I've been following this thread as someone who was also terrified to file due to employer retaliation concerns, and I wanted to share what finally helped me take action. What shifted my perspective was realizing that by NOT filing, I was essentially letting my former employer continue to control my financial situation even after they'd already terminated me. The NYS DOL system exists specifically to protect workers in situations like ours - where employers might try to avoid paying higher UI taxes by making false or exaggerated claims about why someone was let go. Here's what I did that made the process less scary: I spent one evening writing down everything I could remember about my last few weeks of employment - dates, conversations, witnesses present, any emails or texts I'd sent to friends/family about work issues. Then I filed my claim the next day before I could second-guess myself again. Having that documentation ready gave me confidence that I could respond effectively if my employer tried to contest with false information. The reality is that most employers either don't contest at all or can't provide adequate documentation when they do. The adjudicators have seen every trick in the book and are good at spotting employers who are just trying to avoid paying into the system. Don't let fear of what someone might say cost you benefits you've literally paid for through your payroll deductions. You deserve that financial support while you look for new work!

I was in a very similar situation about 8 months ago and want to share what I learned to hopefully ease your anxiety. Yes, NYS DOL does contact your employer, but the process is much more structured and fair than you might be imagining. They send Form IA 12.3 which asks very specific questions about your separation - it's not an open forum for your boss to vent or make unsubstantiated claims. What really helped me was understanding that if your employer wants to dispute your claim, they need actual documentation to back up their version of events. In my case, my former manager tried to claim I was terminated for "unprofessional behavior" but when pressed for evidence, all they had were some vague notes that didn't follow any formal disciplinary process. The adjudicator approved my claim within about 10 days because there was no proper documentation trail. My biggest mistake was waiting almost a month to file because I was scared of what my employer might say. That cost me nearly $1,000 in benefits that I could never get back since there's no retroactive payment before your filing date. Don't let fear of your former boss's potential lies rob you of money you've rightfully earned through your payroll contributions. The NYS DOL investigators are experienced with dishonest employers and know what red flags to look for. File your claim now and use the waiting period to gather any documentation you have - emails, texts, pay stubs, anything that supports your timeline of events. You've got this!

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO SCREW US OVER! They don't tell you about these rules upfront and then penalize you for not knowing. Two months of lost benefits is thousands of dollars down the drain because NYS Department of Labor can't be bothered to make their rules clear.

Don't beat yourself up too much about waiting - a lot of people don't realize they can file right away after job loss. The important thing is you're doing it now! When you file, make sure you have all your employment info ready (dates, employer details, reason for separation) to speed up the process. Also be prepared that your first payment might take a few weeks to arrive, so if you have any emergency assistance programs in your area, might be worth looking into those while you wait for UI benefits to kick in.

The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing about this stuff!! I asked my caseworker about disability and they just said to 'look into it' but gave me no actual guidance. Meanwhile I'm struggling to meet the job search requirements because of my back problems.

Apply for SSDI immediately - don't wait. The application process is lengthy and you want to get your claim date established. You can continue UI while the disability application is pending, just be honest about your medical limitations when filing your weekly claims. If you're approved for disability retroactively, you may need to repay some unemployment benefits, but it's better than having no income at all.

totally get the confusion here! when my back went out I was in the same spot

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. Here's what I learned: you CAN apply for both, but timing and documentation are crucial. When your condition worsened after starting unemployment, that's actually a legitimate reason for the change in your work status. I recommend keeping detailed medical records showing the progression of your condition. When you do your weekly unemployment certification, be honest about any limitations - if you can only work part-time or need accommodations, state that. The key is consistency between what you tell unemployment and what you tell Social Security. Also, SSDI takes months to process, so you'll likely exhaust your unemployment benefits before any SSDI decision anyway. Just make sure to document everything and consider consulting with a disability attorney if you can afford it.

Just be prepared that they might deny your initial claim and you'll have to appeal. The burden of proof is on you to show you had no choice but to quit. Document everything you can remember about the toxic behavior - dates, witnesses, any HR complaints you made. Even if you don't have written proof, your testimony during the hearing can still carry weight.

Don't give up before you even try! NYS Department of Labor actually sides with workers more often than people think when there's clear evidence of hostile work environments. The key is being thorough in your application and not leaving out any details about why continuing to work there wasn't reasonable.