I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 24 weeks in and getting really anxious about what happens next. One thing I found that might help is checking if you qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job loss was due to foreign trade or outsourcing. It can extend benefits and provide retraining funds. Also, some people don't know about the Work Sharing Program - if you find part-time work, you might still be able to collect partial benefits. Definitely worth looking into! Stay strong, we're all in this together 💪

I'm in a similar situation - just hit week 22 and starting to panic. One thing that's helped me is connecting with my local One-Stop Career Center. They have job search workshops and sometimes know about programs that aren't widely advertised. Also, if you're over 50, check out the SCSEP program (Senior Community Service Employment Program) - it provides training and work experience while you job hunt. Don't give up! I know it's scary but there are more resources out there than we realize. Keep documenting all your job search activities too - you never know when that info might be useful for additional programs.

The general rule is you stop when you're no longer unemployed or underemployed. Full-time work = stop filing. Part-time work = keep filing but report everything honestly. NYS Department of Labor is pretty clear about this in their handbook, but I know it can be confusing when you're in the middle of it.

One thing to add - make sure you understand the difference between "accepting" a job offer and actually starting work. I learned the hard way that you can accept an offer on Monday but if you don't start until the following week, you're still unemployed for that entire week and should file your claim. The key date is when you actually begin working and earning wages, not when you shake hands on the deal. Also, keep all your paperwork (offer letter, start date confirmation, etc.) in case NYS Department of Labor ever needs to verify your timeline.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I've made a checklist of everything I need to do tomorrow: 1. Talk to HR about NYS Disability Benefits and get the DB-450 form 2. Make appointment with my OB to get their portion completed ASAP 3. Look up my local WIC office and application process 4. Contact DSS about any other assistance programs 5. Ask hospital about meeting with social worker during my stay I'm still shocked at how low the disability benefit is, but at least it's something. I'll update after I talk to HR tomorrow. Fingers crossed this all works out!

Also wanted to mention - don't forget to check if you qualify for HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and see if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs. When I was in a similar situation, these programs helped me keep the lights on and avoid eviction during those tough first few months. The income limits are usually pretty reasonable for new families. You can usually apply for HEAP through the same DSS office. Also, if you're planning to breastfeed, WIC provides extra food allowances for nursing mothers which can really help stretch your grocery budget. Wishing you the best with everything - you've got this! 💪

Just went through this process myself last month. One tip that really helped - when you get that UC-309 form, read it carefully because it will tell you exactly what information NYS Department of Labor is looking for. They usually want the last day worked, reason for separation, and any relevant dates. If you have an employee handbook or written policies that were violated, include copies of those too. The key is being factual and specific rather than vague. And definitely don't miss that 10-day deadline - I learned the hard way that extensions are really rare.

One more thing to consider - if this is your first time dealing with unemployment claims, you might want to check if your company has an employment attorney or HR consultant who can review your response before submitting it. They can help ensure you're providing the right level of detail without over-sharing information that isn't relevant. Also, keep in mind that NYS Department of Labor maintains records of these responses, so consistency is important if you have multiple claims from former employees over time.

Glad to hear you're feeling better! Just remember that even after the 5 paid days from your employer, you need to follow up on your state benefits application. They don't automatically kick in - the two systems are separate. And don't return to work until you're fully cleared, even if there's pressure from your job. Your health comes first!

Hope you recover fully soon! One thing I wanted to add that might help others reading this - if you're having trouble getting your employer to provide the required COVID sick pay, you can also contact the New York State Attorney General's office. They have a worker protection unit that handles violations of the COVID sick leave law. I had to use this when my previous employer tried to claim they "didn't know" about the requirement. The AG's office got them to pay up within a week. Just another resource to keep in mind if anyone runs into employer pushback on this.