Has anyone else had issues with the mobile version of the site? I kept trying on my phone during my lunch break and it was even worse than on desktop - pages wouldn't load at all. Finally gave up and waited until I got home to use my laptop. Seems like the mobile site can't handle the traffic as well as the desktop version. Just something to keep in mind if you're trying to certify on your phone!

This is super helpful! I've been dealing with the same timeout issues for the past week and was starting to panic that I'd miss my certification deadline. The tip about waiting for pages to fully load before clicking is gold - I was definitely being impatient and probably making it worse by clicking multiple times. Going to try this method tomorrow morning during off-peak hours. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you, especially since you know how stressful this whole process can be when you're relying on these benefits. Thanks for giving the rest of us hope that we can actually get through this broken system!

This is such a basic question but the NYS Department of Labor makes everything so confusing! Why can't they just say 'most recent job title' instead of 'main occupation'?? The whole system is designed to trip people up I swear.

Just went through this same process last month! Definitely use "retail supervisor" since that was your most recent position. The NYS Department of Labor uses this mainly to categorize your claim and for their records. Your food service experience will still be valuable and you can include all of that work history in the employment section. The key is being consistent throughout your application - whatever you put as your main occupation should match what you list as your last job. Good luck with your claim!

This has been such a valuable thread! As someone who's been collecting NY unemployment for about 6 months now, I can confirm what everyone is saying - short trips are absolutely fine. I've traveled to visit family in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and even took a week-long vacation in Miami, and never had any issues as long as I kept up with my work search requirements and was ready to come back if needed. The key thing I learned early on is that the "residence" question is really asking about your permanent living situation, not temporary travel. I always certify online from wherever I am and answer honestly about my permanent address remaining the same. It's great to see Mason's update that everything worked out perfectly - that's exactly what should happen when you handle it correctly!

I went through this exact same situation last month when I visited my parents in Florida for a few days! I was so nervous about messing up my certification, but everything worked out fine. Like everyone else has said, the key is understanding that they're asking about permanent residence changes, not temporary travel. I certified online from Florida, answered 'no' to the residence question since I hadn't moved, and my benefits continued normally. The most important thing is making sure you can still do your work search activities and would be able to return quickly if you got a job opportunity. It's such a relief to see Mason's update confirming everything went smoothly - this is exactly how it should work when you handle it correctly!

Good luck with everything! The transition from workers comp back to job searching can be stressful but at least you have the settlement to help while you look for work.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago with a knee injury workers comp case. The most important thing is having that medical clearance documentation ready - NYS Department of Labor will definitely want to see that you're physically able to work. Also, when you file online, there's a specific section about workers comp benefits where you'll need to be upfront about the settlement. They mainly care about whether any part of the settlement covers future wage loss (which it sounds like yours doesn't). The whole process took about 3 weeks for me to get approved. Make sure you start your work search activities right away since they'll ask for proof of job hunting efforts. Best of luck!

I'm a teacher aide in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing that might help is understanding that NYS Labor Law Section 590.11 specifically addresses school employees. The "reasonable assurance" determination isn't just about whether you'll probably be rehired - it has to be based on written or documented assurance from your employer. If you only have verbal promises or assumptions, that may not meet the legal standard. I'd recommend requesting written confirmation from your district about your employment status for next year. If they can't or won't provide it, that strengthens your case that you don't have reasonable assurance. Also, keep in mind that even substitute teacher aides can sometimes get benefits between terms if they don't have that documented assurance of continuing work.

I went through this exact situation two years ago as a teacher aide in upstate NY. Here's what I learned: the key is timing and documentation. I filed my claim the day after my last day of work in June, even though my supervisor told me the same thing about "reasonable assurance." The NYS Department of Labor initially approved my claim because I didn't have a signed contract - just verbal promises. I collected benefits for about 6 weeks before getting my contract in late July. Once I had the written contract, I reported it and my benefits stopped, but I didn't have to pay anything back because I was honest about my situation when it changed. The important thing is to file immediately and be completely transparent about your employment situation. Don't let your supervisor's interpretation stop you from applying - let NYS Department of Labor make the official determination based on your specific circumstances.