I had a similar situation a few months ago when I had to take FMLA for my husband's cancer treatment. What I found out is that while you can't get regular unemployment, you might be able to get New York State Disability Benefits if your FMLA is for your own health condition (not a family member's). If it's for family care like yours, that unfortunately doesn't qualify for disability either. One thing that helped me was reaching out to local social services to see what other assistance programs might be available - things like SNAP, emergency rent assistance, or utility help. It's not ideal but it can help bridge the gap during those 8 weeks. Also check if your employer has an employee assistance program that might offer emergency financial help.

I'm going through something similar right now - taking care of my dad after his surgery. What I've learned is that New York does have a Paid Family Leave program that's separate from FMLA, but you have to have been paying into it through payroll deductions. If you've been working in NY and seeing "PFL" deductions on your paystub, you might be eligible for partial wage replacement (about 67% of your average weekly wage). It's not unemployment, but it's specifically designed for situations like yours where you need to care for a family member. You can apply through the NY Paid Family Leave website or contact your employer's insurance carrier. Worth looking into if you haven't already!

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO SCREW US OVER!! They make the rules so complicated on purpose so we mess up and then they can claw back money later. I've been fighting an overpayment for 8 months now and they still haven't responded to my appeal.

Just want to add that you should also be aware of the work search requirements when doing freelance work. Even if you're earning income that reduces your benefits, you still need to complete your required work search activities each week unless that freelance work qualifies as "work" under their guidelines. I learned this the hard way when I was doing some contract work - I thought since I was "working" I didn't need to do job searches, but NYS DOL disagreed and I got a penalty. The rules around what counts as acceptable work search activity versus actual work can be tricky, so definitely clarify this if you move forward with the freelance opportunity.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - was denied benefits after being terminated for what they called "misconduct" but I was actually trying to address some serious issues at work. Reading all these success stories is really giving me hope! It sounds like having documentation is absolutely critical. I've been hesitant to file an appeal because I thought the odds were stacked against me, but seeing that 40-60% success rate mentioned by several people here is encouraging. Quick question - for those who won their appeals, did you represent yourself or did you have any legal help? I'm wondering if I should try to find an attorney or if it's something I can handle on my own with good preparation.

I handled my own appeal without an attorney and won after being denied for "misconduct" when I was actually terminated for refusing unsafe work conditions. The hearing process is really designed for regular people to navigate - the administrative law judge walks you through everything and asks clear, specific questions. What made the difference for me was being super organized: I had all my documentation in chronological order, practiced explaining the situation in simple terms, and stayed focused on the facts rather than getting emotional. The whole hearing took about 30 minutes by phone. One tip that really helped - I wrote out key points I wanted to make sure I covered, so I wouldn't forget anything important during the hearing. Your safety concerns documentation should definitely work in your favor. Most people can successfully represent themselves in these hearings as long as they're prepared. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you could always do a quick consultation with an employment attorney just for peace of mind, but it's definitely not required. The system is set up to be accessible without legal representation.

I'm also 17 and was wondering about this same thing! My hours got cut at my restaurant job and I wasn't sure if I could even apply. This thread is super helpful - it sounds like as long as you worked and paid taxes, age doesn't matter. Ryder, definitely file soon like others said. I'm going to look into this for my situation too. It's really cool seeing other young people taking charge of their finances and helping their families. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a caseworker with NYS Department of Labor and wanted to confirm what others have said - yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment at 17! Since you worked for 8 months with taxes deducted, you should meet the monetary eligibility requirements. When you file online at ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, employment dates, employer information, and reason for separation. The system treats all claimants the same regardless of age. One thing I'd emphasize is to be completely honest about your availability for work - since you mentioned you got your GED and can work more hours, that should work in your favor. Make sure to file your weekly certifications on time and keep detailed records of your job search activities. The process really is straightforward, and you've earned these benefits through your work contributions. Don't hesitate to reach out to the office if you have questions during the process!

The transition period can be tricky timing-wise. Make sure there's no overlap between your last disability payment and when you start receiving unemployment. NYS Department of Labor is very strict about this and any overlap could create an overpayment situation you'd have to pay back.

I was in a similar situation last year after my workers' comp disability ended. The key thing NYS Department of Labor looks for is that you're "able and available" for work immediately. Bring your medical clearance letter, proof your disability payments stopped, and be prepared to show you're actively job searching. One tip - apply online through my.ny.gov as soon as possible since there can be a waiting period for the first payment. Also document everything in case they need to review your transition from disability to unemployment benefits.