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I went through something similar with a back injury from my job at a warehouse. What really helped me was getting a clear letter from my doctor that specified exactly what I could and couldn't do - like "can sit for 4 hours with breaks, no lifting over 10 lbs, no standing for extended periods." With that documentation, I was able to apply for unemployment because even though I couldn't do my regular warehouse job, I could potentially do office work or other seated positions. The NYS Department of Labor representative told me that as long as I was actively seeking work within my restrictions and my employer couldn't accommodate those restrictions, I qualified for benefits while my workers comp case was pending. Just make sure you're completely transparent about your limitations when you file - don't hide your injury but also don't oversell your disability if you can actually work in some capacity.
This is really helpful! I never thought about getting such a detailed letter from my doctor. Mine just wrote "unable to work" which probably isn't specific enough. Did you have any trouble finding employers who would consider hiring someone with those kinds of restrictions? I'm worried that even if I qualify for unemployment, nobody will want to hire me with all these limitations and then I'll get in trouble for not genuinely looking for work.
@Nia Thompson That s'a great question about job searching with restrictions! I had the same worry initially. What I found was that being upfront about my limitations during the application process actually saved everyone time - employers who couldn t'accommodate my restrictions would pass, but those who could were more likely to work with me. I did land a temporary data entry position that fit my sitting restrictions perfectly. The key for unemployment is showing you re'making genuine efforts to find work within your capabilities. I kept detailed records of my applications and made sure to apply to realistic positions like reception work, phone customer service, and other desk jobs. The unemployment office understood that I wasn t'just being picky - I was legitimately seeking work I could physically perform. Also, having that specific medical documentation helped when I had to explain my situation during my unemployment eligibility interview.
I'm going through something very similar right now - injured at work in January and still waiting on workers comp approval. What I learned from speaking with a benefits counselor is that you might qualify for unemployment if your doctor releases you for ANY type of work, even with restrictions. The trick is getting your doctor to be very specific about what you CAN do rather than just what you can't do. For example, instead of "cannot lift heavy objects," ask for something like "cleared for sedentary work, no lifting over 15 pounds, can work 6-8 hours with breaks." Then you can honestly say you're able and available for work that fits those restrictions while your workers comp processes. I'd recommend calling the NYS Department of Labor directly to discuss your specific situation before filing anything - they were actually pretty helpful in explaining how the two programs can work together legally.
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been so worried about doing something wrong that I haven't filed for anything yet, but you're right about getting the doctor to be specific about capabilities rather than just limitations. My work injury was pretty similar timeline-wise and I'm in that same limbo waiting for workers comp. Did you end up filing for unemployment while your workers comp was still pending? I'm curious how that worked out and if there were any complications when the workers comp eventually got approved.
Yeah the benefit amount is locked in when you first file. I've been on unemployment twice and it never changed mid-claim even when there were minimum wage increases both times.
Just to add another perspective - I was initially disappointed when I realized my benefits wouldn't increase with the new minimum wage, but honestly it makes sense from a legal standpoint. The unemployment insurance system is designed to replace a percentage of wages you actually earned and contributed to the system through payroll taxes. Those contributions were based on your historical wages, not future wage rates. If you start a new claim after working at the higher minimum wage, then your benefits would be calculated using those higher wages in your base period.
That's a really good explanation @Khalil Urso! I was also bummed at first but you're right - it's basically insurance based on what you already paid into the system. Makes me wonder though, when this benefit year ends and if I need to file a new claim later, would they use wages from jobs I had during this higher minimum wage period? Or would it still be based on even older wages?
I had the same confusion when I first filed! MWA is definitely not something most regular unemployment claimants need to worry about. I've been collecting UI benefits for a few months now and that field has stayed blank the entire time without any issues. The key thing is just making sure you're doing your required work search activities and certifying your weekly claims on time. Don't stress about the empty MWA field - it won't hold up your benefits.
Thanks Ellie! That's such a relief to hear from someone who's been through the process. I was getting worried that leaving it blank would somehow flag my account or cause delays. It's reassuring to know that you've been collecting benefits without any issues despite the empty MWA field. I'll focus on keeping up with my work search requirements and weekly certifications instead of stressing about acronyms I don't understand.
I went through the same confusion when I first started my claim! MWA definitely threw me off too. Like others have said, it's only relevant if you're in specific work training programs through social services. I've had my unemployment claim active for about 8 weeks now with that field completely blank and haven't had any problems with my weekly payments. The NYS DOL system can be really confusing with all these different fields and acronyms, but don't let an empty MWA field stress you out. Just focus on your regular job search activities and weekly certifications - that's what actually matters for your UI benefits.
Pro tip for everyone struggling with the NY unemployment website - if you're using an older browser or have strict privacy settings, some of the navigation elements might not load properly. I had this issue where the Payment History section wasn't showing up at all until I switched to Chrome and disabled my ad blocker temporarily. Also, make sure you're fully logged out and back in if you've been on the site for a while - sometimes the session gets wonky and certain pages won't display correctly. The website definitely has its quirks but these tricks usually help when things aren't working as expected!
This is super helpful! I've been having issues with certain sections not loading properly and never thought it could be a browser compatibility thing. I'm usually pretty stubborn about using Firefox but might need to switch to Chrome for this. The session timeout issue makes total sense too - I've definitely been logged in for hours trying to figure this out. Thanks for the technical troubleshooting tips!
Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble finding these documents, you can also request them by mail if needed. I had to do this once when the website was down for maintenance during tax season. You can call the NYSDOL customer service line and request they mail you a paper copy of your 1099-G and payment history - it takes about 7-10 business days to arrive, but it's a good backup option if you're running into technical issues with the website or need official hard copies for your records.
That's really good to know about the mail option! I didn't realize you could request paper copies if the website isn't cooperating. 7-10 business days isn't too bad if you're planning ahead for tax season. Do you know if there's a fee for getting the documents mailed, or is it free? This could be a lifesaver for people who are having persistent technical issues or don't have reliable internet access.
Luca Russo
yeah they definitely take it out automatically. happened to my brother when he was on unemployment last year. just be glad you're still getting something after support is taken out!
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Liam O'Connor
Just wanted to add that you can also check with your local Child Support Enforcement office to confirm the exact timing and amount of deductions. Sometimes there can be delays or discrepancies, and they can give you a clearer timeline than DOL. Also, if your financial situation has changed significantly due to unemployment, you might be able to request a modification of your support order - though that's a separate legal process from the unemployment benefits. Keep all your payment records organized in case you need them later.
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Sean Murphy
•That's really helpful advice about contacting Child Support Enforcement directly! I didn't think about requesting a modification - is that something you can do right away when you become unemployed or do you have to wait a certain period? Also wondering if the modification process affects the automatic deductions from unemployment benefits while it's pending.
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