I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and can definitely relate to the confusion! You're absolutely on the right track with reopening your existing claim - those 8 unused weeks are still there and you don't want to lose them by filing a new application. The process is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Make sure you have all your temp job details ready before you begin: exact start and end dates, employer's full name and address, total gross wages earned, and reason for separation. When they ask why you stopped filing, be completely honest that you took temporary work expecting it to become permanent but it didn't work out. That's a totally valid reason and won't cause any issues with your claim. The reopen process typically takes 5-10 business days, and you'll get a determination letter in your online message center once approved. One crucial tip - file your weekly certification the moment your account becomes active again after approval. Don't wait for any paperwork or letters. I made that mistake and ended up missing a week of benefits. Your weekly benefit amount will stay the same as before since you're reopening, not starting a new claim. The system handles these temporary work gaps all the time, so try not to stress too much about it!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just submitted my reopen application yesterday after stopping claims in December for a temp position that ended last month. Reading through all these experiences is so reassuring - I was really worried I'd lost my remaining benefits by taking that job. One thing I want to add that might help others: when you're gathering your employment documents, don't forget to include any separation paperwork from the temp job if you have it. My temp agency gave me a "completion of assignment" letter that clearly stated the temporary nature of the work, which I included with my reopen application. I figured it couldn't hurt to have that extra documentation showing it wasn't a voluntary quit situation. Fingers crossed my reopen goes as smoothly as everyone else's! The consistency in everyone's advice about being completely transparent and having all details ready beforehand really gives me confidence this will work out.

Just want to add that if you do qualify for both, you'll need to report your disability payments when you file your weekly unemployment claims. NYS Department of Labor needs to know about all income sources.

I'm going through a similar situation right now and from what I've learned, the key is getting a clear statement from your doctor about what type of work you can do with your disability. NYS Department of Labor told me they need documentation showing you're "able and available" for some type of work, even if it's limited. Since your doctor mentioned light work, that could actually work in your favor. I'd suggest getting a detailed letter from them specifying what kind of work activities you can handle - like sitting vs standing, lifting limits, hours per day, etc. That way you can show you're genuinely seeking work within your capabilities while still maintaining your disability benefits for the limitations you do have.

Just to add another perspective - I was in a similar situation last month when my retail job ended due to "restructuring" (basically they eliminated my position). Like others said, you absolutely don't need a termination letter. The NYS DOL system is actually designed to handle situations where people get verbal notice or sudden layoffs. When I filed online, I just selected "laid off" as the reason and wrote a brief explanation in the comments section about the budget cuts. They processed my claim without any issues. The key is filing quickly and being completely honest about what happened. Don't stress about the lack of paperwork - it's more common than you think!

Just to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely don't need a termination letter! I was laid off from my office job about 6 months ago with just verbal notice (company downsizing) and filed my NYS unemployment claim that same day. The online system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. When it asks about separation details, there's usually an option for "laid off due to lack of work" or similar, and you can explain the budget cuts situation in the comments. The Department of Labor will handle verifying everything with your former employer directly. My advice: don't wait to file thinking you need more documentation - the sooner you file, the sooner your waiting week starts and you can potentially start receiving benefits. You've got this!

Hey Ellie, I went through this same situation last year and wanted to share a few tips that helped me. First, don't wait until your last day to gather your documents - start collecting pay stubs, your Social Security card, and employment records now while you still have access to everything. The NYS DOL website has a helpful checklist of what you'll need. Also, if your company offers any severance package, make sure you understand how that might affect your unemployment benefits timing. Some severance payments can delay when your benefits start. The good news is that retail workers definitely qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements, and 8 months should be enough work history. Hang in there - the process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not too bad once you get started.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and want to echo what others have said - yes, you can definitely collect unemployment when laid off! One thing that really helped me was calling the NYS DOL customer service line right after I filed my initial claim to make sure everything went through correctly. The wait times can be long, but it's worth it to catch any issues early. Also, start thinking about your job search strategy now while you still have income. Create accounts on job sites, update your resume, and maybe even start networking. The 3 job contacts per week requirement goes by faster than you think, and having a head start will reduce your stress later. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about collecting benefits either - you've been paying into this system with every paycheck, so you've earned the right to use it when you need it.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got fired from my delivery job last month for what they called "insubordination" but it was really because I refused to drive the company van that had faulty brakes. I kept telling my supervisor it wasn't safe and needed to be fixed, but they said I was being "difficult" and "not following orders." Finally they terminated me saying I had a "bad attitude" and wasn't "coachable." Reading through all these responses is giving me so much clarity - I had no idea that being fired for raising safety concerns could actually strengthen your unemployment case rather than hurt it. I was so worried about filing because I thought any termination would automatically disqualify me. But seeing how many people here had success, especially those who were initially denied but won on appeal, is really encouraging. I'm going to file this week and make sure to document the timeline of my safety complaints versus when the disciplinary actions started. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is such a lifeline when you're navigating this stressful process!

I work for a nonprofit that helps workers navigate unemployment claims, and I want to emphasize something important that several people have touched on here: New York has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country when it comes to safety-related terminations. What you're describing - performance write-ups that started AFTER you raised safety concerns - is textbook retaliation. NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are trained to look for these patterns. When you file your claim, be very specific about the timeline: how long you worked there without issues, exactly when you raised safety concerns, and when the performance problems allegedly started. Also, keep in mind that even if your employer contests your claim (which they probably will), that doesn't mean you'll be denied. The burden is on them to prove misconduct, not on you to prove innocence. Your case sounds strong based on what you've shared - don't let fear keep you from filing for benefits you're likely entitled to.