Thank you everyone for all the info! I'm going to file a new claim during my last week and hope for the best. I'll make sure to gather all my gig work documentation just in case they need proof of some employment. This is all so stressful!

Just wanted to add that if you do get denied for a new claim, don't give up! You can appeal the decision and also look into other assistance programs while you're waiting. In NYC there's emergency rental assistance, SNAP benefits, and some local food banks that can help bridge the gap. Also check if your county has any emergency cash assistance programs - some do offer short-term help for people transitioning between benefit periods. The whole system is really complicated but there are other safety nets out there if you know where to look.

I'm currently navigating this same situation after being laid off from my teaching job in December. I've been collecting unemployment while taking two online graduate courses (6 credits total) that are completely asynchronous - no set class times at all. This has worked perfectly because I can do coursework around my job search schedule and interviews. The flexibility of online/asynchronous classes really eliminates any concern about availability for work. When I file my weekly claims, I always answer that I'm available for full-time work because my studies don't restrict my schedule in any way. So far NYS Department of Labor hasn't questioned anything. If you're considering school while on unemployment, I'd definitely recommend looking into online programs with flexible scheduling - it gives you the best of both worlds without any availability conflicts.

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation! Got laid off from my administrative job in March and started taking one evening business class at the local community college. I've been really careful to keep it to just 3 credits and scheduled it for Tuesday/Thursday 6:30-8:30pm so it doesn't interfere with daytime job opportunities. On my weekly certifications, I always mark that I'm available for work because my class schedule wouldn't prevent me from accepting a full-time position. So far I haven't had any issues with NYS Department of Labor, but I'm always nervous about it when I file each week. The class is actually helping me learn skills that are relevant to the jobs I'm applying for, which I think could be a positive if they ever ask about it. Just make sure whatever you choose doesn't limit your availability during normal business hours!

Hey Malik, really sorry about your accident - that sounds incredibly stressful on top of dealing with the injury itself. Just wanted to chime in with some additional info that might help. While you're focusing on workers comp (which is definitely the right first step), you should also know that once you're medically cleared to return to work, you can potentially file for unemployment even if there's a gap between when you're cleared and when you actually find work. The NYS Department of Labor will want documentation from your doctor showing you're able to work again. Also, if your injury results in any permanent limitations that prevent you from doing your previous type of construction work, there might be vocational rehabilitation benefits available through workers comp to help retrain you for different work. Best of luck with everything - construction injuries can be complicated but there are definitely resources out there to help you through this!

Just wanted to add another perspective on the timing aspect - I went through a similar situation when I injured my back in a warehouse accident. One thing that caught me off guard was that there can be a waiting period before workers comp payments start (usually about a week in NY), so make sure you have some emergency funds if possible to cover that gap. Also, if your injury ends up being more serious than initially expected and takes longer to heal, workers comp should continue to cover you - don't let anyone pressure you to return to work before you're medically cleared. The construction industry can be tough about this stuff, but your health comes first. Document everything your doctor tells you about restrictions and recovery timeline. And definitely keep all your medical appointments - missing them can sometimes be used against you in the workers comp process. Hang in there, and don't be afraid to ask questions throughout the process!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic! I'm about 5 months into my current position and like so many others here, I had completely wrong assumptions about unemployment eligibility. I honestly thought you needed to work at one company for at least a year, maybe even longer, before you could qualify for any benefits. Learning that New York uses a quarter-based system that looks at your total work history is such a game-changer - it makes the whole system seem way more reasonable and fair for how people actually work today. @Maggie Martinez I really hope your quarterly review next week goes well, but it's so reassuring that you now know you're covered if anything unexpected happens! I'm definitely going to check out that benefits calculator that @Lia Quinn mentioned - seems like such a smart way to know where you stand without having to stress about it. This community is incredible for breaking down confusing government processes into information that actually makes sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!

This has been such an enlightening discussion! I'm about 4 months into my first job in NY and had absolutely no idea how unemployment benefits actually worked. Like so many others here, I just assumed you needed to work at one place for at least a year before you could even think about qualifying. Learning that NY uses a quarter-based system that considers your entire work history is incredibly reassuring - it shows the system was actually designed around how people really work, not just traditional long-term employment. @Maggie Martinez I hope your review goes great next week, but it's wonderful that you got such clear answers here! I'm definitely going to use that benefits calculator @Lia Quinn mentioned to check my own situation. This community is amazing for explaining complex government stuff in terms that actually make sense to real people. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge!

I'm currently going through this same situation right now - 4 months pregnant and just started collecting unemployment after my restaurant job closed down. The application process was honestly pretty straightforward, and being pregnant never came up as an issue with NYS Department of Labor. The weekly certification is just the standard questions about being able to work and looking for jobs. I've been approved for 8 weeks so far without any problems. The job search part is definitely harder though - I'm starting to show and some employers seem hesitant during interviews, but that's their problem, not the state's. Just be honest about your ability to work and keep detailed records of your job applications. You'll be fine!

I just wanted to add my experience as someone who collected unemployment while pregnant in NY about 6 months ago. The process was really smooth - I filed online and never had to mention my pregnancy status anywhere in the application. The key thing is just being honest about your ability and availability to work on the weekly certifications. I was able to collect benefits for about 4 months while job searching, and NYS Department of Labor never questioned anything pregnancy-related. The hardest part was definitely dealing with employer bias during interviews once I started showing, but that's a separate issue from getting your benefits approved. Keep good records of your job search activities and you should be all set. Wishing you the best with everything!