One thing I learned from my own experience is that you should also check if your employer is offering any other benefits during the severance period, like continued health insurance coverage. Sometimes companies will maintain your benefits during severance which can affect how you report things to NYSDOL. Also, keep detailed records of all your severance payments and dates - if there are any issues with your claim later, having that documentation will save you a lot of headaches. The key is being completely transparent about everything when you file!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. I was laid off from a tech company after 4 years and received 10 weeks of severance. The waiting period was definitely stressful, but everything worked out exactly as described here. A few things I learned that might help: 1. File your initial claim online the day after your last day of work - don't wait until severance ends. This gets your claim in the system and they'll calculate your waiting period. 2. Keep checking your online account during the severance period. NYSDOL will sometimes request additional documents or clarification, and responding quickly helps avoid delays once you become eligible. 3. Your weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your regular wages from the base period, not the severance. So if you were making good money before the layoff, your benefits should reflect that. 4. Start your job search during the severance period if possible. You'll need to be actively seeking work once benefits kick in, and having a head start really helps. The system actually works pretty well once you understand it. Hang in there - those 8 weeks will go by faster than you think!

I'm in the exact same situation - my effective days just hit zero this week but my benefit year doesn't end until September 2025. I was really panicking when I first saw that zero balance, but reading through everyone's responses here has been so reassuring. It sounds like the consensus is pretty clear: keep certifying weekly even though payments stop, since it only takes a few minutes and could potentially position you for backpay if any extensions get passed down the line. I'm also motivated by what several people mentioned about how the weekly certification keeps you accountable for job search activities - I definitely need that structure right now. Planning to apply for SNAP and HEAP this week too after seeing how positive everyone's experiences were with those programs. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories, especially the recent ones - it really helps to know we're not alone in this confusing situation!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now - my effective days just ran out last week but my benefit year doesn't end until February 2026. This thread has been incredibly helpful in clearing up the confusion between effective days and benefit year! Based on everyone's advice, I'm definitely going to keep certifying weekly for the foreseeable future. Even though there's no guarantee of extensions, the time investment is minimal and the potential upside if something does get passed makes it worth it. Plus I really like the point several people made about how it keeps you disciplined with job search activities - I definitely need that weekly structure to stay on track. I'm also going to bite the bullet and apply for SNAP and HEAP this week after reading so many positive experiences with those programs. The financial stress of job hunting is real and there's no shame in using the safety net when you need it. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who went through this recently - it's reassuring to know so many of us are dealing with the same confusing situation!

Just wanted to jump in and say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this thread! I literally just successfully filed my claim using the combination of solutions you all figured out. Like many others, I'm a returning filer (last claim was 2023) and was completely lost on the new system. For anyone still struggling, here's what worked for me: 1. Used Vincent's method - cleared cache/cookies, went through My NY.gov dashboard first 2. Switched to Edge browser (Chrome wasn't working for me) 3. Disabled ALL browser extensions, not just ad blocker 4. Filed during off-peak hours (around 7 AM) The whole process took about 45 minutes once I could actually access it, but finding the right combination of workarounds took me 3 days! This community is amazing - you've basically created the user manual that NY should have provided. Seriously considering printing this whole thread as backup in case I need to help friends or family navigate this mess in the future!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in the exact same situation - trying to file a new claim after having one back in 2023, and the system looks completely different now. I've been banging my head against the wall for the past two days trying to find the "file new claim" option. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear this isn't user error - it's a legitimate system issue affecting returning claimants after the January 2025 upgrade. I'm going to try Vincent's method first (the My NY.gov dashboard approach with cache clearing), then work through the browser/extension suggestions if needed. It's honestly shocking that we need a whole community troubleshooting session just to access a basic government service, but I'm so grateful everyone took the time to document their solutions. This thread should seriously be sent to NYSDOL as evidence of how broken their "improved" system is! Will definitely report back with my results to add to the collective knowledge here.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I lost my job and had to apply for both unemployment and Medicaid. The process was actually smoother than I expected - I applied online through NY State of Health and got approved within about 2 weeks. The key thing is to be honest about your unemployment income when you fill out the application. They'll verify it with NYS Department of Labor anyway, so don't try to hide it. One tip: if you have any medical appointments coming up, ask if they can wait to bill you until your Medicaid approval comes through. Many providers are understanding about this situation. Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation right now - lost my job last month and just got approved for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. This thread is super helpful! I was really worried about the health insurance gap. One thing I wanted to add is that when I called the NY State of Health customer service line, they told me that even if your unemployment benefits put you slightly over the Medicaid income limit, you might still qualify for subsidized marketplace plans with very low premiums. So definitely worth applying either way. Also, make sure to report any changes in your unemployment benefit amount if it changes - I think that's important for keeping your coverage valid.

Just went through this process myself last month. One tip that really helped - when you get that UC-309 form, read it carefully because it will tell you exactly what information NYS Department of Labor is looking for. They usually want the last day worked, reason for separation, and any relevant dates. If you have an employee handbook or written policies that were violated, include copies of those too. The key is being factual and specific rather than vague. And definitely don't miss that 10-day deadline - I learned the hard way that extensions are really rare.

One more thing to consider - if this is your first time dealing with unemployment claims, you might want to check if your company has an employment attorney or HR consultant who can review your response before submitting it. They can help ensure you're providing the right level of detail without over-sharing information that isn't relevant. Also, keep in mind that NYS Department of Labor maintains records of these responses, so consistency is important if you have multiple claims from former employees over time.