Can you get unemployment for medical reasons in NY - NYS Department of Labor eligibility?

Unfortunately, regular unemployment insurance through NYS Department of Labor requires you to be able and available for work. If you can't work due to medical reasons, you typically won't qualify for standard UI benefits. However, you might want to look into New York State Disability Benefits instead - that's designed for people who can't work due to illness or injury. You can apply through the same my.ny.gov portal.

yeah my sister went through this exact thing last year. nys department of labor denied her unemployment claim because of the medical stuff but she got approved for the state disability pretty quickly. pays less than unemployment but better than nothing

There might be some exceptions depending on your specific situation. If your medical condition was caused by workplace factors, you could potentially qualify for workers' compensation instead. Also, if you're taking intermittent leave under FMLA and can still work part-time, there are scenarios where partial unemployment benefits might apply. The key is being honest about your work capacity when you file your weekly claims.

The whole system is so frustrating! I tried to get unemployment when I had surgery and they basically told me to come back when I was 'ready to work.' Meanwhile I'm drowning in medical bills and can't pay rent. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care about people's actual situations.

I had a really hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about this exact situation. If you need to speak with someone directly about your specific medical circumstances, I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was way easier than sitting on hold for hours just to get hung up on.

Just want to add that if you do apply for state disability benefits, make sure your doctor fills out all the forms completely. Any missing information will delay your claim for weeks. Also keep copies of everything you submit!

I went through something similar when I had to stop working due to anxiety and depression. NYS Department of Labor was pretty clear that I didn't qualify for regular unemployment since I couldn't meet the "able and available" requirement. But like others mentioned, New York State Disability Benefits was a lifesaver - it's through the Workers' Compensation Board, not the Department of Labor. The application process was actually smoother than I expected, and I got approved within about 3 weeks. The payments are lower than what unemployment would have been (around 50% of your average weekly wage), but it definitely helped me get by while I was getting treatment. Make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you apply!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that when I called the Workers' Compensation Board about NY State Disability Benefits, they told me that you can actually apply online through their website (wcb.ny.gov) which might be faster than paper forms. They also mentioned that if your condition is expected to last more than a year, you should also consider applying for federal Social Security Disability as a backup, though that process takes much longer. The state disability is really meant for shorter-term situations (up to 26 weeks typically). Has anyone here had experience with both programs?

I just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this process. I had to leave work due to complications from diabetes that made it impossible to maintain my regular schedule. Like others have said, NYS Department of Labor was very clear that I didn't qualify for unemployment because I couldn't meet the "able and available for work" requirement. However, I was approved for New York State Disability Benefits through the Workers' Compensation Board. A few things I learned: 1) The online application at wcb.ny.gov is definitely the way to go - much faster than paper, 2) Make sure your doctor is very specific about your limitations and expected duration of disability on their forms, and 3) Keep detailed records of all your medical appointments and treatments. The whole process took about 4 weeks for me, and while the benefit amount is less than what I was earning, it's been a huge relief to have some income coming in while I focus on my health. Don't give up - there are options available even if regular unemployment isn't one of them!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my doctor just recommended extended leave for a chronic autoimmune condition that's been flaring up. This thread has been incredibly informative! I had no idea about NY State Disability Benefits through the Workers' Compensation Board. Like others have mentioned, I was getting confused by the "able and available" requirement for regular unemployment. It's really reassuring to hear from people who've actually navigated this process successfully. I'm planning to apply through wcb.ny.gov based on everyone's recommendations here. One question though - for those who've been approved, did you need to have been paying into any specific state disability fund while working, or is this available to all NY employees? I want to make sure I'm eligible before getting my hopes up. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's made what seemed like an impossible situation feel much more manageable!

I'm sorry you're going through this health situation - it's really stressful when you're dealing with medical issues and financial concerns at the same time. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like NY State Disability Benefits through the Workers' Compensation Board is definitely your best bet since regular unemployment won't work for medical leave. I'd recommend calling your doctor's office first to make sure they're familiar with the disability forms they'll need to complete - some offices are more experienced with this than others. Also, if you're still employed, check with your HR department about whether your company offers any short-term disability coverage that might supplement the state benefits. Sometimes there are multiple programs you can access simultaneously. The online application at wcb.ny.gov seems to be the consensus best approach from everyone here. Wishing you the best with your health and getting the financial support you need during this difficult time!

This thread has been so helpful for understanding the difference between unemployment and disability benefits in NY! I'm currently dealing with a similar medical situation and was completely lost about where to turn. It's really encouraging to see so many people who've successfully navigated the NY State Disability Benefits process through the Workers' Compensation Board. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who've been approved, how did you handle the gap period between stopping work and receiving your first disability payment? I'm worried about covering my expenses during those 3-4 weeks of processing time. Did any of you use savings, or are there other emergency assistance programs available while waiting for the disability benefits to kick in? Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's made this overwhelming situation feel much more manageable!