The NYS Department of Labor website has information about this but it's buried in their FAQ section. The main thing is documenting that you're physically able to perform some type of work, even if it's not your previous job. Keep copies of all your medical reports and job applications to show you're making a good faith effort to find employment within your restrictions.

I went through this exact situation two years ago after a construction accident. The key thing to understand is that workers comp and unemployment serve different purposes - workers comp replaces wages you lost due to your injury, while unemployment helps when you're able to work but can't find suitable employment. You absolutely can collect both simultaneously as long as you're honest about your limitations and actively seeking work you can physically perform. Make sure to get a detailed work capacity evaluation from your doctor that specifies exactly what you can and cannot do. When you file your weekly certifications, be truthful about your restrictions and keep detailed records of every job you apply for. The NYS Department of Labor is actually pretty understanding about these situations once you explain your circumstances properly.

I'm a 10-month instructional aide who just went through this process this past summer and wanted to share what I learned. The most important thing I discovered is that you absolutely should apply regardless of having a contract - let NYS DOL make the determination, don't disqualify yourself. When I filed, I made sure to mention every possible uncertainty: our district was discussing class size changes, there were rumors about aide position consolidations, and funding for some programs wasn't 100% confirmed. Even though I had a signed contract, these uncertainties were enough for me to qualify. My advice: document EVERYTHING (save emails about budget discussions, get statements from supervisors about potential changes), file immediately after your last paycheck (not when your contract ends), and be very detailed in your application about any factors that could affect your position. The process took about a month, but it was worth it. Don't let the "reasonable assurance" rule discourage you from applying - it's more flexible than people think when there are legitimate employment uncertainties, even with a contract in place.

I'm a 10-month teacher's aide who successfully collected unemployment last summer, and I want to emphasize what others have said about not giving up if you're initially denied. My district had given me a contract for the following year, but there were ongoing discussions about potential budget cuts and position reductions. I was denied on my first application because the adjudicator focused only on my signed contract and didn't fully consider the employment uncertainties I had documented. However, I appealed the decision and provided additional evidence: emails from administration about budget concerns, documentation showing that similar positions had been eliminated the previous year due to enrollment changes, and a letter from my supervisor acknowledging that while I had a contract, my specific assignment and hours could change based on final enrollment numbers. The appeal took about 6 weeks, but I was ultimately approved for benefits. The key was being persistent and providing comprehensive documentation that showed genuine uncertainty about my employment situation, not just the existence of a contract. For anyone in a similar position, don't let an initial denial discourage you - the appeals process exists specifically for cases like ours where the employment situation is more complex than it appears on the surface.

I went through this exact situation last year - my benefits ran out after 26 weeks and I was panicking. Here's what I learned: NY doesn't have any extensions right now, so once you hit 26 weeks, that's it unless you qualify for a new claim (which requires working again and earning 10x your weekly benefit rate). What saved me was applying for multiple assistance programs BEFORE my benefits ended. I got approved for SNAP, emergency rental assistance, and utility help through HEAP. Also look into the 599 Training Program that someone mentioned - it's legit and could extend benefits while she retrains. For the job search, tell her to cast a wider net. I ended up finding work through networking on LinkedIn rather than job boards. Marketing skills translate well to account management, customer success, and business development roles. The temp agencies suggestion is solid too - I got my current permanent job through a temp placement. Don't give up hope - the market is tough but there are options to bridge the gap!

Just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - the American Job Centers (One-Stop Career Centers) in NY offer free services that a lot of people don't know about. They have career counselors who can help with resume writing, interview prep, and they sometimes have job fairs with local employers. Some locations also offer short-term training programs that might help your cousin pivot into adjacent fields while she's job hunting. You can find locations on careeronestop.org. The staff there are usually pretty knowledgeable about local assistance programs too, so they might be able to point her toward resources others haven't mentioned yet.

I'm also dealing with the same waiting anxiety! My payment showed "released" 2 days ago and I keep refreshing my bank app every few hours. Reading through all these experiences has been so helpful - sounds like 2-3 business days is pretty standard, and first payments often take longer. I'm with HSBC and this is my first unemployment payment ever, so I had no idea what timeline to expect. The tip about calling your bank to check for pending deposits is genius - never would have thought of that! It's such a relief to see so many people saying the money always comes through eventually, just takes patience with the banking system. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences!

I've been collecting NY unemployment for about 7 months now and I'm with Webster Bank. My payments are really consistent - always exactly 2 business days after showing "released" on the DOL website. The first payment took 4 business days though, which had me pretty stressed at the time! One thing I learned that might help others - if you log into your bank account online, sometimes you can see the deposit listed under "pending transactions" or "recent activity" even before it shows up in your available balance. This saved me so much anxiety because I could see it was actually there, just not available yet. Also, Webster Bank's customer service can see pending ACH deposits on their end if you call and ask specifically about unemployment payments. For anyone still waiting, especially on their first payment, try not to stress too much! The state system is slow but reliable. Once it says "released" the money is definitely coming - it's just a matter of the banking processing time. Good luck everyone!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! I lost my main job in January and have a small online tutoring business that brings in maybe $100-300 some months, but often nothing for weeks at a time. When I first filed my UI claim, I was so nervous about mentioning the business because I wasn't sure how NYS Department of Labor would handle it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like the key is just being completely transparent and accurately reporting all income, even when it's $0. I've been doing my weekly claims for about 3 months now and haven't had any issues so far. The tutoring work is completely flexible and definitely doesn't interfere with my job search or availability for full-time work. It's such a relief to see so many people successfully managing similar situations by being upfront about their small businesses. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences that you just can't find in the official documentation. Thanks everyone for being so open about your situations - it really helps reduce the anxiety of navigating this system!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just started my UI claim last week after losing my job and I have a small craft business that I run on Etsy. Like everyone here, it makes very little - maybe $50-200 some months, often nothing at all. I was really worried about mentioning it when I filed because I thought they might automatically deny me, but reading all these experiences has convinced me that being honest was the right choice. It's incredible how similar all our situations are - small side businesses with minimal, inconsistent income that clearly don't interfere with our ability to work full-time. The anxiety about doing something wrong is so real, especially when it's hard to get clear guidance from NYS Department of Labor directly. But seeing so many successful stories here of people who've been transparent about their businesses and are collecting benefits without issues is really reassuring. I'm going to keep reporting everything accurately on my weekly claims and stay focused on my job search. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is providing the real-world guidance that's impossible to find anywhere else!