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.

One more tip - if you do end up needing to file, try to do it online early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy. The NYS Department of Labor website tends to crash or run really slowly during peak hours. Also, once you start receiving benefits, they direct deposit on Tuesdays if you certify by Monday, so plan your timing accordingly. I learned this the hard way when I was counting on money that didn't come until the following week because I missed the certification deadline.

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.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now - filed my claim 10 days ago after losing my restaurant job. The waiting and not knowing is honestly the worst part! Reading everyone's timelines here is really helpful. I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously (thanks for the Sunday alarm tip, definitely setting that up). One thing I wanted to add is that I called the NYS DOL office and they told me to check my online account regularly because sometimes they'll post messages there if they need additional information, rather than sending mail or email. Also learned that if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, that can sometimes delay things while they verify wages across state lines. Fingers crossed we all get through this process smoothly!

I'm in a similar boat - filed my claim 5 days ago after getting laid off from my customer service job. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the 2-3 week timeline is pretty consistent as long as there aren't any complications. I made sure to set up direct deposit when I filed and have been doing my weekly certifications (that Sunday alarm suggestion is genius). One thing I'm curious about - for those who've gone through this, did you get any kind of confirmation or status update during those 2-3 weeks, or do you just have to wait until the money shows up? The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part when you're trying to figure out your budget for the next month.

Sometimes I wonder if they do this on PURPOSE to mess with us... like why can't they just tell us exactly when the money will hit instead of this vague 'released for payment' nonsense. We're already stressed enough dealing with being unemployed!

I've been claiming for about 6 months now and the timing has been pretty consistent - usually hits my account on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning when I certify on Monday. But I've noticed that if there's a federal holiday during the week, it can push everything back by a day. Also, double-check that your direct deposit info hasn't changed in the system - I had a friend whose payments got delayed because her bank updated their routing number and she had to update it with NYS DOL.