Just wanted to add that timing is everything here. Don't let any gap happen between when your disability ends and when you file for unemployment. The sooner you file after being medically cleared, the better for your claim processing.

I went through something very similar when I was on disability for a back injury and got laid off during my recovery. The key thing to remember is that NY state considers these two benefits mutually exclusive - you literally cannot receive both at the same time because of the "able and available" requirement for unemployment. What I did was keep all my paperwork organized (layoff notice, final disability payment stub, doctor's release) so when I was cleared to work, I could file my UI claim immediately. Also heads up - when you do file, they'll ask specific questions about any disability benefits you received and the dates, so having exact dates ready will speed up the process. The waiting period after filing felt endless but it all worked out once the system verified I was no longer on disability.

I'm currently in a very similar situation - was on short-term disability for 6 weeks due to a work-related injury, got cleared by my doctor to return to work last Monday, but my supervisor informed me that my role was eliminated as part of company-wide layoffs that happened while I was out. I filed for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor on Wednesday and wanted to share what I learned from the process. The online application was pretty straightforward, and they did ask specifically about my ability to work (which I confirmed with my medical clearance) and the circumstances of my job separation. I made sure to explain that my position was eliminated while I was on approved medical leave, not due to any performance issues. The rep I spoke with said this type of situation is actually quite common and shouldn't cause any problems with eligibility as long as I'm medically cleared and actively seeking work. Still waiting to hear back on approval, but feeling optimistic based on everyone's experiences here!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! Was on short-term disability for 3 months after a car accident, got medical clearance to return to work, but my company had eliminated my position during "cost-cutting measures" while I was out. Filed for unemployment immediately after getting my clearance letter and was approved within about 2 weeks. The key things that helped me were: 1) Having my medical clearance documentation ready, 2) Being clear that I was able and available for work, and 3) explaining that my job loss was due to company restructuring, not anything I did. NYS Department of Labor was actually very understanding about the situation. Don't stress too much - this type of scenario is more common than you'd think, and as long as you're medically cleared and ready to work, you should be fine. Make sure to file your weekly certifications on time even while waiting for approval!

Just wanted to share my recent experience for anyone else going through this same confusion! I got that exact "claim can now be paid" email about 10 days ago and was completely lost - like you, I kept looking for the word "approved" somewhere and couldn't find it! Turns out that really IS their approval notification, just written in the most confusing way possible. My first payment hit my account exactly 8 days after getting that email via direct deposit. One thing that really helped me stay calm during the wait was following everyone's advice here about checking the Payment History section in my online account - seeing it show "Pending" confirmed things were moving along. Also definitely second what others have said about that automated phone line (888-209-8124) - it's so much better than trying to get through to a human! The key thing is absolutely keeping up with those weekly certifications while you wait. I almost skipped one week thinking it didn't matter since I hadn't been paid yet, but thankfully I read this thread first and realized how big of a mistake that would have been. Congrats on getting approved - you're so close to the finish line now!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through this exact same confusion about 3 weeks ago! That "claim can now be paid" email definitely means you're approved - I know it's frustrating that they don't just use clear language like "congratulations, your claim is approved" but that's NYSDOL for you! My payment took exactly 5 days to hit my account after getting that email. One thing I found really helpful was downloading my bank's mobile app since it often shows pending transactions before they fully process, which gave me peace of mind that the payment was on its way. Also want to emphasize what others have said about triple-checking your direct deposit info for any typos - a friend of mine had a single wrong digit in their routing number and it delayed their payment by over a week. The most important thing now is to keep doing those weekly certifications religiously, even while waiting for your first payment. I see you mentioned doing them on Sundays which is perfect - just don't skip any weeks or you'll create much bigger problems down the line. You're basically at the finish line now, just need to be patient for a few more days!

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare. I swear they make it as difficult as possible on purpose. Good luck OP, you're gonna need it dealing with their bureaucracy.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I had to quit due to a toxic manager. The key thing is to file your claim right away - don't wait any longer! When you file online, there's a section where you can explain why you left your job. Be detailed about the hostile work environment and mention that you have documentation. NYS DOL will schedule a phone interview to go over your case, and that's when you'll present your evidence (those text messages and HR complaint). Even if it takes a few weeks to get a decision, you'll still get backdated benefits to when you first filed if they approve you. The worst thing you can do is wait longer - every day you delay is a day you could potentially lose benefits.

I went through this exact same worry when I got laid off 6 months ago! Had about $120k in my 401k and was panicking that it would disqualify me somehow. But everyone here is absolutely right - the NYS Department of Labor only cares about your work wages for calculating benefits. Your retirement savings are completely separate. I've been collecting unemployment for months now with zero issues. The key thing to remember is just don't touch that 401k money while you're on unemployment, because then it becomes actual income you'd need to report. But as long as it's just sitting there growing (hopefully!), you're totally fine. Good luck with your claim!

I'm in a similar boat - just got laid off two weeks ago and have been stressing about this exact question! Reading through everyone's responses here is so helpful. I have about $60k in my 401k and was worried it would somehow count against me when I file my claim. It's reassuring to see that multiple people have gone through this process successfully without their retirement savings affecting their benefits. The distinction between assets vs income that Madison explained really makes sense. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!