Just wanted to say good luck with this! It's not easy navigating both systems but it sounds like you're taking the right steps by getting medical clearance first.

I'm in a similar boat - been on SSDI for a year due to chronic fatigue but my condition has improved enough that I could handle remote work. Reading through these responses is really helpful! @Oliver Schulz, when you mention needing medical documentation, does it have to be from the same doctor who originally supported my SSDI claim, or can it be from any treating physician? Also wondering if anyone knows how strict they are about the "actively seeking work" requirement - like do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs per week?

I think the main thing is being honest about your work capacity. If you can work part-time, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits depending on your earnings. But definitely report everything properly to avoid overpayment issues later.

I went through this exact situation last year! You definitely need to be careful about how you present your work capacity. What worked for me was getting a detailed letter from my doctor specifically outlining what type of work I could do and for how many hours. When I filed with NYS Department of Labor, I was upfront about my limitations but emphasized that I was genuinely seeking work within those parameters. The key is consistency - make sure what you tell unemployment matches what's in your medical records. Also, keep detailed records of your job search efforts because they may ask for proof that you're actively looking for suitable work.

I've been through this exact scenario twice in my career - once in retail and once at an office job. Both times I was approved for unemployment benefits. The key thing is that you didn't voluntarily quit your job - you gave proper notice with the intention of fulfilling your obligations, but your employer made the decision to end the employment relationship early. That's considered an involuntary termination. When you file your claim, be upfront about giving notice but emphasize that you were willing and available to work through your notice period. The fact that you have another job starting soon actually works in your favor because it shows you're actively seeking employment and not trying to abuse the system. Just make sure to report your new job start date when filing so they can calculate the benefit period correctly.

I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. You're absolutely entitled to file for unemployment benefits here. When an employer cuts short a notice period, it becomes their decision to end the employment relationship early - that's a discharge, not a voluntary quit. The NY Department of Labor recognizes this distinction. I'd recommend filing your claim as soon as possible since there can be a waiting period. Be straightforward about the sequence of events: you gave proper notice intending to work through it, but your employer chose to terminate you immediately. Having documentation like texts or emails about the notice and their response will definitely strengthen your case. Don't stress about having another job lined up - you're legitimately unemployed through no fault of your own for those gap weeks.

UGH this happened to my friend too. These companies think they can just avoid paying unemployment taxes by calling everyone contractors. At least NYS Department of Labor investigates these cases but it shouldn't be on the worker to prove they were misclassified. The whole system is backwards.

I went through something similar a few years back. The key thing to know is that NYS Department of Labor takes worker misclassification seriously and they have specific procedures for these situations. When you file your claim, make sure to select the option for "disputed wages" or "missing wage records" - this will trigger their investigation process. Document everything you can: emails about schedules, company handbook references treating you as staff, any benefits they offered, tax documents they gave you (1099 vs W2), etc. The investigation might take time but if they rule the employer misclassified you, you'll not only get your unemployment benefits but the employer will face penalties for not paying their share of unemployment taxes. Don't let them intimidate you - this is exactly what the system is designed to handle.

I had the same issue when I first filed! The calculation seemed wrong but it turned out one of my previous jobs hadn't reported my wages correctly to NYS Department of Labor. I had to get my old pay stubs and contact them to get it fixed. Took about 3 weeks but they did adjust my weekly amount upward. If you think there's an error, definitely appeal or at least call to ask about it.

The whole system is a joke honestly. They use this ancient formula that doesn't reflect what people actually need to live on. $184 a week? That's nothing in NY! And good luck getting anyone to explain it properly or fix errors.