Just went through this myself. Had to stop my unemployment when my disability got approved. Make sure you understand the timeline because there can be gaps in payments when you're switching between programs.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. My advice is to be really careful about the timing if you're thinking about applying for SSI while on unemployment. When you apply for SSI, you're essentially saying you can't work due to disability, but with unemployment you're certifying weekly that you're able and available for work. These statements contradict each other. I'd recommend talking to someone at the Social Security office first to understand how an SSI application might affect your current unemployment benefits before you file anything. Don't want you to lose your current income while waiting months for an SSI decision.

i know this sounds weird but try calling from a different phone number if you can. I think they might be filtering out people who call repeatedly from the same number

I've been dealing with the same nightmare for weeks! The system is absolutely broken. I tried calling every single number on that list @Luca Conti posted and still couldn't get through. Finally broke down and used that Claimyr service everyone keeps mentioning - honestly wasn't sure if it was legit but I was desperate. They actually got me connected to an agent in about 90 minutes and I got my pending claims sorted out. Cost me $20 but saved my sanity and got me $2800 in back benefits. Sometimes you just gotta pay to play unfortunately 😔

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a nightmare honestly. Between the website crashes, the phone lines being jammed, and unclear instructions about what documentation they actually want, it's like they're trying to make it impossible to get benefits. At least now I know I don't have to upload every single week.

I've been dealing with the same frustrating upload issues! What finally worked for me was creating a simple table in Google Docs with my job search activities, then downloading it as a PDF. Make sure the file name doesn't have any special characters - just use something like "JobSearch_Week_01_23_2025.pdf". Also, try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening when fewer people are using the system. The servers seem less overloaded then and I've had better success getting files to actually submit.

just file already!! the worst they can do is say no and then you know for sure. i filed when i wasn't even sure if i qualified and it worked out fine. you have to be unemployed or underemployed and actively looking for work, that's basically it

I went through something similar when my manufacturing job cut my hours from 40 to 15 per week. The key thing is to file as soon as possible because there's a waiting period before benefits start. For partial unemployment in NY, you can earn up to a certain amount (I think it's around $504 per week) before it affects your benefits. You report your earnings each week when you certify, and they calculate your partial payment. The system is actually pretty straightforward once you get started - don't let the website intimidate you. Just make sure you have all your employer information ready and your Social Security card when you file. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you'll know exactly what you qualify for.

Just make sure you keep up with the job search requirements too! You need to document your job search activities or they can cut off your benefits even if you have weeks left.

Based on what others have shared, 26 weeks seems to be the standard maximum for NY state unemployment. I'm curious though - has anyone here had experience with the job search requirements that Freya mentioned? I want to make sure I'm documenting everything correctly from the start so I don't run into issues later. What exactly do they require you to track?