Can you collect unemployment if you are injured off the job - NYS Department of Labor eligibility question

Yes, you can potentially collect unemployment even with a non-work injury, but there are specific requirements. You need to be able and available for some type of work that accommodates your restrictions. Since you mentioned you can do desk jobs, that's good. When you file your claim, be honest about your limitations but emphasize what work you CAN do. NYS Department of Labor will evaluate if there are suitable jobs available in your area that match your current abilities.

I went through something similar when I broke my wrist. The key is proving you're available for SOME work, not just your old job. I had to provide a doctor's note explaining my restrictions and what I could still do. It took a few weeks to get approved but I did get benefits while I looked for office work.

Wait, I thought if you couldn't do your regular job you automatically don't qualify? This is confusing. My friend said they denied him when he had a shoulder injury.

Getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about this stuff is nearly impossible with their phone lines always busy. If you need to talk to someone about your specific situation, I had luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was worth it to get real answers instead of guessing.

just file and see what happens, worst they can do is say no

The able and available requirement is really strict though. I've seen people get disqualified for way less. You better have a solid plan for what types of jobs you can actually do and be ready to prove you're actively searching for them. NYS Department of Labor doesn't mess around with this stuff.

I was in a similar situation with a back injury from a car accident. The key thing is getting a detailed doctor's note that specifies exactly what you CAN do, not just what you can't. My doctor wrote that I could do "sedentary work with no lifting over 10 pounds" and that helped a lot. Also, start applying for desk jobs immediately and keep records of your applications - NYS Department of Labor wants to see you're genuinely seeking work within your restrictions. It took about 3 weeks to get approved, but I did receive benefits while recovering. Don't let the injury stop you from filing right away.

I actually had a very similar situation a few years back - herniated disc from a hiking accident that kept me out of my construction job for 10 weeks. The process was definitely stressful, but I did end up getting benefits. The most important thing is being completely transparent about your limitations while emphasizing what you CAN still do. I had to submit medical documentation every few weeks showing my progress, and I kept detailed records of every office job I applied to. NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty reasonable once they understood I was genuinely looking for work within my physical restrictions. Start your claim ASAP though - there's a waiting period and you can't get retroactive benefits for weeks you don't file. Good luck with your recovery!

I had a similar experience after a motorcycle accident left me unable to do my electrician job for 12 weeks. The biggest thing that helped me was creating a comprehensive job search strategy focused on what I COULD do - I applied for dispatcher positions, customer service roles, and administrative work in my field. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim because I demonstrated I was actively seeking suitable employment. Pro tip: when you file, don't just say "I can do desk work" - be specific about job titles and industries you're targeting. I kept a spreadsheet of applications and included it with my weekly certifications. Also, consider reaching out to temp agencies that specialize in office work - they often have short-term positions that work well while you're recovering. The whole process took about 4 weeks from filing to first payment, but having that documentation ready made all the difference.