I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and can definitely relate to the confusion! You're absolutely on the right track with reopening your existing claim - those 8 unused weeks are still there and you don't want to lose them by filing a new application. The process is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. Make sure you have all your temp job details ready before you begin: exact start and end dates, employer's full name and address, total gross wages earned, and reason for separation. When they ask why you stopped filing, be completely honest that you took temporary work expecting it to become permanent but it didn't work out. That's a totally valid reason and won't cause any issues with your claim. The reopen process typically takes 5-10 business days, and you'll get a determination letter in your online message center once approved. One crucial tip - file your weekly certification the moment your account becomes active again after approval. Don't wait for any paperwork or letters. I made that mistake and ended up missing a week of benefits. Your weekly benefit amount will stay the same as before since you're reopening, not starting a new claim. The system handles these temporary work gaps all the time, so try not to stress too much about it!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just submitted my reopen application yesterday after stopping claims in December for a temp position that ended last month. Reading through all these experiences is so reassuring - I was really worried I'd lost my remaining benefits by taking that job. One thing I want to add that might help others: when you're gathering your employment documents, don't forget to include any separation paperwork from the temp job if you have it. My temp agency gave me a "completion of assignment" letter that clearly stated the temporary nature of the work, which I included with my reopen application. I figured it couldn't hurt to have that extra documentation showing it wasn't a voluntary quit situation. Fingers crossed my reopen goes as smoothly as everyone else's! The consistency in everyone's advice about being completely transparent and having all details ready beforehand really gives me confidence this will work out.

I'm completely new to this community and just filed my unemployment claim yesterday after being laid off from my customer success manager position at a tech startup. Like literally everyone else who's commented here, I was having full-blown panic attacks about that RESEA notification until I found this incredible thread! Reading through all these detailed, real experiences has completely transformed my anxiety into actual excitement about getting professional career guidance. The spreadsheet tracking system everyone recommends is such smart advice - I've already started organizing my applications that way and it's making me feel so much more strategic about my search. What really gives me hope is hearing how the counselors understand industry-specific needs rather than just pushing random jobs. As someone in customer success looking to potentially transition into product management or business operations, I'm actually looking forward to getting tailored advice about leveraging my client relationship and problem-solving skills for different types of roles. This community has been an absolute lifeline - thank you to everyone who took the time to share their honest experiences and practical tips!

I'm brand new to this community and just filed my unemployment claim three days ago after being laid off from my graphic design position at an advertising agency. Like absolutely everyone else who's found this thread, I was completely panicking about the RESEA appointment notification until I read through all these amazing real experiences! This has honestly been the most helpful resource I've found anywhere online. The consistent advice about creating a spreadsheet to track job applications is brilliant - I started mine immediately and it's already making me feel so much more organized and professional about my search strategy. What really reassures me is hearing how the counselors actually understand that creative fields have different timelines and requirements compared to other industries. I was terrified they'd pressure me into generic office work, but it sounds like they genuinely want to help you succeed in your actual field. As someone looking to potentially expand from traditional graphic design into UX/UI or brand strategy roles, I'm actually getting excited about the possibility of professional guidance on how to position my creative skills for those growth areas. Thank you to everyone who shared their detailed experiences - this community support has transformed my anxiety into genuine preparation and optimism!

Just want to add that if you do qualify for both, you'll need to report your disability payments when you file your weekly unemployment claims. NYS Department of Labor needs to know about all income sources.

I'm going through a similar situation right now and from what I've learned, the key is getting a clear statement from your doctor about what type of work you can do with your disability. NYS Department of Labor told me they need documentation showing you're "able and available" for some type of work, even if it's limited. Since your doctor mentioned light work, that could actually work in your favor. I'd suggest getting a detailed letter from them specifying what kind of work activities you can handle - like sitting vs standing, lifting limits, hours per day, etc. That way you can show you're genuinely seeking work within your capabilities while still maintaining your disability benefits for the limitations you do have.

Wow, this thread is exactly what I needed right now! My benefits are ending in about 5 days and I've been absolutely terrified about the whole extension process. Reading everyone's experiences has been so reassuring - at least now I know I'm not the only one struggling to navigate this system. I just went through my NY.gov account based on all the advice here and found that Pre-Extension Checklist everyone mentioned. Thankfully I don't have any outstanding issues, but I definitely need to get my job search documentation organized into a PDF. I've been keeping everything in different places - some in a notebook, some in emails, some just in my head - so I have some work to do tonight. The information about the Hardship Extension option is really valuable too. I'm hoping the regular UI Extension works out, but it's good to know there's a backup plan if needed since my rent situation is getting pretty tight. One quick question - for those who successfully got approved for the extension, did you get any kind of confirmation email or notification right away after submitting the application? Or do you just have to wait the full processing time to hear anything? The uncertainty is killing me and I want to make sure I know what to expect after I submit everything. Thanks again to everyone for sharing so much helpful detail. This community support means everything when you're dealing with something this stressful!

I'm in almost exactly the same boat as you @Sean Matthews - my benefits are ending in about a week and I've been stressing about this nonstop! This entire thread has been incredibly helpful though. Based on everything everyone has shared, it sounds like the most important things are: 1) Don't wait - apply for the UI Extension Program through your online account ASAP, 2) Make sure you have your job search activities documented in a PDF format, and 3) Check for any outstanding issues in your account status that could block the application. I just logged in and found that Pre-Extension Checklist that others mentioned - it's a lifesaver for making sure you have everything ready before submitting. The processing time being 1-2 weeks now instead of the old 7-10 days is definitely concerning, so I'm planning to submit my application tomorrow. The fact that there's also a Hardship Extension option as backup is really reassuring for those of us who are facing rent/utility issues. Has anyone here actually had to use the Hardship Extension, and if so, how was that process compared to the regular UI Extension? Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community support makes such a difference when the official resources are so confusing to navigate!

I'm a substitute teacher who just got notified that my district won't be offering me a permanent position next year, so I'm in a similar situation. From what I've read on the NY Department of Labor website, the key factor is whether you have "reasonable assurance" of employment for the next school year. Since your contract wasn't renewed due to budget cuts, you definitely don't have that assurance, which should make you eligible. I'd recommend applying sooner rather than later since there can be a waiting period before benefits start. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of your job search efforts since they'll ask about that in your weekly certifications.

I'm also a teacher dealing with a non-renewal situation, and from everything I've researched, you should definitely be eligible for unemployment benefits. The main thing that disqualifies teachers is when they have "reasonable assurance" of returning to work - but since your position was eliminated due to budget cuts, that doesn't apply to you. I'd suggest filing your claim as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits begin. Make sure to emphasize on your application that this was an involuntary separation due to lack of work/budget cuts, not a resignation. Also, keep applying for other teaching positions while you're collecting - they'll ask about your job search activities in the weekly certifications. The stress is real, but at least unemployment benefits can help bridge the gap while you find your next position!