@Santiago Diaz I totally get your anxiety about this - I was terrified of messing up my first certification too! One tip that saved me: before you start your weekly certification, gather everything you need first. Have your job search activities written down (company names, dates, how you applied), any earnings info, and answers to the basic questions ready. The questions are pretty standard each week - did you work, are you able to work, are you available for work, did you look for work, etc. Also, the system usually saves your progress if you need to step away, so don't feel rushed. You're doing great by asking questions first - that shows you care about doing it right!

Hey Santiago! I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you're definitely not alone in feeling anxious about this process. I've been certifying for about 3 months now and it really does become routine. One thing that helped me was doing a "practice run" - I went through the certification questions without submitting just to see what they looked like. Also, for your job search activities, don't overthink it! Even simple things like updating your resume, browsing job boards, or reaching out to a contact counts. The key is just being consistent and honest. And definitely report that $180 - NYS DOL is pretty good about calculating the partial benefits automatically. You'll probably still get most of your regular amount. Hang in there, the first certification is always the scariest but you've got this!

This is really helpful information everyone! I work in construction and have had to file claims several times over the years due to project completions and weather-related layoffs. It's good to know there's no lifetime cap - I was starting to worry I might be running out of eligibility. The key thing seems to be making sure you work enough between claims to meet the base period requirements for new claims. Has anyone here had experience with how they calculate the base period when you have gaps in employment?

I'm new to NY unemployment benefits and this thread has been incredibly informative! I just want to confirm my understanding - so there's no lifetime limit on how many times you can collect unemployment in NY, but each individual claim has a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits within a benefit year? And to qualify for a new claim later, you just need to have worked enough to meet the base period requirements again? I'm asking because I'm considering a career change that might involve some periods of unemployment while I transition between industries.

Just wanted to add - make sure you keep your work authorization current while collecting benefits. If your DACA expires during your claim period, it could complicate things. But as long as you maintain work authorization, you're good to go.

Don't let fear stop you from applying! I was in your exact situation two years ago - DACA recipient, warehouse job, laid off. I was terrified to apply thinking it might jeopardize my status somehow. But I talked to an immigration lawyer who confirmed that unemployment benefits are completely separate from immigration matters. It's an earned benefit based on your work history and tax contributions. I applied through my.ny.gov and received benefits for several months while job searching. Zero impact on my DACA renewal process. You've paid into the system - you deserve these benefits!

I'm reading through all these responses and just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year - don't overlook your local Workforce1 Career Centers. They have services specifically for parents like emergency childcare assistance while you're job hunting or in interviews, which was a huge help for me. They also have partnerships with employers who understand that people coming off unemployment need flexible start dates and are willing to work with your situation. The center near me had a "rapid hire" event every Friday where local employers would do on-the-spot interviews for immediate openings. I know it feels impossible right now, but you're clearly a hard worker (6 years at the same restaurant shows loyalty and reliability) and employers need people like that. Also, with all your restaurant experience, don't forget about catering companies - they often pay better than restaurants and the work can be more predictable. Some even offer benefits if you work a certain number of events per month. Keep pushing forward - from everything I'm reading here, you're building a solid plan and you're going to make it through this!

I've been following this thread and my heart goes out to you - I was in almost the exact same situation 8 months ago when my NY benefits ran out. Single mom, two kids, worked retail for 5 years before the store closed. The panic is real and completely understandable. What saved me was attacking this from multiple angles at once instead of waiting for one perfect solution. I immediately applied for emergency assistance (SNAP, emergency rental help through my county), signed up with three different temp agencies in one week, and started doing grocery pickup shifts for Walmart on weekends. The temp work led to a permanent position after about a month - not my dream job, but steady income with benefits. One resource that really helped was contacting my local Assembly member's office - they have staff who specialize in helping constituents navigate state services and can sometimes fast-track applications or find programs you didn't know existed. Also, check if your area has any "back to work" clothing closets - having proper interview clothes made a huge difference in my confidence. The combination approach worked: temp income kept us afloat while I built toward something permanent. You're clearly a fighter and a good parent - that restaurant experience shows dedication and customer service skills that transfer everywhere. Take it one day at a time, but definitely start with the emergency assistance applications and temp agencies tomorrow. You've got this!

I went through something similar after a back injury two years ago. One thing to keep in mind is that workers comp benefits aren't taxable, while unemployment benefits are. So even though your workers comp might be around $670/week (2/3 of your wages), you keep all of it. If you were getting unemployment at $500/week, you'd owe taxes on that. Also, workers comp will continue as long as you're unable to work, while unemployment has time limits. Definitely stick with workers comp for now, and once your doctor clears you for light duty, then you can explore other options if your employer can't accommodate you.

I work in workers comp administration and wanted to add a few more details that might help. In NY, workers comp pays 2/3 of your average weekly wage with no cap (unlike disability benefits), and as others mentioned, it's tax-free. The weekly amount is calculated based on your wages from the year before your injury. Since you're making $52k, that should work out to around $667 per week tax-free, which is significantly better than the $170 max from state disability. Also, workers comp will pay for all your medical treatment related to the injury, including physical therapy when you're ready. Once your doctor releases you to light duty, your employer is required to offer you suitable work if available, or your benefits continue. Don't switch to anything else right now - you're actually in the best financial position possible given your situation.