth recovery! 🙏

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!

My brother did this and got his benefits no problem. The voluntary part doesn't matter - what matters is WHY the layoff happened. If it's because the company needs to reduce headcount, you're good. Just document everything!

I actually just went through the NYS Department of Labor website and their handbook specifically mentions that voluntary layoffs are eligible for benefits as long as the separation is due to "lack of work" on the employer's part. The key is that you're not quitting your job - you're accepting an offer to be laid off because the company needs to reduce staff. I'd recommend calling the Department of Labor directly at 1-888-209-8124 to confirm your specific situation, especially if your severance package has any unusual terms. Also make sure to file your claim as soon as your last day of work, don't wait!