I'm so glad I found this thread! I just submitted my unemployment application yesterday through my.ny.gov and literally got a job offer call this morning. I was panicking about how to handle this properly without messing anything up for the future. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences here is incredibly reassuring - it's clear that calling NYS Department of Labor directly is definitely the right approach. Based on all the advice shared, I'm planning to call tomorrow morning right at 8:00 AM with my SSN, application confirmation number, and submission date all ready to go. It's so helpful to know the agents are understanding about these situations and that properly withdrawing the claim actually helps their system rather than creating problems. The persistence with redialing seems to be the key, but knowing it typically only takes 5-10 minutes once you get connected makes it totally worth the effort. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their recent experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for knowing exactly how to handle this situation properly!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago! Filed my unemployment application on a Friday and got an unexpected job offer the following Wednesday. I was really stressed about how to properly handle the withdrawal without creating any complications. I called the NYS Department of Labor customer service line (number is in your my.ny.gov account) at 8:05 AM on Thursday morning. It took me roughly 32 redials to finally get through to an agent, but once connected, the process was incredibly smooth and efficient. The representative was very understanding and professional - they asked for my Social Security number, full name, and the date I originally submitted my application. Within about 6 minutes, they had completely withdrawn my claim from their system and provided me with a confirmation number, which I immediately wrote down and saved. I also received an email confirmation later that same day for my records. The agent actually thanked me for calling to properly withdraw the claim rather than just abandoning it, explaining that it helps them manage their workload more effectively. They assured me there were absolutely no penalties involved and that this withdrawal wouldn't negatively impact any future unemployment applications if I ever needed to file again. My strong recommendation is to call as early as possible in the morning (8 AM really does seem to be optimal based on everyone's experiences), have all your documentation ready before you call, and don't get discouraged by the busy signals - just keep persistently redialing until you connect. It's definitely worth the effort to handle this properly and officially close out your claim. Congratulations on finding employment so quickly - what a great problem to have!

This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences! I'm actually facing a layoff myself next month (my department is being "consolidated" which we all know means eliminated), and reading through all these detailed responses has given me such clarity on what I need to prepare for. The distinction between "wages in lieu of notice" vs actual severance payments is going to be my first question to HR - I had no idea that classification could completely change when benefits start. I'm also going to make sure to ask about any work restrictions and whether I have options between lump sum vs payment plan structures. Planning to file my unemployment claim immediately when the separation happens, regardless of severance timing, and document absolutely everything along the way. One question I have - has anyone here had success negotiating any aspects of their severance package, or is it usually pretty much take-it-or-leave-it? I'm wondering if there's any room to discuss payment timing or structure if it would help with unemployment eligibility. Thanks again to this community for creating such a comprehensive resource - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you need when facing these situations!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm actually in a very similar situation to @Maya Patel - my company just announced they're eliminating my entire division next month and I'm trying to figure out the severance/unemployment situation before I have to make any decisions. Reading through everyone's experiences has really opened my eyes to how complex this can be. The "wages in lieu of notice" vs true severance distinction that @Ava Kim mentioned seems absolutely crucial - I had no idea that could make such a difference in timing. I'm definitely going to ask HR specifically about that classification and get it in writing. Also planning to inquire about lump sum vs payment plan options since it sounds like that choice could dramatically impact when I can start collecting benefits. One thing I'm curious about - @Liam O'Reilly asked about negotiating severance terms, and I'm wondering the same thing. Has anyone here had success asking their employer to structure the severance in a way that's more favorable for unemployment purposes? Like requesting a lump sum instead of payments, or asking them to classify it as true severance rather than wages in lieu of notice? I'm not sure if companies are typically willing to be flexible on those details, but it seems worth asking if it could mean the difference between immediate benefits vs waiting weeks or months. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community knowledge is incredibly valuable during such a stressful time!

I'm reading through all these responses and feeling so much better knowing I'm not alone in this situation! It sounds like the consensus is clear - I need to file TODAY and stop beating myself up about the 6 weeks I missed. Thank you everyone for the practical advice about having documents ready, trying off-peak hours, and looking into emergency assistance programs while I wait for unemployment to start. Special thanks to Faith and Giovanni for the professional insights - the 2-1-1 tip and workforce development center resources are exactly what I needed to hear. I'm going to take a deep breath, gather my employment paperwork, and file my application this morning. Then I'll call 2-1-1 about emergency rent assistance. It's an expensive lesson learned, but at least I can still get 26 weeks of benefits going forward and there are other resources to help bridge the gap. Thanks again everyone - this community really came through with helpful advice when I needed it most!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago - got laid off and waited 5 weeks thinking I'd bounce back quickly. Biggest financial mistake I've made in years! Like everyone else is saying, you absolutely need to file TODAY. Don't make the same error I did by waiting even longer. When I finally filed, the process took about 2 weeks before I saw my first payment, so the sooner you start, the sooner you'll get some relief. One thing I'll add that I don't think anyone mentioned yet - when you're filling out the application, there's a section where you can indicate if you did any part-time or temporary work during your unemployment period. Make sure you report ANY income you might have earned during those 6 weeks, even if it was just a day or two of work. They cross-reference with tax records and being dishonest can disqualify you entirely. Also, start keeping detailed records now of every job you apply for - they'll ask for this information when you certify weekly. Hang in there Carmen, you'll get through this!

I'm 61 and considering early Social Security retirement while still working, but this thread has been incredibly eye-opening about what options I'd have if I faced an unexpected layoff. The consistency of everyone's positive experiences collecting both benefits really puts my mind at ease. It's particularly reassuring to hear from so many people that NYS Department of Labor representatives say this situation is common for people in their 60s - it makes the whole process seem much more legitimate and less intimidating. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to navigate confusing government websites or listening to conflicting advice from friends who haven't actually been through the process themselves!

I'm 64 and just went through this exact process 3 months ago when I got laid off from my warehouse job after 9 years. I had been collecting Social Security for about 5 months at that point and was really worried about whether I could still file for unemployment. I'm happy to say you absolutely CAN collect both! When I filed my initial claim with NYS Department of Labor, I was completely honest about my Social Security income right from the start and the representative told me it wouldn't be a problem at all - she said they see this situation all the time with people in their 60s. The key thing they focus on is whether you're genuinely able and available for work, which means you need to be physically capable of working and actively seeking employment. On my weekly claims, I report my gross Social Security amount (before Medicare deductions) in the "other income" section, but it doesn't reduce my unemployment benefits at all since Social Security isn't considered work income. I've been keeping a detailed log of all my job search activities in a notebook since NYS requires 3 work search activities per week - they do verify this documentation occasionally. I've been successfully collecting both benefits for 3 months now while actively job hunting. Don't let the conflicting advice from friends discourage you Diego - you paid into both systems through years of work and you're entitled to these benefits as long as you meet the requirements!

One thing to keep in mind is that the $12,000 wage base applies per calendar year, not per pay period or quarter. So if you hire someone mid-year, you still only pay unemployment tax on their first $12,000 of wages for that calendar year, regardless of when they started. This can be helpful for budgeting if you're bringing on seasonal workers or have high turnover. Also, make sure you're tracking this separately for each employee - it's not a total across all employees, but per individual worker.

This thread has been super helpful! As someone who just started a small business this year, I was completely lost on NYS unemployment insurance requirements. The $12,000 wage base per employee makes sense now, and I really appreciate everyone sharing the specific resources like the NYS DOL calculator tool and tips about payroll software settings. I'm bookmarking this discussion for reference when I file my first quarterly report. It's so much easier to understand when real business owners explain it rather than trying to decode government websites on your own!