I'm in a similar boat but with anxiety issues. My therapist says I can work but only certain environments. This whole system is so confusing and I'm worried I'll mess something up and get in trouble. What if they think I'm trying to fraud the system?

I actually work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and deal with these situations regularly. The key distinction is between "totally disabled" and "partially disabled with restrictions." If you can perform any type of work - even with accommodations - you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. NYS Department of Labor will evaluate whether you're "able and available" for work within your limitations. Make sure to get a detailed functional capacity evaluation from your doctor that specifies what you CAN do, not just what you can't. When you file, be completely transparent about your restrictions and emphasize your willingness to work within those parameters. Keep detailed records of your job search efforts focusing on positions that match your capabilities.

just focus on nailing the interview, background checks are mostly looking for criminal stuff anyway

I went through this exact same worry when I was job hunting after being on unemployment for 6 months. Can confirm that none of my background checks ever showed my UI claim. The only thing that came up during interviews was explaining the employment gap, which I handled by saying I was laid off and had been actively job searching. Most interviewers were understanding about it. Don't stress too much about the background check - focus on preparing good answers for any questions about your employment timeline. Good luck with your interviews!

Yo anyone else's payments randomly stop for "verification" recently? I swear NY unemployment is finding any excuse to not pay people these days 😤

I'm in a similar boat but got fired from a nursing home for the same reason. Been waiting 2 months for my appeal hearing after getting initially denied. One thing that helped me was documenting that I tried to get a religious exemption but they basically ignored my paperwork. Also saved all the emails showing they kept changing the deadline - first it was Sept 30, then Oct 15, then suddenly Oct 1st again. The inconsistency might help your case. Don't give up! The system sucks but some people are winning these appeals if they have good documentation.

The whole system is a mess honestly. They make it so complicated when people are already stressed about finding work. I've been doing my 3 searches religiously but half the jobs posted online aren't even real openings.

I feel your frustration about the confusing requirements! Just to add some clarity - the 3 job search activities per week is correct, and they can include a variety of things beyond just online applications. I've found that attending virtual career workshops through the NY Career Center also counts, and they're actually pretty helpful. You can access them through the DOL website. Also, if you're in a specific field, reaching out to recruiters or staffing agencies counts too. The important thing is keeping that detailed log with dates, company names, and what type of activity you did. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything - makes it much easier when it's time to file your weekly claim.

did u check if ur school has emergency funds for students? my community college had grants for people in ur exact situation. worth asking the financial aid office!

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. Just wanted to add that NY does have a specific provision for "approved training" programs, but they're pretty strict about what qualifies. The training has to be approved by NYSDOL beforehand, and you typically need to apply for this approval while you're still employed, not after you quit. For nursing programs, you'd need to check if your specific school/program is on their approved list. Also, even if approved, you still need to be available for work during non-school hours and actively job searching. It's definitely worth checking the NYSDOL website or calling them directly rather than assuming either way.