Is unemployment the same as disability benefits in New York?
I'm really confused about this and can't find a clear answer anywhere. I've been out of work for 2 months due to a back injury that's preventing me from doing my warehouse job. My doctor says I might be out for another month or two. A friend told me I should file for unemployment but another friend said I need disability instead. Are these the same thing? Can I get both? I tried calling NYS Department of Labor but the wait times are insane. Really need to figure this out ASAP because my savings are almost gone.
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Christian Burns
No, unemployment and disability are completely different programs with different rules. Unemployment is for people who are able and available to work but can't find a job. Disability is for people who can't work due to a medical condition. If you're unable to work due to your back injury, you wouldn't qualify for regular unemployment benefits because you have to be ready and able to accept work immediately.
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Jenna Sloan
•Oh wow, I had no idea there was such a strict difference. So if I can't lift anything over 20 pounds right now, unemployment is definitely out?
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Sasha Reese
wait I thought you could get unemployment if you got hurt at work?? my cousin got it when he hurt his shoulder
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Muhammad Hobbs
•Your cousin probably got workers' compensation if it was a work injury, or possibly short-term disability. Those are different from regular UI benefits. Workers comp covers workplace injuries specifically.
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Noland Curtis
For New York, you'd want to look into short-term disability insurance if you had it through your employer, or potentially apply for Social Security Disability if this is going to be long-term. NYS Department of Labor unemployment requires you to be actively seeking work and available to start immediately if offered a position. Your injury situation sounds like it would disqualify you from UI benefits.
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Jenna Sloan
•I think my employer had some kind of disability insurance. How do I find out what I'm eligible for? This is all so overwhelming.
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Noland Curtis
•Check with your HR department about short-term disability benefits. They should have given you paperwork when you were hired. If you're having trouble reaching anyone, I used claimyr.com recently to get through to unemployment agents when I couldn't get through the regular phone lines. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might help you reach the right people faster.
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Diez Ellis
The system is so confusing! I went through something similar last year when I had surgery. Turns out I qualified for short-term disability through my job but it took forever to figure out. Don't waste time applying for unemployment if you can't work - they'll just deny you and you'll have to go through the appeal process which is a nightmare.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•exactly!! the appeal process is such a pain. better to apply for the right thing from the start
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Abby Marshall
Just want to add that even if your injury heals and you become able to work again, you could potentially file for unemployment at that point if you're having trouble finding a new job. But right now while you're medically unable to work, disability benefits are your best bet. Hope your back heals up soon!
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