Can you collect unemployment and social security disability at the same time in NY?

This is actually more complicated than most people think. The key issue is that unemployment requires you to be 'able and available' for work, while SSDI is based on being unable to work due to disability. However, if your SSDI is partial or if you're in a trial work period, you might be able to collect both. You'll need to report your SSDI income when filing your weekly claims with NYS Department of Labor. The bigger question is whether Social Security will consider your unemployment filing as evidence that you're no longer disabled.

been on ssdi for 3 years and tried to file unemployment when i got fired from a part time job. nys department of labor approved my claim but then social security started questioning my disability status. ended up being a huge mess

You need to be very careful here. When you file for unemployment, you're certifying that you're able and available for full-time work. This directly contradicts the basis for SSDI benefits. Even if NYS Department of Labor approves your claim, Social Security can use your unemployment application as grounds to terminate your disability benefits. I'd strongly recommend consulting with a disability attorney before filing any unemployment claim.

Wait I'm so confused about this whole thing. I thought if you were on disability you couldn't work at all? How are you even talking about getting laid off from a job if you're getting SSDI payments???

I had a similar situation last year when I was trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask about this exact question. Couldn't get through on the phone for weeks! Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have this video demo (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI) that shows how it works. The agent was able to explain the specific rules about SSDI and unemployment eligibility. Definitely worth checking out if you can't get through the normal way.

The whole system is SO frustrating. Why can't they just have clear guidelines about this stuff? I've been going in circles trying to figure out if I can work part-time on SSDI and what happens if I lose that job. The NYS Department of Labor website doesn't explain any of this disability stuff.

Bottom line: you CAN technically collect both, but it's risky. The unemployment claim could trigger a disability review. If you do decide to file, make sure you're completely honest about your limitations on both your unemployment application and in any communications with Social Security. Document everything and consider getting legal advice first.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and learned the hard way that timing matters a lot. If you're still within your trial work period (first 9 months of work attempts while on SSDI), Social Security is generally more lenient about work activities. But once you're past that, filing for unemployment gets much trickier. I'd suggest calling Social Security directly first to discuss your specific situation before doing anything with NYS DOL. They have a work incentives hotline (1-866-968-7842) where you can ask hypothetical questions without triggering a formal review. Also keep detailed records of your doctor's recommendations about part-time work capacity - this documentation could be crucial if SSA does question your disability status later.