I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now - my severance runs out at the end of February and I've been stressing about the timing for weeks! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring. What I've learned from my research and talking to others who've been through this is that you can definitely file immediately after your last severance payment ends. I've already set up my my.ny.gov account and started organizing all my documents (termination letter, severance agreement, recent pay stubs) so I'm ready to go on March 1st. One thing that's helped me feel more prepared is creating a simple calendar tracking each severance payment date - that way I know exactly when to file without any confusion. I've also been quietly researching companies and saving job postings to a folder, not actually applying yet but getting ready for those work search requirements that kick in from day one. The consensus from everyone seems to be that as long as you file promptly after severance ends and have your documentation ready, the process is pretty straightforward for layoff situations like ours. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it's made this whole transition feel much more manageable!

I'm in the exact same situation as you - lost my job in September and my severance runs through the end of January. From all the research I've done and the helpful experiences shared in this thread, you should absolutely be able to file for unemployment benefits once your severance officially ends in February. The key is to file immediately after your last payment - don't wait even a day or two because you want to avoid any gaps in coverage. I've already started preparing by setting up my my.ny.gov account (which takes a few days to verify), gathering all my termination paperwork and severance agreement, and creating a folder with recent pay stubs. One tip I learned is to take screenshots of your severance agreement showing the exact end date, since NYS Department of Labor will ask for specific dates and amounts when you file online. Also, definitely start thinking about your job search strategy now even though you can't officially apply while on severance - having a plan ready will help you meet those work search requirements from day one of your claim. The whole process seems much more straightforward than I initially thought, especially for layoff situations like ours. You're being smart by planning ahead!

Wow, what a nightmare with their notification system! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got an "offset" notice but no explanation. Quick question for everyone: has anyone tried disputing an offset when the employer dates were wrong? I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle to appeal or if they usually just stick with their original decision. Also, does anyone know if there's a way to get those missing notifications resent? Seems like a lot of us aren't getting proper notice before they start taking money.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had a similar "offset" situation last year where they took money without proper notification. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything: screenshots of my payment history showing the offset, documentation that I never received notices in my online inbox or mail, and any communication with employers about work dates. When I finally got through to speak with someone, having all this organized made the conversation much more productive. They were able to see exactly when the notices were supposedly sent versus when I actually received them (or didn't). Also, don't give up on calling - I know it's frustrating, but sometimes you get lucky and get through on the first try. The early morning hours (right when they open) and late afternoon seemed to work better for me.

I'm in week 4 of my benefits and stumbling across this thread feels like finding a lifeline I didn't even know I needed. Like absolutely everyone else here, I was completely clueless about the qualifying wages requirement and genuinely believed I could just reapply after hitting the 26-week mark. Reading through all these experiences has been both shocking and incredibly grateful - I have 22 weeks to actually prepare instead of getting blindsided. The resource compilation here is unreal - SNAP, HEAP, workforce development programs, the 599 Training Program, Claimyr service, library job services, community college placement programs. I'm creating a master plan to tackle all of these systematically over the next few months instead of waiting until I'm desperate. I'm in restaurant management and wondering if there are any hospitality or business management training programs that might qualify for the 599 program. The food service industry has been absolutely decimated and maybe this could be my chance to transition into something more stable while still having some support. What really hits me is how this community has had to create its own support network because the official systems provide basically zero useful information. It's infuriating that we're all having to become amateur experts on navigating these programs just to survive, but I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who's shared their real experiences here. For anyone else who's early in their benefit period - this thread is pure gold. Use whatever time you have left to start preparing now. The people here have created something way more valuable than any government resource I've encountered.

I'm in week 3 of my benefits and finding this thread has been absolutely life-changing - I can't believe I almost went through this entire process completely blind to what actually happens at week 26. Like everyone else here, I had zero understanding of the qualifying wages requirement and was totally unprepared for the reality that you can't just reapply after exhausting benefits. Having 23 weeks left now feels like such a gift after reading how many people discovered this information with just days or weeks remaining. I'm going to use every single week to prepare systematically - starting SNAP/HEAP applications early, connecting with workforce development programs, researching the 599 Training Program, and trying that Claimyr service to actually speak to someone at NYSDOL. I'm in retail management and hoping there might be approved training programs for supply chain management or e-commerce that could help me transition to something more stable. The retail industry has been rough and this could be an opportunity to pivot while maintaining support. What's really striking me is how this community has essentially had to build its own information network because the official systems provide virtually nothing useful. It's both frustrating and amazing - frustrating that we have to crowdsource basic information about our own benefits, but amazing how generous everyone has been with sharing real experiences and practical resources. For anyone else who's very early in their benefit period and just discovering this reality - start preparing immediately. This thread contains more actionable information than anything I've found through official channels. We're all in this together, and having time to plan makes all the difference.

I've been filing weekly claims for about 6 months now and wanted to share a few things that have made the process smoother for me. First, regarding work search activities - I found it helpful to think beyond just job applications. Attending virtual career workshops, updating my LinkedIn profile, reaching out to former colleagues for informational interviews, and even taking relevant online courses all count toward your 3 weekly activities. I keep a simple Google Doc with the date, activity type, and brief description for each one. For earnings reporting, always err on the side of over-reporting rather than under-reporting. I do some freelance graphic design work and I report every penny, even small $25 logo jobs. NYS Department of Labor would rather see you being completely transparent than trying to hide income. One last tip - if you ever get a message saying your claim needs additional review, don't panic! This happened to me when I reported some consulting income and it just meant they needed to verify the details. As long as you've been honest on all your claims, these reviews usually resolve quickly. The key is building a consistent routine and keeping good records of everything you do and earn each week.

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add one thing that really saved me when I started filing weekly claims - I created a simple template email that I send to myself every week with my job search activities and any earnings. This way I have a timestamped record in my email that I can easily search through if NYS Department of Labor ever asks for documentation. The template includes: Date, Company/Contact, Position/Activity Type, Method Used, and Follow-up Notes. For earnings, I note the date work was performed, type of work, and gross amount earned. It takes maybe 5 minutes each week but gives me so much peace of mind knowing I have a detailed trail of everything. Also, for anyone worried about making mistakes - I accidentally reported income on the wrong week early on (reported it for when I got paid instead of when I worked) and when I called to correct it, the representative was actually really helpful and walked me through how to handle it properly going forward. The system really is designed to help people who are making genuine efforts to find work, so don't let fear of perfection stop you from being honest and thorough in your reporting.

did u try 2 stay at the job longer? sometimes if u quit too early they say its ur fault

I went through something similar last year! The good news is that with your steady employment through November 2024, you should definitely qualify for a new claim with a decent benefit amount. A few tips from my experience: 1) File online as soon as possible - don't wait, 2) Have all your employment documentation ready including your separation notice from the 3-week job, 3) Be prepared for the ID.me verification again (it's annoying but faster the second time), and 4) When you get to the employment history section, list ALL your jobs including that 3-week position. The system will automatically calculate your base period wages from your longer employment history. With a $62k salary through November, you're likely looking at a much better benefit rate than you'd expect from just 3 weeks of work. Hang in there - you've got this!