I'm 62 and currently working but keeping a close eye on this discussion since my industry has been volatile lately. This thread has been absolutely incredible - so much real-world practical advice that you just can't find anywhere else! One thing I wanted to add for future reference: I've been pre-emptively organizing all my employment and benefits paperwork into a "layoff preparation" folder after reading everyone's experiences here. This includes getting copies of my pension plan documents, 401k statements, and even drafting a request letter for that "pension offset letter" that Emma mentioned. For anyone else who might be in a similar situation of anticipating potential changes, I'd highly recommend getting organized now while you still have easy access to HR and payroll systems. The peace of mind of knowing exactly what documentation you'd need and having it ready to go is invaluable. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - you've turned what seemed like a nightmare scenario into something that feels manageable with proper preparation!

I'm 63 and have been reading through all of these experiences with great interest. My company just announced they'll be eliminating my position in two months after 17 years, so this thread has been incredibly helpful for planning ahead. One question I haven't seen addressed: does anyone know if there are different rules for government vs. private sector pensions when it comes to the NYS Department of Labor offset calculations? I worked for the state for 12 years before my current private sector job, so I have a small state pension that I could start drawing along with my private pension. I'm wondering if NYS Department of Labor treats state pensions differently than private ones, or if they both get factored into the reduction the same way. Also, has anyone dealt with having multiple pension sources while collecting unemployment? The paperwork seems like it could get complicated with multiple pension administrators. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences - knowing that this is navigable with proper preparation has really reduced my anxiety about the situation!

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 dealing with this exact situation right now - single parent with unemployment benefits trying to make it work. One resource I stumbled upon that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) through your local food bank. It's different from SNAP and you can qualify even if you're already getting food stamps. Also, if you haven't already, check with your local library - many have programs that provide free meals for kids during school breaks and some even have "lending libraries" for things like winter coats and school supplies. The librarians are usually really knowledgeable about local assistance programs too. It's frustrating that NY doesn't help with dependents like some other states, but at least there are these other safety nets if you know where to look.

I'm currently on unemployment with two kids and can confirm what others have said - NY doesn't provide any dependent allowances unfortunately. But I wanted to add that if you're struggling to make ends meet, check if your local community college has a food pantry. Many of them are open to community members, not just students. Also, churches and community centers often run free meal programs even if you're not a member. One thing that really helped me was connecting with other parents in similar situations through local Facebook groups - they often share information about temporary assistance programs and even organize informal food swaps. The lack of dependent benefits in NY is definitely a hardship, but there are people and organizations willing to help if you reach out.

Just wanted to jump in and share my timeline - I submitted my reconsideration request about 8 weeks ago and FINALLY heard back last week with an approval! I know that's probably not what you want to hear timeline-wise, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. What really helped me was staying on top of the weekly certifications (super important!) and keeping detailed notes of every interaction. Around week 6 I contacted my state senator's office like others mentioned here and they were able to confirm my case was moving through the system. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're stressed about finances, but hang in there! Also seconding the advice about setting up those text alerts - that's how I found out about my approval. Sending you good vibes that yours comes through soon! 🙏

I'm about 4 weeks into waiting for my reconsideration decision and can totally relate to the anxiety! What's helped me stay somewhat sane is treating this like a part-time job - I dedicate 1-2 hours every few days to calling, checking my portal, and following up rather than letting it consume my entire day. I've also started reaching out to local mutual aid groups on Facebook - a lot of communities have emergency assistance funds specifically for people stuck in unemployment limbo. The uncertainty is the worst part, but reading all these experiences here makes me feel less alone in this process. Definitely going to try that state senator contact tip when I hit the 6-week mark! We've got this! 💪

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and can definitely confirm - yes, you can get both unemployment and Medicaid at the same time! When I lost my job, I was terrified about losing health coverage, but it turned out to be much smoother than expected. I applied for unemployment first through the NYS DOL website, then submitted my Medicaid application through NY State of Health about a week later. The key is being completely honest about your unemployment income on the Medicaid application - they'll ask for your expected annual income, so I just estimated based on my weekly UI benefit amount. I was getting around $395/week in unemployment and still qualified for full Medicaid coverage because that annual amount kept me well under the income threshold. The whole Medicaid approval process took about 3 weeks for me. Having both programs running simultaneously was such a lifesaver during my job search - the peace of mind of knowing I had both income support and health coverage made all the difference. My advice would be to apply for both ASAP and don't overthink it. The system is designed to help people in transition like us!

I'm in the exact same situation right now - just lost my job last Friday and my employer coverage ends at the end of this month. This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely going to apply for both unemployment through NYS DOL and Medicaid through NY State of Health. It's such a relief to hear from so many people who successfully got both programs at the same time. I was really worried that getting UI benefits would somehow disqualify me from Medicaid, but it sounds like as long as you're honest about the income, most people still qualify since the weekly amounts are relatively low. I'm estimating I'll get around $365/week in unemployment based on my previous salary, which seems to be well within the range where everyone here still got approved for Medicaid. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences - it's making this whole overwhelming situation feel so much more manageable!