Yeah I remember when I worked in HR we always had to budget for unemployment insurance costs. It's just part of doing business, like workers comp insurance.

Just to add some specific numbers - in NY the unemployment insurance tax rate for employers ranges from 0.6% to 9.9% of their payroll depending on their experience rating. New employers start at around 4.1%. So yes, your claim might bump up their rate slightly in future years, but that's literally what the system is designed for. Don't feel guilty about using benefits you're entitled to!

I work at a community assistance center and we're seeing this issue constantly with the new partial unemployment system. The "break in claim" error is happening to about 30% of our clients right now. It's a technical glitch that only a claims specialist can fix. If you can't get through by phone, another option is to contact your state representative's office. Many of them have staff dedicated to helping constituents with unemployment issues and they can escalate your case directly to NYSDOL's internal resolution team. Make sure you have your claim ID number, the date when the payments stopped, and documentation showing you've been certifying regularly. This will speed up the resolution process once you get through to someone.

any update? did u get thru?

I'm in almost the same boat - been on unemployment for 6 weeks and my back problems are getting so bad I can barely sit at a computer for interviews. This whole system is so confusing, why can't they just have clear guidelines about this stuff?

I actually work in benefits administration (not for NYS specifically) and wanted to clarify something important that hasn't been fully addressed here. The timing of when your disability began versus when you were receiving unemployment is crucial. If you become disabled AFTER you started receiving unemployment benefits, there's typically a grace period where you can continue receiving UI while pursuing disability - but you must report the change in your condition during your weekly certifications. The problem arises if you were already disabled when you applied for unemployment but didn't disclose it. I'd strongly recommend calling NYS Department of Labor AND consulting with a disability attorney before making any moves. Document everything with your doctor too - you'll need medical evidence of when your condition worsened if there are any questions later.

honestly the whole system is so frustrating... i had to deal with this same thing and nobody could give me a straight answer. ended up just picking one program because i was scared of getting in trouble

I work for a disability advocacy organization and see this question come up frequently. The key distinction is between "total disability" and "partial disability." If you're receiving short-term disability for a specific injury but your doctor has cleared you for modified work duties, you may qualify for both programs simultaneously. However, you must be completely transparent with both agencies. When filing for unemployment, you'll need to indicate your work restrictions and show you're actively seeking jobs within those limitations. The disability payments will likely reduce your UI benefit amount dollar-for-dollar, but you could still come out ahead financially. Document everything - your doctor's work capacity evaluation, job applications for suitable positions, and all communications with both agencies. Consider consulting with a benefits attorney if you're unsure, as incorrect reporting could result in overpayment demands later.

Just remember you have to keep detailed records of your job search activities because NYS Department of Labor can audit you at any time. I learned this the hard way when they asked me to provide documentation and I hadn't been keeping track properly.

Don't feel bad about asking these questions - the unemployment system can be really overwhelming at first! One thing that helped me when I was starting out was to gather all your employment documents before you even begin the application. Make sure you have your W-2s, pay stubs, and exact dates of employment ready. Also, when you do your weekly certifications, be honest about any work you do (even small gigs) because they will find out eventually and it's better to report it upfront than deal with an overpayment later. The NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about accuracy but they're also there to help people who genuinely need it.