Based on all the discussion here, here's a summary of best practices for using Coursera as part of your NY unemployment work search: 1. Time commitment: While there's no official minimum, aim for at least 1 hour per session when counting it as a work search activity 2. Documentation: Record dates, course titles, modules completed, skills learned, and relevance to your job search 3. Evidence: Save certificates, screenshots of completed modules, and course descriptions 4. Relevance: Ensure courses directly relate to your career field and job applications 5. Diversification: Use Coursera for only 1-2 of your required weekly activities; include direct job applications and networking for others Remember that the goal of the work search requirement is to enhance your employability and demonstrate that you're actively preparing to return to work. Quality and relevance matter more than hitting a specific hourly target.

I've been using Coursera for my work search activities for about 6 weeks now and wanted to share what's been working for me. I spend about 1.5-2 hours each session (usually 2-3 times per week) and focus on completing full modules rather than just watching videos. What I've found helpful is creating a simple log where I track: - Date and duration - Course name and specific module/lesson completed - Key skills or concepts learned - How it applies to jobs I'm targeting I also take screenshots of my progress dashboard and save any certificates. The courses I'm taking are all related to digital marketing since that's what I'm applying for. So far I haven't been audited, but I feel confident that my documentation would hold up if needed. One tip: I always try to connect what I learned to specific job postings I've applied to that week. It helps show the direct relevance and makes the activity feel more purposeful.

ugh these interviews are the worst part of the whole unemployment process. just had mine last month and felt like I was on trial for a crime. good luck OP

Document everything beforehand - write down the exact date, who told you about the layoff, what they said word for word, and any paperwork you received. During the interview, reference these facts rather than trying to remember on the spot. Also be prepared for them to ask the same question multiple ways to see if your story changes. Stay consistent and don't elaborate beyond what they're asking. If you're unsure about something, it's okay to say "I don't recall the exact details" rather than guessing.

I've been dealing with this exact same issue for the past few weeks and it's been a nightmare! What finally worked for me was realizing that NY unemployment had flagged my account for "suspicious activity" because I had been logging in from different locations (home vs library). Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. The "not authorized" message is super vague but usually means there's some kind of security hold 2. Try logging in from the EXACT same device/location you normally use 3. Clear ALL your browser data, not just cache - cookies, saved passwords, everything 4. If that doesn't work, it's probably an account-level issue that only a human can fix I ended up having to call them (took forever to get through) and they had to manually reset some security flag on my account. The agent said this has been happening a lot more since they updated their fraud detection system. Super frustrating when you're just trying to get your benefits! Don't wait too long to call - if there really is a security issue, it won't resolve itself. Good luck! 🤞

This happened to me about a month ago and it was so stressful! Turns out my account got flagged because I had tried to log in too many times when the site was being glitchy one day. The system interpreted that as suspicious activity and locked me out with that same vague "not authorized" message. What finally fixed it for me was calling the technical support line (not the regular claims line) - the number is 1-888-581-5812. It's still hard to get through but usually has shorter wait times than the main number. The tech support person was able to see the security flag on my account and clear it immediately. In the meantime, try logging in from an incognito/private browser window - sometimes that bypasses whatever cookies or session data is causing the problem. Also double-check that you're using the right URL (labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo) because there are some fake unemployment sites out there that look similar. Don't worry about missing your certification window - they can always backdate it once you get access restored. I missed a whole week due to this issue and still got paid for it. Just keep trying and document when you attempted to certify in case they ask later!

Quick tip: call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open. Sometimes you can get lucky and get right through

Hey Lincoln! I went through something super similar last year. You definitely have a right to those retroactive benefits - don't let the system discourage you! Here's what worked for me: I had to call multiple times over several days, but I finally got through by calling right when they opened at 8 AM on a Tuesday. The agent was actually really helpful once I explained my situation with the missing W2 and job search timeline. Make sure you have documentation ready: your layoff notice, any job applications you submitted during those 3 months, and definitely get that W2 from your previous employer. They have to provide it by law. The key is being persistent but polite with the agents. They deal with frustrated people all day, so being understanding goes a long way. Good luck - that money is rightfully yours!

Just wanted to add my experience from earlier this year - I was in almost the exact same situation! Got laid off in March with a lump sum severance covering through May. I filed immediately and I'm so glad I did. The NY DOL system took forever to process my initial claim (about 6 weeks), but once my severance period ended, my benefits started right away since everything was already set up. During the weekly certifications, I reported my allocated weekly severance amount under the income question. The system automatically calculated that I wasn't eligible for benefits during those weeks, but it kept my claim active. One thing I learned - when you get to the severance questions in the application, there's a specific section where you can indicate it's a lump sum payment. Make sure to fill that out completely with your end date (December 31st in your case). This helps them understand your situation better. The hardest part was just waiting, but filing early was definitely the right choice. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a new community member here and stumbled across this thread while researching my own unemployment situation. Just wanted to say how incredibly helpful all these detailed responses have been! I'm not dealing with severance pay specifically, but I've been struggling with the NY DOL phone system for weeks trying to get answers about a different issue with my claim. Reading about everyone's experiences with the automated system and the suggestions for getting through (calling at 8 AM, using the callback feature, and that Claimyr service) gives me some actual strategies to try instead of just randomly calling and getting frustrated. The level of detail and practical advice in this thread is amazing - from taking screenshots during the application process to setting up weekly certification reminders. It's so much more useful than anything on the official DOL website. To the original poster and others in similar situations - it sounds like you're getting excellent guidance here. The consensus is really clear and comes from people who've actually been through it. Thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful resource for people navigating this confusing system!