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Just be careful because some severance agreements DO include salary continuation which would count as earned income. Read your severance paperwork carefully to make sure it's truly a lump sum dismissal payment.
Good point - mine was definitely a one-time payment, not salary continuation. Thanks for mentioning that distinction!
I went through this exact situation a few months ago. Emma is right - lump sum severance is typically not considered earned income for unemployment purposes in NY. The key thing is that it's a one-time payment for job loss, not wages for work performed. I'd still recommend keeping all your severance paperwork just in case NYSDOL ever asks for documentation, but you shouldn't need to report it on your weekly claims. Just make sure you're still actively looking for work and reporting any actual earnings from new employment!
This is really helpful! I've been stressed about this for weeks. Did you have any issues with your claim because of the severance, or did everything go smoothly once you didn't report it? I'm just paranoid about getting flagged or having to pay anything back later.
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I'm about 4 weeks into my unemployment claim and this entire thread has been a wake-up call! I've been casually applying to jobs but definitely not keeping the kind of detailed records everyone is describing. Starting tomorrow I'm implementing the spreadsheet system with weekly folders for screenshots and confirmations. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone had success counting professional development activities like online courses or certifications as work search activities? I've been taking some LinkedIn Learning courses to update my skills but wasn't sure if NYS DOL would accept those. Also, for those who've been audited, how far back did they ask you to provide documentation? I'm hoping I can start fresh with better record-keeping without being penalized for my earlier weeks of poor documentation. This community has been so much more helpful than any official resources I've found!
@Zainab Ibrahim Yes, professional development activities like LinkedIn Learning courses can definitely count as work search activities! I ve'successfully used online certifications and skill-building courses in my documentation. The key is to show how they re'relevant to your job search - for example, I documented a Google Analytics course I took and explained how it would make me more competitive for marketing roles I was applying for. As for how far back audits go, from what I ve'experienced and heard from others, they typically focus on recent weeks but can ask for documentation going back to the start of your claim. Don t'stress too much about your earlier weeks - just start keeping meticulous records now and if questioned later, honestly explain that you were learning the requirements and have since improved your documentation. The fact that you re'being proactive now shows good faith effort. Save certificates of completion for any courses and keep notes on how they relate to your job search goals!
I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks now and honestly wish I had found this thread earlier! Reading everyone's experiences has made me realize I need to completely overhaul my documentation system. I've been keeping a basic list of where I applied but nothing nearly as detailed as what you all are describing. Starting this week I'm implementing the spreadsheet approach with separate folders for each week's documentation. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - does anyone know if attending virtual job fairs counts as a work search activity? I've been to a few but wasn't sure if they qualified since I didn't apply to specific jobs on the spot, just collected information and made some connections. Also, for those using spreadsheets, do you include a column for follow-up actions? I'm trying to figure out if following up on applications I submitted weeks ago counts as additional work search activities or if it's just part of the original application. Thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice I needed!
@Monique Byrd Virtual job fairs absolutely count as work search activities! I ve'documented several and they were accepted during my audit. The key is to keep detailed records - save the event registration confirmation, take notes on companies you spoke with even (if just at their virtual booths ,)and document any follow-up actions like connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn or requesting information about future openings. For follow-ups on previous applications, I treat those as separate activities if there s'genuine new contact - like calling to check on application status or sending a follow-up email after 2-3 weeks. Just make sure to document what specific action you took and when. Your spreadsheet should definitely include a follow-up column! I also add a notes "column" where I track things like attended "Company X presentation at virtual fair, collected recruiter contact info or" followed "up on 2-week-old application via phone call with HR. The" more detail you can provide about meaningful job search efforts, the better protected you ll'be if audited.
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This thread has been incredibly valuable for anyone dealing with certification errors! I'm new to the community and have been reading through everyone's experiences while dealing with my own unemployment questions. What really stands out to me is how consistent the advice has been across all these different situations - act immediately, document thoroughly, and be persistent about reaching an agent. It's also reassuring to see how understanding the agents actually are when people report errors quickly, like in @cc48bca1aca9's recent success story with the Claimyr service. For anyone new to this thread, the key takeaways seem to be: use the secure portal to report the error immediately, keep detailed logs of all contact attempts, try calling at 8 AM or use the Claimyr service to get through, and ask agents to add notes to your file for future reference. The TC-FOC form that @fc89033d6fb5 mentioned is also crucial to know about. It's amazing how this community has created such a comprehensive guide for handling these stressful situations. The phone certification system clearly needs improvement, but at least people don't have to navigate these errors alone anymore!
This is such a great summary of all the key advice! As someone who's brand new to this community and currently dealing with my first unemployment certification error, having all these strategies laid out clearly is incredibly helpful. I made a mistake during phone certification yesterday and was absolutely panicking until I found this thread. It's really reassuring to see the consistent pattern of success when people act quickly and follow these steps. The fact that @cc48bca1aca9 just got their situation resolved with the Claimyr service gives me confidence that this approach really works. I'm definitely going to try that along with the 8 AM calling strategy. What strikes me most is how supportive everyone has been in sharing their experiences - it transforms what feels like an isolated, terrifying situation into something manageable with clear action steps. Thank you for putting together such a comprehensive overview of the key strategies. It's exactly what someone needs when they first discover this thread in a panic!
I'm brand new to this community and currently dealing with this exact nightmare! I made a phone certification error yesterday where I accidentally said I didn't have any job contacts when I actually did complete my required work search activities. I've been absolutely panicking about potential fraud charges and penalties ever since. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - it's incredible how many people have gone through these confusing phone system errors! I immediately sent a detailed message through the secure portal after reading all the advice here, and I'm planning to try both the 8 AM calling strategy and that Claimyr service that so many people have mentioned with success. The practical tips about documenting everything, looking for the TC-FOC form, and asking agents to add notes to your file are incredibly helpful. Success stories like @cc48bca1aca9 and @fa735b3835d3 who got their situations resolved quickly by acting fast really give me hope that this isn't as catastrophic as it feels right now. Thank you all for creating such a supportive thread and sharing your experiences. It's exactly what someone needs when they're panicking about navigating the unemployment system alone. I'll definitely update once I manage to get through to an agent!
Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and just discovered this thread while dealing with my own unemployment stress. Your situation with the work search requirements mix-up sounds really similar to what so many others have experienced - it's honestly both frustrating and reassuring to see how common these phone system errors are. You're definitely taking all the right steps by immediately sending that secure portal message and planning to try multiple contact methods. From reading through all these experiences, it seems like the key really is that quick response time - it shows you're genuinely trying to fix an honest mistake rather than trying to game the system. The success stories from people like @cc48bca1aca9 and @fa735b3835d3 who got everything resolved in one call after getting through are really encouraging. It sounds like the agents are actually pretty understanding when you're proactive about reporting these errors. The waiting and uncertainty is definitely the hardest part, but you're clearly doing everything right to get this sorted out quickly. Keep us posted on how the Claimyr service or 8 AM calling strategy works for you!
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File your claim ASAP - you're definitely eligible! I had a similar situation with my chronic migraines affecting my work schedule. The employer tried to claim it was performance-related, but I documented everything - medical appointments, accommodation requests I made, even emails where I explained my condition. NYS DOL sided with me because they could see I was trying to do my job despite the medical issues. Key things: keep all your medical records, any communication with HR about accommodations, and be clear in your claim that you were terminated due to your medical condition, not misconduct. The diabetes management you mentioned (breaks, appointments) are totally reasonable accommodations they should have provided.
This is really helpful advice! Quick question - when you say "be clear in your claim that you were terminated due to your medical condition" - did you actually use those exact words in the application? I'm filling mine out now and trying to figure out the best way to phrase it without making it sound like I couldn't do the job at all. Also, did you have to get a letter from your doctor or was your own documentation enough?
@Aiden Rodríguez Yes, I was pretty direct about it. On the application where it asks why you were separated from employment, I wrote something like Terminated "due to employer s'inability to accommodate medical condition requiring periodic breaks and medical appointments. Don" t'say you couldn t'do the job - emphasize that you needed reasonable accommodations that weren t'provided. I did get a letter from my neurologist that outlined my condition and the accommodations I needed, which really helped when the employer contested it. The letter didn t'have to be super detailed, just confirmed my diagnosis and that the accommodations I requested flexible (schedule for appointments, quiet space during migraines were) medically necessary. Having that doctor s'letter made all the difference when it went to the hearing.
I'm going through something really similar right now with my rheumatoid arthritis. My employer terminated me last month saying I was taking "too many sick days" even though I had a doctor's note and tried to work from home when possible. I filed my claim three weeks ago and it's still pending review. Reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me hope that it will get approved eventually. The most frustrating part is feeling like you have to prove you're sick enough to need accommodations but not so sick that you can't work at all. It's such a fine line to walk. For anyone else in this situation - definitely start gathering all your medical documentation now, even if it feels overwhelming. I wish I had been more proactive about documenting my accommodation requests in writing.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this too - the whole "too sick to work normally but not sick enough to be disabled" catch-22 is infuriating! Three weeks pending sounds about normal from what I've seen, but definitely frustrating when you need those benefits. Your situation with RA sounds really strong for approval since you had doctor's notes and were trying to find solutions like WFH. The fact that you were proactive about getting medical documentation should work in your favor. Hang in there - from everything I'm reading here it seems like NY DOL generally sides with people who have legitimate medical conditions when employers fail to accommodate. Keep us posted on how it goes!
Lydia Santiago
I'm dealing with a similar back issue from my job at a fulfillment center. One thing my worker's comp attorney mentioned is that you might also want to look into whether you qualify for temporary disability benefits through your state disability insurance (SDI) - it's different from Social Security disability and can sometimes bridge the gap. The payments are usually less than unemployment but the approval process is faster than SSDI. Also, if your injury is work-related, make sure you've filed a worker's comp claim too - those benefits can sometimes run alongside other programs. The whole system is definitely confusing, but documenting everything with your doctors is key regardless of which path you choose.
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Sofia Ramirez
•Wait, there's a difference between state disability insurance and Social Security disability? I had no idea there were multiple types of disability benefits! And I definitely should look into worker's comp since my back injury happened at the warehouse. I've been so focused on just the unemployment vs SSDI question that I didn't even think about these other options. This is getting complicated but at least now I know there might be more paths to explore. Thanks for mentioning the SDI option - do you know if New York has that program or is it only certain states?
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Leslie Parker
I just went through this exact situation last year with a rotator cuff injury from my delivery job. Here's what I learned the hard way - New York actually does NOT have state disability insurance (SDI) like California or New Jersey. We only have the federal SSDI option which takes forever. However, you absolutely should file for worker's comp if your back injury happened at work - that's completely separate and you can potentially collect worker's comp while on unemployment in certain situations. The key is getting proper medical documentation NOW. I made the mistake of waiting too long to see specialists and it hurt both my unemployment case (when I couldn't meet work search requirements) and my eventual disability claim. Get an MRI and physical therapy evaluations ASAP. Also, keep detailed records of how your pain affects daily activities - this documentation will be crucial for any disability application later. My advice? Stick with unemployment as long as you can honestly say you're able to work some jobs, but start building your medical case now in case you need to transition to disability benefits down the road.
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Abigail Patel
•This is incredibly helpful information! Thank you for clarifying that NY doesn't have SDI - I was getting confused by all the different disability programs mentioned. I definitely need to prioritize getting that MRI done. My primary care doctor has been suggesting it for weeks but I kept putting it off because of the cost. It sounds like having proper documentation could make or break any future disability claim. I'm also kicking myself for not filing worker's comp initially - I thought since I was already getting unemployment I didn't need to worry about it. Better late than never though. Did you find that having worker's comp affected your unemployment benefits at all, or were you able to keep both going simultaneously?
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