Once you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Don't forget to do this even if your claim is still pending - you can lose weeks of benefits if you don't certify.

Sorry to hear you're going through this stress - layoffs are really tough. One thing I'd add is to start gathering your employment documents now while you still have access to everything. Keep copies of recent pay stubs, your offer letter, and any company handbook info about layoff procedures. Also, if your company offers any severance package, make sure to understand how that might affect your unemployment benefits timing. Some people don't realize that severance can sometimes delay when your benefits start. The good news is that with 2 years of full-time work, you should definitely qualify. Hang in there!

just to add my experience - i was on medical leave for 6 weeks and definitely couldn't get unemployment. but like others said, short term disability through work covered part of my salary during that time. check with your HR department about what benefits you might have had available

I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. The confusion is totally understandable because the rules can seem contradictory. Here's the bottom line: NYS unemployment requires you to be "able, available, and actively seeking work." Medical leave automatically disqualifies you because you're declaring yourself unable to work. However, there are a few important things to know: 1) If you had short-term disability insurance through your employer or purchased it independently, that would have been the appropriate benefit during your medical leave, 2) Some people don't realize their employer offers disability benefits - it's worth checking with HR even now to understand what was available, and 3) The timing matters - you could potentially file for unemployment AFTER you're medically cleared but before returning to work, if there's a gap. For future reference, always ask HR about all available benefits when taking medical leave - many people miss out on disability benefits they're entitled to.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently went through this process in Buffalo. The $504 maximum is definitely correct for 2025 - I can confirm that personally. One thing that caught me off guard was that even though I qualified for the maximum weekly amount, my first payment was slightly delayed because they had to verify my identity through ID.me. The verification process took about 3-4 business days, so don't panic if there's a short delay beyond the usual waiting period. Also, make sure your direct deposit information is accurate when you set up your account - any errors there can cause additional delays in receiving your payments. The whole system actually worked pretty well once I got through the initial setup. Good luck with your application Grant!

This has been such an informative thread! I'm in a similar boat - just got notice that my position at a tech startup in Rochester is being eliminated next month. Making about $72k so it sounds like I'll also qualify for the $504 maximum. I'm wondering though, does anyone know if there are any differences in the application process or benefit calculations if you get advance notice of a layoff versus being laid off immediately? I have about 3 weeks before my last day, so I'm trying to figure out if I should wait until my actual termination date to file or if there's anything I can do to prepare in advance. Also, has anyone dealt with severance pay and how that affects the timing of when you can start collecting benefits? My company mentioned a small severance package but I'm not sure how that interacts with unemployment eligibility.

Just want to add that if you do eventually transition from disability back to work, make sure you understand the timeline for filing unemployment if you end up losing that job. There are specific rules about when you can file after returning from disability leave.

I went through something similar about 8 months ago with a knee injury. One thing that really helped me was documenting everything - keep all your medical records, correspondence with your employer about return-to-work options, and any communications with your disability insurance provider. Even though you can't collect both benefits simultaneously, having good documentation will be crucial if your situation changes (like if you get cleared for light duty but your job can't accommodate it, or when you eventually transition back to work). Also, don't forget to check if your employer offers any supplemental benefits or employee assistance programs that might help bridge the gap during your recovery period.

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Just completed my ID.me verification 2 days ago and I'm still getting that automated message when I call the unemployment line. It's so frustrating because I did everything correctly and got all the confirmation emails, but their system just won't recognize it. This thread has been incredibly helpful though - I was starting to panic that I had somehow messed up the verification process. Reading everyone's experiences is really reassuring that this is just a common glitch with NY's system. Just tried the web portal at labor.ny.gov like so many people suggested and I was able to certify successfully even though the phone system is still being stubborn! It's honestly crazy that this ID.me integration issue is still happening so frequently in 2025 when it's clearly affecting tons of people every week. But I'm really grateful for this community helping each other navigate these frustrating system problems. Definitely saving that technical support number (855-829-3674) just in case I need it if this takes longer than expected. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and making me feel less alone in dealing with this mess!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just completed my ID.me verification 3 days ago and I'm still getting that automated message when I call the DOL line. It's so frustrating because I got all the confirmation emails and the green checkmark, but their phone system acts like it never happened. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was starting to worry I had messed something up during verification. Just tried the web portal at labor.ny.gov like everyone suggested and was able to certify successfully even though the phone system is still being stubborn! What a relief to know there's a workaround. It's honestly ridiculous that NY still hasn't fixed this ID.me integration problem when it's clearly affecting so many people every single week. But I'm really grateful for this community sharing experiences and solutions. Definitely saving that technical support number (855-829-3674) in case I need it if this drags on past the 7 business day timeframe. Thanks everyone for making me feel less alone in dealing with this broken system!