also dont forget to certify every week going forward, not just the back weeks. i think the deadline is sunday but check your account

Just went through this exact same process last month! A few tips that helped me: 1) You can definitely claim all 6 weeks retroactively - that's what the system is designed for. 2) When you're filling out the weekly certifications, take your time with each one because you can't go back and edit them once submitted. 3) For the work search requirement, even if you didn't keep perfect records during adjudication, be honest about what you remember doing - checking job boards, updating your resume, etc. all count. 4) The first payment usually takes about 2-3 business days after you certify, but subsequent weeks are faster. Don't panic if there's a slight delay on the first one. You've got this!

Final update for anyone who finds this post later: My claim was approved! It took 5 days, not the 2-3 the agent initially said, but that's still way better than waiting for weeks. I got the determination letter today and my first payment should be processed next week. The key really was talking to an actual person who could understand my specific situation. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Congratulations on getting approved! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with the furlough-to-termination situation. I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's crazy how the system can be so inconsistent - some people wait weeks while others get approved in days. Really shows the importance of getting the right agent who understands these edge cases. Thanks for sharing your updates throughout the process!

Basically it's insurance against becoming unemployed. Just like car insurance protects you if you crash, unemployment insurance protects your income if you lose your job. The 'insurance' part means it's a program you pay into (through your employer) while working, then can claim benefits from when you need it.

To add to what others have said, here are the key eligibility requirements for NY unemployment insurance: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in at least two calendar quarters during your "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file), 2) You must have earned at least $2,600 in your highest-earning quarter, 3) Your total base period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings. Since you worked for 2 years, you should easily meet the work history requirement. The "covered employment" mentioned earlier just means jobs where your employer paid unemployment insurance taxes - which is most regular W-2 jobs. Being laid off definitely counts as losing your job through no fault of your own.

This is such a basic question but the NYS Department of Labor makes everything so confusing! Why can't they just say 'most recent job title' instead of 'main occupation'?? The whole system is designed to trip people up I swear.

Just went through this same process last month! Definitely use "retail supervisor" since that was your most recent position. The NYS Department of Labor uses this mainly to categorize your claim and for their records. Your food service experience will still be valuable and you can include all of that work history in the employment section. The key is being consistent throughout your application - whatever you put as your main occupation should match what you list as your last job. Good luck with your claim!

Good luck with everything! The transition from workers comp back to job searching can be stressful but at least you have the settlement to help while you look for work.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago with a knee injury workers comp case. The most important thing is having that medical clearance documentation ready - NYS Department of Labor will definitely want to see that you're physically able to work. Also, when you file online, there's a specific section about workers comp benefits where you'll need to be upfront about the settlement. They mainly care about whether any part of the settlement covers future wage loss (which it sounds like yours doesn't). The whole process took about 3 weeks for me to get approved. Make sure you start your work search activities right away since they'll ask for proof of job hunting efforts. Best of luck!