My sister went through the same thing when her church cut staff last year. She was worried about the religious aspect too but got approved for benefits right away. NYS Department of Labor treats church employees just like any other workers for the most part.

I went through something similar when I was let go from my position at a Catholic parish a few years ago. I was hesitant to file at first because I thought religious organizations might be different, but it turned out my church had been paying unemployment taxes the whole time. The NYS Department of Labor processed my claim just like any other employer. My advice would be to go ahead and file - you can do it online through the NY.gov website and they'll determine your eligibility based on your employer's status. Even if you're unsure, there's no penalty for applying and finding out you're not eligible. Good luck with your claim!

Just remember you can't quit voluntarily and still get benefits. Has to be a layoff or termination that's not your fault. Also keep all your pay stubs - you'll need them when you file your claim.

Another thing to keep in mind is that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you'll get a 1099-G at the end of the year. You can choose to have taxes withheld (10% federal) when you certify each week, or just pay when you file your return. Also, if you do get benefits, make sure to keep certifying every week even if you find temporary work - you might still qualify for partial benefits if your weekly earnings are low enough.

Don't stress too much about it. With 3 years of steady work you definitely have enough credits. The system is designed to help people who've been contributing through their paychecks. Just keep documentation of your work history and wages in case they need verification during the application process.

It's good that you're thinking ahead about this. One thing to keep in mind is that you should also document everything - save emails about unclear job requirements, any feedback you've received, and notes from meetings. If you do end up filing for unemployment, having a clear record of the situation can help support your case that any termination was due to unclear expectations rather than misconduct on your part. Also, don't hesitate to ask for clarification in writing about what's expected of you - it shows you're trying to improve and could help your unemployment claim if things don't work out.

Just apply and see what happens. Worst case they deny you but at least you'll know for sure. Make sure you mention the light duty restrictions and that your employer has no suitable work available when you file.

I went through something similar about two years ago when I was on light duty after a shoulder injury. The NYS Department of Labor told me that you can potentially qualify for partial unemployment benefits if your employer can't accommodate your work restrictions, even if you're still technically employed. The key factors they look at are: 1) whether you're able to work within your medical restrictions, 2) whether your employer has suitable light duty work available, and 3) your reduction in hours/wages. Since you're only getting 60% from workers comp and no wages, you should definitely apply. Just be upfront about everything - your restrictions, the workers comp payments, and that your employer said no light duty positions are available. They'll make the determination based on your specific situation.

Just want to add that if you're on standby from your employer, the timeline might be different. Also make sure you're doing your job search activities because they can ask for your log at any time, even during adjudication.

I went through this same process about 6 months ago when I got laid off from my retail job. Here's what actually happened for me: Filed on a Wednesday, started doing weekly certifications the following Sunday, and got my first payment exactly 19 days after filing (counting weekends). The one-week waiting period is real - you won't get paid for that first week, but you still have to certify for it. My advice is to set up direct deposit if you haven't already, keep doing those weekly certifications religiously (I set a phone reminder for Sunday mornings), and try not to stress too much about the exact timing. As long as there are no red flags with your claim, the money will come. The hardest part is just that initial waiting period when you're not sure what's happening.