You're absolutely doing everything right by reporting your earnings! I've been in a similar situation and the anxiety is totally understandable. Just to add to what others have said - the NYS Department of Labor actually encourages part-time work while on unemployment because it helps people transition back to full employment. The partial benefit system is designed specifically for situations like yours. Keep detailed records of your work hours and pay stubs, and continue reporting honestly each week. You're not going to get in trouble for working part-time and reporting it correctly - that's exactly what you're supposed to do!

I went through this exact same worry when I started doing some freelance work while on unemployment! The anxiety is real, but you're handling it perfectly by reporting everything. One thing that helped me feel more confident was calling the NYS Department of Labor directly to confirm my understanding of the partial benefit rules - even though the wait times can be brutal. They were actually really helpful and reassured me that as long as you're honest about your earnings and keep good records, you're doing exactly what the system is designed for. The partial benefit program exists specifically to help people like us transition back to steady work without losing all support immediately. Keep up the good work with the restaurant shifts - sounds like a great way to get back into the workforce!

The system is so messed up. I reported my return to work properly and they STILL sent me a questionnaire 3 weeks later asking why I stopped filing claims. Like, hello, I told you I went back to work! Had to call and explain everything again. Just keep records of what you report in case they question it later.

Just went through this exact situation last month! You definitely want to file that final weekly claim for the week you started working. When you're filling it out, there should be a question about returning to work - make sure to put your exact start date (Tuesday in your case). The system will automatically calculate any partial benefits you might be owed for the days before you started. After you submit that claim with your return-to-work date, your unemployment claim will be closed and you won't need to file anymore. Don't worry, you're doing the right thing by reporting it properly!

This is such a helpful thread for someone just starting this process! I got laid off last Friday from my job in Buffalo and I'm still trying to wrap my head around all the unemployment requirements. My HR department mentioned they'll be sending me around $1,400 in vacation pay in a couple weeks, and honestly I had no clue this would impact my unemployment benefits at all. After reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear I need to get ahead of this - my weekly gross was about $350, so that vacation pay covers exactly 4 weeks. I'm going to call HR first thing Monday to get the official documentation showing which specific weeks the vacation time covers. It's frustrating that the NYS Department of Labor website doesn't explain any of this clearly, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their real experiences. Better to do this right from the start than deal with audit problems later!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently dealing with this exact situation - got laid off from my job in Syracuse about 10 days ago and just found out my employer will be paying out approximately $2,200 in accrued vacation time next month. My weekly gross salary was $550, so that works out to exactly 4 weeks of coverage. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences here has made it crystal clear that I need to: 1) Contact my HR department immediately to get official documentation showing which specific weeks the vacation pay covers, 2) Report $550 for each of the 4 weeks starting from the week after my last day of work (not when I receive the actual payment), and 3) Keep detailed records of everything for potential DOL audits later. What really stands out to me is how many people mentioned they wished they had this information when they first started - the official NYS Department of Labor guidance is practically useless for real-world situations like this. I'm definitely going to be proactive about getting proper documentation and reporting everything correctly from day one. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've saved me from potentially major compliance issues down the road!

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your employer contributes to New York State Disability Benefits (DBL) - this can provide partial wage replacement for the period when you're physically unable to work due to childbirth (usually around 6-8 weeks). It works alongside PFL, so you might be able to get DBL for the immediate recovery period and then transition to PFL for bonding time. Your employer's HR or payroll department should be able to tell you if they participate in the DBL program.

Just to echo what others have said - definitely don't try to use regular unemployment benefits for maternity leave. I learned this the hard way when my sister-in-law tried it a few years back. The NYS Department of Labor was pretty clear that unemployment is only for people who are actively job searching and available to start work immediately. Since you'll be caring for a newborn, you obviously won't meet those requirements. The PFL route that others mentioned is really your best bet - it's specifically designed for situations like yours where you need time off for family reasons but aren't actually unemployed. Good luck with everything and congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

One thing I learned from my own experience is that you should also check if your employer is offering any other benefits during the severance period, like continued health insurance coverage. Sometimes companies will maintain your benefits during severance which can affect how you report things to NYSDOL. Also, keep detailed records of all your severance payments and dates - if there are any issues with your claim later, having that documentation will save you a lot of headaches. The key is being completely transparent about everything when you file!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. I was laid off from a tech company after 4 years and received 10 weeks of severance. The waiting period was definitely stressful, but everything worked out exactly as described here. A few things I learned that might help: 1. File your initial claim online the day after your last day of work - don't wait until severance ends. This gets your claim in the system and they'll calculate your waiting period. 2. Keep checking your online account during the severance period. NYSDOL will sometimes request additional documents or clarification, and responding quickly helps avoid delays once you become eligible. 3. Your weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your regular wages from the base period, not the severance. So if you were making good money before the layoff, your benefits should reflect that. 4. Start your job search during the severance period if possible. You'll need to be actively seeking work once benefits kick in, and having a head start really helps. The system actually works pretty well once you understand it. Hang in there - those 8 weeks will go by faster than you think!