I went through something similar last year - waited about 6 weeks to file thinking I'd land something quickly. The 4 week backdate limit is real and it stings, but here's what I learned: file your claim ASAP and be prepared for the phone interview where they'll ask about the delay. When I explained that I was actively job searching and didn't realize the urgency of filing immediately, they were understanding but still couldn't go beyond the 4 weeks. The good news is once you're approved, the weekly benefits really help while you continue your job search. Also make sure you're meeting the work search requirements - you need to document your job search activities each week. Don't let this delay cost you any more potential benefits!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got laid off in October and just filed last week after finally accepting that my job search wasn't going anywhere fast. The 4-week backdate rule is frustrating but it's firm. What I found helpful was calling early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) to avoid the worst of the phone queue nightmare. Also, when you do your weekly certifications, keep detailed records of your job search activities - I use a simple spreadsheet with company names, positions applied for, dates, and contact info. The DOL can request this information during audits so it's better to be over-prepared. Don't let the regret about waiting eat at you too much - focus on getting your claim processed quickly and staying consistent with your weekly certifications. Every week you delay filing costs you more money.

I'm in the same situation as many of you here - just lost my job last week and was really stressed about the health insurance gap. This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! Based on everyone's experiences, it's clear that you can definitely get both unemployment and Medicaid simultaneously. I'm planning to apply for unemployment through NYS DOL this week and then submit my Medicaid application through NY State of Health right away. The advice about being honest with your UI income but not letting it discourage you from applying makes total sense - it sounds like most weekly benefit amounts keep you well under the Medicaid income thresholds. Thank you all for taking the time to share your real experiences - it makes such a difference when you're navigating this for the first time and feeling overwhelmed!

I'm currently going through this exact situation right now! Lost my job two weeks ago and was really worried about the health insurance gap. I can confirm what everyone else is saying - you can absolutely get both unemployment and Medicaid at the same time. I filed for unemployment through NYS DOL first and got approved for $385/week, then applied for Medicaid through NY State of Health about a week later. Even with reporting my UI income, I was approved for full Medicaid coverage within about 3 weeks. The key is being upfront about your unemployment benefits when you apply for Medicaid, but don't let that scare you - the weekly amounts are usually low enough that you'll still qualify. My advice would be to apply for both programs ASAP rather than waiting. Having that health coverage safety net while job searching has been such a huge relief. The system really is designed to help people during these transitions!

The NYS Department of Labor website has information about this but it's buried in their FAQ section. The main thing is documenting that you're physically able to perform some type of work, even if it's not your previous job. Keep copies of all your medical reports and job applications to show you're making a good faith effort to find employment within your restrictions.

I went through this exact situation two years ago after a construction accident. The key thing to understand is that workers comp and unemployment serve different purposes - workers comp replaces wages you lost due to your injury, while unemployment helps when you're able to work but can't find suitable employment. You absolutely can collect both simultaneously as long as you're honest about your limitations and actively seeking work you can physically perform. Make sure to get a detailed work capacity evaluation from your doctor that specifies exactly what you can and cannot do. When you file your weekly certifications, be truthful about your restrictions and keep detailed records of every job you apply for. The NYS Department of Labor is actually pretty understanding about these situations once you explain your circumstances properly.

I'm a 10-month instructional aide who just went through this process this past summer and wanted to share what I learned. The most important thing I discovered is that you absolutely should apply regardless of having a contract - let NYS DOL make the determination, don't disqualify yourself. When I filed, I made sure to mention every possible uncertainty: our district was discussing class size changes, there were rumors about aide position consolidations, and funding for some programs wasn't 100% confirmed. Even though I had a signed contract, these uncertainties were enough for me to qualify. My advice: document EVERYTHING (save emails about budget discussions, get statements from supervisors about potential changes), file immediately after your last paycheck (not when your contract ends), and be very detailed in your application about any factors that could affect your position. The process took about a month, but it was worth it. Don't let the "reasonable assurance" rule discourage you from applying - it's more flexible than people think when there are legitimate employment uncertainties, even with a contract in place.

I'm a 10-month teacher's aide who successfully collected unemployment last summer, and I want to emphasize what others have said about not giving up if you're initially denied. My district had given me a contract for the following year, but there were ongoing discussions about potential budget cuts and position reductions. I was denied on my first application because the adjudicator focused only on my signed contract and didn't fully consider the employment uncertainties I had documented. However, I appealed the decision and provided additional evidence: emails from administration about budget concerns, documentation showing that similar positions had been eliminated the previous year due to enrollment changes, and a letter from my supervisor acknowledging that while I had a contract, my specific assignment and hours could change based on final enrollment numbers. The appeal took about 6 weeks, but I was ultimately approved for benefits. The key was being persistent and providing comprehensive documentation that showed genuine uncertainty about my employment situation, not just the existence of a contract. For anyone in a similar position, don't let an initial denial discourage you - the appeals process exists specifically for cases like ours where the employment situation is more complex than it appears on the surface.

I went through this exact situation last year - my benefits ran out after 26 weeks and I was panicking. Here's what I learned: NY doesn't have any extensions right now, so once you hit 26 weeks, that's it unless you qualify for a new claim (which requires working again and earning 10x your weekly benefit rate). What saved me was applying for multiple assistance programs BEFORE my benefits ended. I got approved for SNAP, emergency rental assistance, and utility help through HEAP. Also look into the 599 Training Program that someone mentioned - it's legit and could extend benefits while she retrains. For the job search, tell her to cast a wider net. I ended up finding work through networking on LinkedIn rather than job boards. Marketing skills translate well to account management, customer success, and business development roles. The temp agencies suggestion is solid too - I got my current permanent job through a temp placement. Don't give up hope - the market is tough but there are options to bridge the gap!

Just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - the American Job Centers (One-Stop Career Centers) in NY offer free services that a lot of people don't know about. They have career counselors who can help with resume writing, interview prep, and they sometimes have job fairs with local employers. Some locations also offer short-term training programs that might help your cousin pivot into adjacent fields while she's job hunting. You can find locations on careeronestop.org. The staff there are usually pretty knowledgeable about local assistance programs too, so they might be able to point her toward resources others haven't mentioned yet.