I went through something very similar last year with a workers comp settlement from an old job while collecting UI. The amount doesn't really matter - I received $22K and it had zero impact on my benefits. What matters is that it's compensating you for past injuries/wages from a different employment period than your current claim. When I reported it, I just wrote "Workers compensation settlement - injury from previous employer 2022" in the other income section. Never heard a peep from them about it. The key is being upfront about it rather than trying to hide it. Your situation sounds textbook - different employer, different time period, medical/injury related. You should be fine!

I'm actually going through the exact same situation right now! Got laid off in November and have been on UI, and just got word that my workers comp case from a back injury at my old job in 2021 is settling for about $15K. Reading through these responses has been super helpful - sounds like the consensus is that since it's from a different employer and time period, it shouldn't affect benefits as long as you report it properly. I'm planning to use the wording suggestions here when I file my weekly claim. It's such a relief to see others have gone through this without issues. The NYS system is confusing enough without having to worry about losing benefits over something that's completely unrelated to your current claim!

Wait, you filed in early January and it's been 5 weeks? That means you filed like the first week of January? Because if you filed after January 15th it hasn't been 5 weeks yet. Just want to make sure the timeline is right because that affects whether this is actually an unusual delay or not.

Manufacturing layoffs sometimes get extra scrutiny because they want to verify it wasn't a voluntary quit or misconduct termination. Did you get any severance or notice pay? That can also complicate the timeline because they need to determine your benefit start date. The good news is that once approved, you'll get backpay to your benefit year start date.

I understand your frustration with the religious accommodation issue. You should definitely document everything about your religious practices and the fact that you need Sundays off for religious observance. When you go to your appeal hearing, bring any documentation you have about your religious beliefs and explain that refusing work due to religious reasons is protected. NYS Department of Labor has to consider religious accommodations under both state and federal law. You might also want to contact a legal aid organization that handles employment issues - they sometimes take cases involving religious discrimination for free or low cost. Don't give up on the appeal process, even though it's frustrating.

Religious accommodation is definitely a protected right that NYS Department of Labor should have considered before denying your benefits. The fact that you couldn't work Sundays due to religious observance isn't a valid "work refusal" under labor law. Beyond the appeal process, you might want to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights if they didn't properly evaluate your religious accommodation request. While you can't directly sue for monetary damages in most cases, documenting religious discrimination could strengthen your position. Keep detailed records of all communications and make sure to emphasize in your appeal that this was a religious accommodation issue, not simply refusing work.

I just want to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed and supportive discussion! I've been lurking in this community for a while but finally created an account because this thread answered so many questions I've had. I'm currently receiving UI benefits but they're set to run out in about 6 weeks, and I was honestly terrified about applying for any other assistance. The fear of accidentally doing something wrong or "double dipping" had me paralyzed, but reading all these real experiences has shown me that people successfully navigate both systems all the time. The practical advice here is gold - especially about being transparent with both agencies, keeping detailed documentation, bringing unemployment paperwork to DSS appointments, and reporting gross (not net) amounts. I'm going to call my local DSS office next week to start exploring my options before I'm in crisis mode. It's amazing how much less scary this feels when you have actual information from people who've been through it rather than just confusing government websites. Thanks for creating such a helpful and non-judgmental space to discuss these challenges!

I'm new to this community but so grateful I found this discussion! I've been in a similar situation - my UI benefits ended about two weeks ago and I was terrified to apply for any other assistance because of all the horror stories you hear about benefit fraud investigations. Reading everyone's real experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. The consistent message about transparency and documentation really stands out. I actually took the advice from this thread and called my local DSS office yesterday. The eligibility worker was surprisingly helpful and patient - she explained that they work with people transitioning between UI and cash assistance regularly, and that as long as I'm honest about my situation and report everything correctly, there shouldn't be any issues. She scheduled me for an appointment next week and told me exactly which documents to bring. I'm still nervous, but having this roadmap from all of you has made the process feel much less overwhelming. Thank you for creating such a supportive space where people can share practical advice without judgment!

I just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might be in a similar situation - I waited almost 5 months before filing last year because I was dealing with some family issues on top of the job loss and just felt completely overwhelmed by everything. When I finally did file, not only was there no penalty, but the NYS Department of Labor staff I spoke with were actually really understanding about why people sometimes delay filing. They see it all the time - people think they'll find work quickly, or they're dealing with other life stresses, or they're just not sure about the process. The key thing to remember is that unemployment benefits exist specifically to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, and that includes you! You've been paying into this system through your taxes, so don't feel guilty about using it when you need it. I wish I had filed sooner, but I'm just grateful I finally did. Start the process as soon as you can and be patient with yourself through it.

I'm reading through all these responses as someone who's also been putting off filing, and it's honestly such a relief to see I'm not alone in this situation! I lost my job in November due to budget cuts and kept thinking I'd find something before the holidays, then after the new year, and now here we are in late January. I've been so worried that waiting this long would somehow disqualify me or that there would be penalties. Seeing everyone's experiences - especially those who waited 4-5 months and still got approved - is giving me the confidence to finally start the application process. It sounds like the key is just being honest about your employment history and separation reason, which in my case was also completely involuntary. I'm going to gather my documents this weekend and file early next week. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - sometimes you just need to hear from real people who've been through the same thing!