UGH the whole NYS Department of Labor system is a nightmare! They use the most confusing language possible. 'Not ineligible' sounds like they're trying to confuse people on purpose. Why can't they just say 'APPROVED' like normal people??

I went through this exact same confusion when I first filed! "Not ineligible" is definitely their weird way of saying you're approved - it's like they couldn't just use clear language. The payment delay is pretty normal for new claims though. I'd suggest calling the dedicated payment inquiry line (518-457-9000) early in the morning around 8 AM - that's when I had the best luck getting through. Also make sure your direct deposit info is correct in your account, sometimes that can cause delays too.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just lost my job yesterday and was panicking about losing my health insurance next month. Reading everyone's experiences has given me so much peace of mind. It's amazing how many people have successfully navigated both programs at the same time. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here and apply for unemployment through NYS DOL first, then submit my Medicaid application through NY State of Health right away rather than waiting. The consensus seems to be that as long as you're honest about your UI income on the Medicaid application, most people still qualify since the weekly benefit amounts keep you under the income threshold. I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their real experiences - it makes such a difference when you're feeling overwhelmed by a sudden job loss. Thank you all for taking the time to help newcomers like me!

I'm so relieved to find this thread! Just got laid off three days ago and have been losing sleep over the health insurance situation. Everyone's experiences here are incredibly reassuring - it sounds like getting both unemployment and Medicaid is definitely doable and much more straightforward than I initially thought. I'm planning to file for unemployment this weekend and then apply for Medicaid through NY State of Health right after. The advice about being upfront with UI income but not letting it scare you off from applying really resonates with me. Based on my previous salary, I'm estimating around $375/week in unemployment benefits, which seems to be well within the range where people here still qualified for full Medicaid coverage. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences - it's making this overwhelming situation feel so much more manageable!

I went through this same confusion when I lost my job earlier this year! The percentage thing really threw me off too because everyone gives different numbers. What I learned is that NYS Department of Labor uses a formula based on your highest earning quarter in your "base period" - they take about 50% of your average weekly wage from that quarter, but it's capped at the state maximum. For someone making $52k consistently, you're looking at roughly $1000 per week in gross income, so half of that would put you around $500 weekly in benefits (which is close to the current cap anyway). The key thing is you won't know your exact amount until you file because they need to look at your actual wage records. I'd definitely recommend filing even while job hunting - the benefits can last up to 26 weeks in NY and having that financial cushion makes job searching way less stressful. You can always stop collecting if you find work quickly, but at least you'll have the safety net.

Just want to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this process in NY. The calculation can be tricky because NYS Department of Labor also considers if you had multiple jobs during your base period. If you worked any side gigs or part-time jobs alongside your restaurant management position, those wages get included too, which could actually bump up your benefit amount. Also, one thing that caught me off guard - if you had any unpaid time off or were temporarily laid off during your base period, that can affect the calculation since they're looking at actual wages reported, not just your annual salary. The system is pretty automated once you get all your employment info entered correctly, so don't stress too much about doing the math yourself. At your income level, you're likely looking at close to the maximum benefit amount anyway. I'd say definitely file sooner rather than later since there's a waiting period, and you want to get the process started even while you're job hunting.

I'm in a similar situation - got fired last month for what my manager called "performance issues" but I feel like they were looking for reasons to let me go. Reading through these responses is really encouraging, especially knowing that being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you. The documentation advice is spot on - I wish I had kept better records of the issues I was having at work. For anyone else going through this, don't be discouraged by what your employer tells you about your eligibility. The NYS Department of Labor makes the final determination, not your former boss. File your claim and let them review the facts.

I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago - got fired for attendance when I had legitimate medical reasons and car trouble. The good news is that NYS Department of Labor really does look at the whole picture, not just what your employer claims. When I filed my initial claim, I made sure to explain in detail about my medical appointments and car breakdowns in the "reason for separation" section. They actually called me for a phone interview about 2 weeks later to get more details, and I was approved. My advice is to be completely honest about everything when you file - don't try to downplay the attendance issues, but make sure you explain the legitimate reasons behind them. The fact that you had a family emergency and car problems shows these weren't just you being irresponsible. Keep any documentation you have (repair bills, family emergency details) and upload them if possible. You've got nothing to lose by applying, and from what you've described, you have a good chance of getting approved.

I've been through this exact situation and can share some reassurance! I was on NYS unemployment for about 7 months and went through several background checks during my job search. Not once did my unemployment claim show up. The background check companies simply don't have access to that information - it's protected by privacy laws. What I did find helpful was preparing a brief, honest explanation for any employment gaps that might come up in interviews. Something like "I was laid off from my previous position and have been actively job searching while collecting unemployment benefits" worked well for me. Most employers completely understand that people sometimes need to rely on unemployment insurance - that's exactly what the system is designed for! Don't let this worry derail your confidence going into these interviews. Focus on showcasing your skills and experience instead.

I can add another data point here - I was on unemployment for almost a year and went through background checks at 3 different companies during my job search. None of them ever mentioned or asked about my unemployment benefits. The background check reports I was able to review only showed employment history verification, education confirmation, and criminal background (which was clean). Your NYS Department of Labor claim information is completely separate and protected. The only "gap" that showed up was in my employment timeline, but I just explained during interviews that I was laid off and had been job searching. Most hiring managers these days totally understand that unemployment happens and that the benefits exist for exactly this reason. Don't let this stress overshadow your interview prep - you're going to do great!