I remember being confused about this too when I filed. The separation date is important because it affects when your benefit year starts and how they calculate your base period wages. Getting it wrong could delay your first payment or mess up your benefit amount calculation.

I went through this same situation a few months ago when I was laid off from my warehouse job. The key thing to remember is that the separation date should match what your employer reports to NYS Department of Labor - they get a copy of your claim and can dispute if the dates don't align. If you're unsure, check your final paystub or any layoff paperwork they gave you, as it usually shows your last work day. December 12th sounds right based on what you described, but definitely keep any documentation just in case they ask for verification later.

Just to add - if you're looking for work now, make sure you understand the job search requirements once you do become eligible for benefits in the future. NYS Department of Labor has specific rules about documenting your job search activities.

I went through something similar when I had to close my small business last year. Since you only took owner draws and didn't pay unemployment taxes on your own wages, you unfortunately won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits. However, I'd recommend checking if you might be eligible for any other state assistance programs while you're job searching. Also, when you do find new employment, make sure they're properly withholding unemployment taxes so you'll have coverage in the future. Good luck with your job search!

Been collecting unemployment for 2 months while my disability case is under review. No issues so far. The key thing everyone's mentioned is being able to work in some capacity. I can't do my old construction job but I can do light office work, so I'm applying for those types of positions and documenting everything for my job search requirements.

I went through something similar a few years ago when I had to leave my retail job due to a knee injury. The most important thing is to be completely honest and consistent in all your applications and weekly certifications. When I filed for unemployment, I clearly stated my physical limitations and the types of work I could still perform. I also made sure to apply for jobs that matched those capabilities - customer service roles, data entry, reception work, etc. Keep detailed records of your job search activities because NYS requires you to make a certain number of job contacts each week. One tip: consider reaching out to temp agencies that specialize in office work - they often have positions that are perfect for people with physical restrictions and it shows you're actively seeking employment within your limitations.

just to add - make sure you file right away because there's usually a waiting period and you want to get the process started. don't let your employer guilt you out of benefits you're entitled to

Your manager was definitely trying to discourage you from filing, which is pretty common unfortunately. In New York, unemployment benefits are funded through the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which is built up from taxes that employers pay on their payrolls. When you collect benefits, it doesn't come directly from your former employer - it comes from this state-managed fund. However, your claim can impact your employer's future tax rate through what's called an "experience rating" - basically, employers with more former employees collecting unemployment may see their UI tax rate increase in subsequent years. But that's a cost of doing business, not something you should feel guilty about. You worked there for 2 years and earned this safety net!

I went through this same situation about 3 years ago when I was 62 and got laid off from the hospital where I worked. You definitely can collect both, but like others mentioned, they will reduce your unemployment by the employer contribution portion of your pension. In my case, my pension was about $220/week and my unemployment would have been $350/week, so I ended up getting around $130/week from unemployment. It's not ideal, but every little bit helps when you're job hunting. The key thing is to have all your pension documentation ready when you file - they'll want to know the exact breakdown of employer vs employee contributions. Also, don't let the reduced amount discourage you from filing - you're still entitled to those benefits and you never know how long your job search might take.

I'm 59 and unfortunately anticipating a potential layoff situation myself in the coming months due to company downsizing. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I've learned more practical information here than from hours of trying to navigate the NYS Department of Labor website! Reading everyone's real-world experiences has given me so much confidence about how to approach this if it happens. A few quick questions for those who've been through it: Did any of you explore temporary or contract work while collecting the reduced benefits, and how does that affect your weekly claims? Also, for those who mentioned using services like Claimyr to get through to NYS Department of Labor - was it worth the cost given how difficult it is to reach them by phone? I'm trying to prepare for every scenario since I know how backed up their system can get. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences and advice - it's making a potentially scary situation feel much more manageable knowing there are people who've successfully navigated this process!