Wait, so if you're injured and can't work, you can't get unemployment? That seems backwards to me. I thought unemployment was for when you lose your job and need income support.

@Zoe Dimitriou I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago when I tore my ACL in a skiing accident. Like others have mentioned, regular unemployment won't work since you can't meet the "able and available" requirement with medical restrictions. But NY State Disability Benefits was a lifesaver for me! The application process through wcb.ny.gov was pretty straightforward - you'll need your medical records showing the injury and work restrictions. One tip: make sure your doctor is specific about the dates you're unable to work, as that affects your benefit period. The payments aren't as much as unemployment would be (it's a percentage of your wages), but it definitely helps bridge the gap while you recover. I'd also suggest applying as soon as possible since there's typically a waiting period before benefits start.

This whole system is so backwards! Why can't they just make it retroactive to your last day of work? It's like they're punishing people for not knowing the rules. I lost out on 3 weeks because nobody told me this when I got fired.

I completely understand the frustration - I went through the same thing when I got laid off from my restaurant job last year. The key thing everyone's mentioned is absolutely right: file TODAY. Don't wait another day. I learned the hard way that NYS doesn't backdate claims, so every day you delay is money out of your pocket. The application on my.ny.gov is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info from the last 18 months. Even if you're still job hunting (which is great!), you can continue looking while collecting benefits - just make sure to report any work you do. The system is designed to support you while you find your next job, so use it!

Just to add - if you're planning to start collecting Social Security while still getting unemployment, make sure you understand the earnings test if you're under full retirement age. But since unemployment isn't earned income, it shouldn't trigger the earnings test anyway.

This is really helpful information everyone! I'm in a similar boat - been laid off from my job at 62 and trying to figure out the best strategy. Just to clarify what I'm understanding: my NYS unemployment won't reduce my future Social Security retirement benefits, but if I start collecting SS now while getting unemployment, the combination might push me into a tax bracket where I have to pay taxes on the SS benefits? Also wondering if there are any other programs or benefits that unemployment might affect - like Medicare eligibility timing or anything else I should be aware of?

To clarify the job search requirements since there seems to be some confusion - it's 3 work search activities per week, not necessarily 3 job applications. This can include networking, attending job fairs, skills training, etc. You do need to keep records including employer name, date, method of contact, and position applied for. Regarding suitable work, in the first 10 weeks you can generally refuse work paying less than 80% of your previous wage, after that the standards become more flexible.

honestly the whole thing is a nightmare. took me 6 weeks just to get my first payment and that was with zero issues on my claim. good luck OP

I went through a similar investigation last year and it was nerve-wracking, but it worked out fine since I had kept good records. In my case, it was triggered because my former employer initially reported that I was terminated for cause, but later changed it to a layoff after I provided documentation. The investigation took about 6 weeks total. My advice: gather everything now - pay stubs, bank statements, job search logs, any emails with employers about your separation. Also, if you haven't already, request a copy of your complete unemployment file from NYS DOL so you can see exactly what information they have. Most investigations of honest claimants get resolved favorably, it's just a slow process.

I went through this exact same thing about 8 months ago and it was terrifying at first, but it turned out to be a data matching error. In my case, NYS DOL's system flagged me because someone with a similar name and birth date had filed fraudulent claims in a different region. The investigation took about 10 weeks total, but I was able to continue receiving benefits during the process (though they put a hold on payments for about 2 weeks initially). My biggest recommendation is to be proactive - don't wait for them to contact you again. Start gathering all your documentation now: employment separation letters, pay stubs from any part-time work, your job search activity logs, and any correspondence with former employers. Also, consider filing a Freedom of Information Act request to get your complete unemployment file so you can see exactly what triggered the investigation. Most importantly, respond to every communication immediately and keep copies of everything you send them. The fraud unit investigators are actually pretty reasonable once you get to talk to them - they deal with real fraud cases daily, so they can usually tell when someone is being honest.