Just wanted to add another perspective on the timing aspect - I went through a similar situation when I injured my back in a warehouse accident. One thing that caught me off guard was that there can be a waiting period before workers comp payments start (usually about a week in NY), so make sure you have some emergency funds if possible to cover that gap. Also, if your injury ends up being more serious than initially expected and takes longer to heal, workers comp should continue to cover you - don't let anyone pressure you to return to work before you're medically cleared. The construction industry can be tough about this stuff, but your health comes first. Document everything your doctor tells you about restrictions and recovery timeline. And definitely keep all your medical appointments - missing them can sometimes be used against you in the workers comp process. Hang in there, and don't be afraid to ask questions throughout the process!

Hey Malik, I'm really sorry to hear about your accident - that sounds incredibly scary and stressful. I've been through the workers comp process myself after a workplace injury, and I just wanted to emphasize what others have said about acting quickly. Even though you're a contractor, New York's workers comp laws are pretty good about covering construction workers regardless of employment classification. The key thing is that this happened while you were working, so you should definitely be covered. I'd also suggest asking your doctor for detailed documentation of your work restrictions - not just "can't work" but specific limitations like "no weight bearing on left leg" or "cannot climb ladders." This helps a lot with both the workers comp claim and potentially with unemployment later if you need to look for modified duty work. Also, if your employer or their insurance company tries to send you to their own doctor for a second opinion, that's normal - just make sure you keep seeing your own doctor too. Don't let them pressure you into accepting a settlement too quickly either. Take care of yourself and don't rush the healing process!

The whole system is so confusing! I was eligible but didn't realize I had to do the job search activities every week. Make sure you keep track of your job contacts because they can ask for your log anytime.

@Zoe Papadakis - definitely file your claim as soon as possible! There's usually a waiting week before benefits start, so the sooner you apply the better. You can file online at labor.ny.gov (not my.ny.gov). You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info for the past 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. Since you were laid off due to business reasons, you should qualify. Just make sure to file your weekly certifications on time once your claim is processed - you can usually do this online or by phone every week.

thanks for asking this, I was wondering the same thing

I work as a benefits counselor and want to clarify a few things here. While the one-year rule is generally true, New York has some specific provisions you should know about. First, if you can show "good cause" for the delay in filing (like serious illness, family emergency, etc.), they may waive the time limit. Second, any W-2 employment - even just a day or two - can potentially establish a new base period and reset your eligibility window. The gig work you mentioned could count if you received W-2s rather than 1099s. I'd strongly recommend going to your local Department of Labor office in person rather than just calling - they're often more helpful face-to-face. Bring any documentation of work you did after January 2024, even if it was minimal. Don't let anyone discourage you from trying - I've seen people get approved in situations that seemed hopeless.

Just to echo what others have said - there's definitely no age limit on unemployment benefits in NY! I'm a retired HR manager and dealt with this question many times over the years. The only requirements are that you lost your job through no fault of your own, earned sufficient wages during your base period, and are actively looking for work. Your 50+ years of work history actually works in your favor - you've more than earned these benefits. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. The warehouse experience you have is really valuable right now with all the logistics and distribution growth. Keep your chin up and keep applying - the right opportunity will come along!

I'm also in a similar situation - 65 and recently laid off from my retail job after 12 years. It's really encouraging to read all these responses confirming there's no age limit! I was also worried about this and had been putting off filing because I wasn't sure if I'd even qualify. The stress of job hunting at our age is already tough enough without worrying about benefit eligibility on top of it. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - it's given me the confidence to move forward with my claim. Good luck with your job search, and don't let anyone tell you that your years of experience aren't valuable!

I remember being super paranoid about this when I first filed. Turns out I was worried over nothing - nobody at my new job ever knew I had collected unemployment unless I told them. The records are definitely not something random people can access.

I work in HR and can confirm that employers absolutely cannot access unemployment records during the hiring process. There's no database we can check, and it would actually be illegal for us to discriminate based on whether someone previously received unemployment benefits. The only way we'd know is if you voluntarily disclosed it, which you're not required to do. Focus on your job search without worrying about this - your unemployment claim history is protected information.