Ruby, I went through something similar when I was pregnant with my second child. The key thing to understand is that NYS unemployment law requires you to be "able and available" for work, but medical restrictions don't automatically disqualify you if there are jobs you CAN still do with those restrictions. Since your doctor put you on modified bed rest with a 10-pound lifting restriction, you'd need to show that you're still able to perform other types of work that don't involve heavy lifting - like office work, customer service, etc. Document everything with your employer about the accommodation request, and when you file your claim, emphasize that you're willing and able to work within your medical restrictions. The NYS Department of Labor will evaluate whether there are suitable jobs available for someone with your limitations. Also definitely look into Paid Family Leave as PrinceJoe mentioned - that might be a better fit for your situation.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - 6 months pregnant and my retail job involves a lot of standing and lifting that I can't do anymore per my doctor's orders. What I learned from talking to a lawyer is that you might want to first request accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - pregnancy-related medical conditions can qualify for temporary accommodations. If your employer refuses reasonable accommodations (like reassigning you to lighter duties), then you have a stronger case for unemployment benefits. The NYS Department of Labor will look at whether your employer made good faith efforts to keep you employed within your restrictions. Also check if your employer offers short-term disability - that might bridge the gap until your baby is born and you can apply for Paid Family Leave. Don't give up without exploring all your options first!

As someone who works in healthcare administration, I can confirm that nurses are absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits in New York. The confusion might come from the fact that healthcare workers are often in high demand, but that doesn't affect your eligibility for UI benefits when you're laid off through no fault of your own. Since you were laid off due to budget cuts (which is considered involuntary separation), you should definitely qualify. Make sure to file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period, and benefits are calculated based on your wages during your base period. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a travel nurse and had to file for unemployment between assignments last year when my contract ended early due to hospital budget issues. The process was actually smoother than I expected! I filed online through the NYS DOL website and got approved within about 10 days. The key is being clear that your separation was involuntary - budget cuts definitely qualify. One thing to note is that if you have any upcoming contracts or job offers, you'll need to report those when you file your weekly claims. But being a nurse absolutely does NOT disqualify you from benefits. Your coworkers might be thinking of workers' compensation or some other program. File as soon as you can!

Here's what you do: 1) Take a screenshot of your current claim info showing 0 effective days but benefit year still active 2) Keep certifying each week without fail 3) If no payment after 2 weeks, call them I went thru this in January. Everything worked out but I was sweating bullets thinking I'd lose my benefits. The ny unemployment system is so old and glitchy.

I'm in literally the exact same boat right now! Hit 0 effective days last week but my benefit year doesn't end until March 20th. It's so nerve-wracking when you see that zero but still have bills to pay. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like the consensus is to keep certifying and give it 2-3 weeks before calling. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - makes me feel less alone in this confusing mess. Going to take screenshots of everything like Samuel suggested and just keep my fingers crossed the system sorts itself out automatically. Has anyone else noticed if there's a particular day of the week payments usually resume when this happens?

@OP - any updates? Were you able to get this resolved?

Just wanted to add another perspective - I'm currently dealing with this same identity verification nightmare and it's been 5 weeks for me. What's really frustrating is that different agents seem to give different information when you finally do get through. One told me it takes 2-3 weeks, another said 6-8 weeks, and a third said they couldn't see any timeline at all. The inconsistency is maddening when you're trying to plan your finances. I'm going to try the state representative route based on what people are saying here. Has anyone had luck with contacting the governor's office directly, or is that a waste of time?

If the website isnt working right, try disabling all browser extensions and using incognito mode. The NY unemployment site has the worst security certificates and it conflicts with a lot of privacy tools. Just sharing what worked for me!

I feel your pain @Oliver - been there and it's absolutely maddening. After reading through all these responses, here's what I'd recommend trying in order: 1) Use claimyr.com like several people mentioned - seems to have the highest success rate based on the comments here, 2) Try calling from a different phone number in case yours got flagged as a "repeat caller", 3) Use Microsoft Edge or clear your cache/cookies before trying the website again, 4) Contact your state rep if the above doesn't work. The system is designed to wear you down, but don't let it. You've paid into this system and deserve your benefits. Hang in there! 💪