Filing for NY unemployment with severance pay lump sum - wait until January?

You should file your claim immediately. In NY, severance payments can affect your benefits, but you should still establish your claim as soon as possible. The system will determine your eligibility based on when the severance actually ends. When you report your severance on your application, be clear it's a lump sum payment covering through December. They'll likely adjust your benefits accordingly - you might not receive payments until January, but your claim will be in the system. Don't wait to file - the claim date is important for your benefit year, even if payments are delayed due to severance.

file ASAP!!!! the system takes forever to process claims anyway so better to get in line. my brother in law waited and regretted it big time. took like 6 extra weeks to get money.

I'm an employment attorney and can clarify this for you. In New York, you should file immediately upon termination of employment, regardless of severance. Here's what happens: 1. Your claim establishes your benefit year 2. When you certify each week, you'll report your severance income 3. During weeks covered by severance, you'll likely be determined ineligible for payment 4. Once severance period ends, you'll begin receiving benefits if you continue certifying The key point: you must certify EVERY WEEK even during severance periods. This creates a record in the system showing you were ready and able to work. Skip this step and you could lose benefits. Regarding speaking with a real person - the NY DOL phone system is notoriously difficult. I've had clients successfully use Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through the phone maze. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - it helps you bypass the wait times.

The DOL phone system is a JOKE!!! I spent 4 WEEKS trying to talk to someone last year. Would call right when they opened, mid-day, right before closing - NOTHING WORKED! Always "high call volume" then disconnect. The whole system is designed to prevent you from getting help!!! Finally had to contact my state assembly person's office who had a direct connection. Even then took 10 days for a callback. Absolute disgrace how they treat people who just want answers about their benefits WE PAID INTO!!!

I was in a similar situation back in February. Filed right away even with 3 months severance coming in. They asked for severance details during the application process, including end date and amount. Just be honest about everything! Glad I filed early because they took 5 weeks to process my claim, then another 2 weeks to start payments after my severance period ended. The system calculated everything correctly.

About talking to someone - I struggled with this for WEEKS until I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. It actually worked! Got through to a person in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They connected me directly to an agent who answered my questions about reporting my pension payments with my unemployment claim (different situation but still complicated). Worth it for peace of mind. The video demo they mentioned shows exactly how it works.

When I certified during my severance period, I reported my income under the question "Did you receive any income during the week ending [date]?" You'll need to select YES and report the appropriate amount for each week. For a lump sum, I believe you're supposed to divide the total amount by the number of weeks it covers, then report that amount each week. So if your lump sum is $10,000 covering 10 weeks, you'd report $1,000 per week during certification. During these weeks, your unemployment benefits will likely be reduced or eliminated based on the income reported. But keep certifying every week regardless! Also, make sure to select the correct reason for separation on your initial application - usually "laid off due to lack of work" in these situations, not "quit" or "fired for cause.

Thank you all for the advice! I'm going to file my claim today and make sure I clearly report the severance as covering through December. I'll also make sure to certify every week even though I probably won't get benefits until January. I think I'll try that Claimyr service too since I really want to speak with someone to make sure I'm doing everything correctly. Seems worth it to avoid any delays or mistakes with my claim. I'll update here if I run into any other issues or learn something that might help others in similar situations.

One more tip - take screenshots of EVERYTHING during the application process. I had an issue where the system glitched and they claimed I never submitted something I definitely did. Having screenshots saved me weeks of headaches. Also, write down your confirmation numbers from each weekly certification!

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 went through something similar last year and want to echo what everyone's saying - definitely file immediately! Don't wait until January. Here's what helped me: when you're filling out the initial application, there's a section specifically for severance pay where you can indicate it's a lump sum. Be very clear about the dates it covers (in your case, through December 31st) and the total amount. The system is actually pretty good at handling this once you provide the right information. During weekly certifications, you'll report your allocated weekly severance amount, and the system will show $0 benefits for those weeks. But keep certifying religiously - I cannot stress this enough. Missing even one week can cause major headaches later. Also, since you mentioned trying to reach someone by phone - I had success calling right at 8:00 AM when they open. Set multiple alarms and call the second they open. I got through on my third try doing this. The afternoon calls never worked for me. One last thing - make sure you have all your employer information ready (dates, reason for separation, etc.) before you start the application. The system times out if you take too long, and you'll have to start over. Learned that the hard way! You've got this - just don't delay filing any longer!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just got laid off yesterday and have severance through the end of the year paid as a lump sum next month. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One question I have for those who've been through this - when you're doing the weekly certifications and reporting the allocated severance amount, does the system ask you to specify what type of income it is? I'm worried about accidentally categorizing it wrong and causing issues with my claim. Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects your benefit year? Like if I file now but don't actually receive unemployment payments until January, does my full benefit year still start from when I initially filed? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to navigate the DOL website alone!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and can confirm everything others are saying - file immediately! I was laid off with a lump sum severance covering 3 months and made the mistake of waiting a few weeks before filing because I was confused about the timing. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: 1. The NY DOL system is set up to handle lump sum severance - there are specific fields for it during application 2. You'll allocate the weekly amount during certifications (total severance ÷ number of weeks covered) 3. Your claim will show as "active but not payable" during severance weeks, which is totally normal 4. The processing delays are real - mine took 7 weeks to get approved, so filing early saved me from even longer waits One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking my weekly certifications and the amounts I reported. Made it easy to stay consistent and have records if any questions came up later. The phone situation is frustrating but don't let that stop you from filing online. The application process is actually pretty intuitive once you start, and you can always call later if you run into specific issues. Most of the important information is clearly laid out in the application itself. Good luck - you're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently navigated this exact situation. I was laid off in August with severance through November, also paid as a lump sum. The biggest thing that helped me was understanding that the NY unemployment system is actually designed to handle these scenarios - it's more common than you'd think. When you file, there's a clear section for severance details where you can specify it's lump sum and the coverage period. A few practical tips from my experience: - File on a weekday morning when the system is less likely to glitch - Have your last day of work, severance amount, and coverage end date ready before starting - Don't stress too much about the weekly allocation math - the system will often calculate it for you based on what you enter initially One thing I learned that others haven't mentioned: if your severance period crosses into a new calendar year (like yours does), make sure to note that clearly in your application. It can affect how they process certain tax-related aspects of your claim. The waiting is tough, but filing now absolutely gives you the best chance of seamless benefits starting in January. Everyone here is giving you solid advice - trust it and get that application in today!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - FILE NOW! I was in almost the identical situation last year (laid off in September with lump sum severance through December) and waiting even a few days was a mistake I regretted. The NY system handled my lump sum severance without any issues once I provided the right information. During the application, there's a specific section where you input your severance details - make sure to indicate it's a lump sum covering through December 31st. The system will do the weekly allocation calculations for you. A couple of things that really helped me: - I called the unemployment office at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday and actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold - I kept detailed notes of every step I took during the application process - I set up a simple calendar reminder to do my weekly certifications every Sunday The hardest part is just the waiting during your severance period, but your claim will be established and ready to go come January. Don't let the phone system frustrations delay you from filing online - the application process is actually pretty straightforward once you start. You're asking all the right questions and getting excellent advice here. Get that application submitted today!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I got laid off last week and have been paralyzed trying to figure out the timing with my severance. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my HR department - make sure you get documentation about your severance agreement in writing, including the specific dates it covers and that it's being paid as a lump sum. The unemployment office may ask for this documentation later, and having it ready can speed up the process. Also, for anyone struggling with the phone system like the original poster mentioned - I had some success using the "callback" feature if you can find it in their phone menu. Instead of waiting on hold, they called me back about 3 hours later. Not perfect, but better than being disconnected after waiting for an hour. The consensus here is crystal clear - file immediately and don't wait. I'm convinced and filing mine today too. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now and this thread has been a goldmine of information! Got laid off two weeks ago with severance through March paid as a lump sum in December. Based on everyone's advice here, I filed my claim immediately and I'm so glad I did. The application process was actually much smoother than I expected - the severance section was clearly marked and asked for all the right details (lump sum amount, coverage dates, etc.). One thing I wanted to add that helped me: I printed out screenshots of every page during my application, especially the confirmation pages. The system did glitch once and kicked me back to a previous screen, but I was able to reference my screenshots to make sure I entered everything consistently. Also, for the weekly certifications - the system automatically calculated my weekly severance allocation based on what I entered initially. I just had to confirm the amount each week, which made it much less stressful than trying to do the math myself. To the original poster and anyone else in this situation: seriously, don't wait another day. File now and get your claim established. The processing times are long enough already without adding extra delays. Everyone here is giving you spot-on advice!

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!

As someone who just went through this exact scenario a few months ago, I can't emphasize enough - file your claim TODAY! I was laid off in June with lump sum severance through August, and waiting even a few days was a mistake. The NY unemployment system is actually well-equipped to handle lump sum severance situations. During the application, there's a dedicated section where you'll input all your severance details - amount, that it's lump sum, and coverage dates through December 31st. The system will automatically calculate your weekly allocation for certifications. Here's what saved me time and stress: I gathered all my employment info (exact last work date, employer details, severance documentation) before starting the application. The system can timeout if you're slow, and you'll have to restart. For the phone nightmare - try calling exactly at 8:00 AM on weekdays. I got through on my second attempt this way after weeks of failed calls. Also keep trying the callback feature if you can find it in their menu system. Most importantly: certify EVERY single week during your severance period, even though you'll receive $0 benefits. This keeps your claim active and creates the paper trail you need for January when your benefits should start. The processing delays are real (mine took 6 weeks), so filing now gives you the best chance of smooth payments starting in January. Don't let phone frustrations delay you - the online application is straightforward once you begin. You've got this!

I just want to add my voice to the chorus here - FILE IMMEDIATELY! I went through this exact situation about a year ago when I was laid off with severance covering through the new year. The most important thing I learned is that NY unemployment system actually handles lump sum severance pretty well once you know how to navigate it. During your application, there's a specific section for severance details where you'll clearly indicate it's a lump sum payment covering through December 31st. Here's what worked for me: I filed my claim the day after my layoff, even though I knew I wouldn't see benefits for months. The system automatically calculated my weekly severance allocation during certifications - I just had to confirm the amount each week. During those weeks, my benefits showed as $0, but my claim stayed active. The key is religiously doing your weekly certifications even during the $0 weeks. I cannot stress this enough - it maintains your claim status and creates the documentation trail you'll need when benefits kick in. For getting through on the phone - I had success calling at exactly 8:00 AM on Tuesdays. Took about 30 minutes on hold but I actually reached a human who confirmed I was handling everything correctly. My benefits started seamlessly the week after my severance period ended because everything was already established in the system. The 5+ week processing time everyone mentions is real, so don't delay another day. The earlier you file, the smoother your transition to benefits will be come January.

Just went through this exact situation 6 months ago and wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! Got laid off in April with lump sum severance through July, and like everyone else is saying - filing immediately was absolutely the right call. A few things that really helped me that I haven't seen mentioned yet: 1. When you're filling out the severance section, there's actually a dropdown where you can select "lump sum payment" vs "periodic payments" - make sure you choose the right one as it affects how they process your weekly allocations. 2. Keep a copy of your severance agreement/letter handy during the application. They ask for specific dates and amounts, and having the exact wording from your employer helps ensure consistency. 3. During my severance period, I used the time to do some freelance work. Just a heads up - you'll need to report ANY income during weekly certifications, including small freelance amounts. It doesn't disqualify you, but be transparent about everything. The NY system really is set up to handle these scenarios - I was pleasantly surprised how smoothly it went once I got past the initial application processing (which did take about 5 weeks). My benefits started the first week after my severance ended with no gaps or issues. To everyone in similar boats - stop second-guessing and file today. This thread has given you better guidance than you'll get anywhere else!