just to add my experience - i was on medical leave for 6 weeks and definitely couldn't get unemployment. but like others said, short term disability through work covered part of my salary during that time. check with your HR department about what benefits you might have had available

I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. The confusion is totally understandable because the rules can seem contradictory. Here's the bottom line: NYS unemployment requires you to be "able, available, and actively seeking work." Medical leave automatically disqualifies you because you're declaring yourself unable to work. However, there are a few important things to know: 1) If you had short-term disability insurance through your employer or purchased it independently, that would have been the appropriate benefit during your medical leave, 2) Some people don't realize their employer offers disability benefits - it's worth checking with HR even now to understand what was available, and 3) The timing matters - you could potentially file for unemployment AFTER you're medically cleared but before returning to work, if there's a gap. For future reference, always ask HR about all available benefits when taking medical leave - many people miss out on disability benefits they're entitled to.

Once you file your initial claim, you'll need to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits. Don't forget to do this even if your claim is still pending - you can lose weeks of benefits if you don't certify.

Sorry to hear you're going through this stress - layoffs are really tough. One thing I'd add is to start gathering your employment documents now while you still have access to everything. Keep copies of recent pay stubs, your offer letter, and any company handbook info about layoff procedures. Also, if your company offers any severance package, make sure to understand how that might affect your unemployment benefits timing. Some people don't realize that severance can sometimes delay when your benefits start. The good news is that with 2 years of full-time work, you should definitely qualify. Hang in there!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently went through this process in Buffalo. The $504 maximum is definitely correct for 2025 - I can confirm that personally. One thing that caught me off guard was that even though I qualified for the maximum weekly amount, my first payment was slightly delayed because they had to verify my identity through ID.me. The verification process took about 3-4 business days, so don't panic if there's a short delay beyond the usual waiting period. Also, make sure your direct deposit information is accurate when you set up your account - any errors there can cause additional delays in receiving your payments. The whole system actually worked pretty well once I got through the initial setup. Good luck with your application Grant!

This has been such an informative thread! I'm in a similar boat - just got notice that my position at a tech startup in Rochester is being eliminated next month. Making about $72k so it sounds like I'll also qualify for the $504 maximum. I'm wondering though, does anyone know if there are any differences in the application process or benefit calculations if you get advance notice of a layoff versus being laid off immediately? I have about 3 weeks before my last day, so I'm trying to figure out if I should wait until my actual termination date to file or if there's anything I can do to prepare in advance. Also, has anyone dealt with severance pay and how that affects the timing of when you can start collecting benefits? My company mentioned a small severance package but I'm not sure how that interacts with unemployment eligibility.

Just want to add that if you do eventually transition from disability back to work, make sure you understand the timeline for filing unemployment if you end up losing that job. There are specific rules about when you can file after returning from disability leave.

I went through something similar about 8 months ago with a knee injury. One thing that really helped me was documenting everything - keep all your medical records, correspondence with your employer about return-to-work options, and any communications with your disability insurance provider. Even though you can't collect both benefits simultaneously, having good documentation will be crucial if your situation changes (like if you get cleared for light duty but your job can't accommodate it, or when you eventually transition back to work). Also, don't forget to check if your employer offers any supplemental benefits or employee assistance programs that might help bridge the gap during your recovery period.

Ruby, I went through something similar when I was pregnant with my second child. The key thing to understand is that NYS unemployment law requires you to be "able and available" for work, but medical restrictions don't automatically disqualify you if there are jobs you CAN still do with those restrictions. Since your doctor put you on modified bed rest with a 10-pound lifting restriction, you'd need to show that you're still able to perform other types of work that don't involve heavy lifting - like office work, customer service, etc. Document everything with your employer about the accommodation request, and when you file your claim, emphasize that you're willing and able to work within your medical restrictions. The NYS Department of Labor will evaluate whether there are suitable jobs available for someone with your limitations. Also definitely look into Paid Family Leave as PrinceJoe mentioned - that might be a better fit for your situation.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - 6 months pregnant and my retail job involves a lot of standing and lifting that I can't do anymore per my doctor's orders. What I learned from talking to a lawyer is that you might want to first request accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - pregnancy-related medical conditions can qualify for temporary accommodations. If your employer refuses reasonable accommodations (like reassigning you to lighter duties), then you have a stronger case for unemployment benefits. The NYS Department of Labor will look at whether your employer made good faith efforts to keep you employed within your restrictions. Also check if your employer offers short-term disability - that might bridge the gap until your baby is born and you can apply for Paid Family Leave. Don't give up without exploring all your options first!