Filing for Freedom
It is now June. Ah, Summer!
What are your plans?? I would love to know what adventures await for you this season! For us, we plan on spending more time camping, beaching, and boating!
This also marks a new season of adjustment and adaptment for me….one I’ve seen before and will be getting reacquainted with. Unemployment.
YUP! My time is up and instead of wallowing in the fact I will really need to buckle down and budget, I am reframing and reveling in my freedom. I am no longer, in anyway, tied to my past employer. The boxes are gone, the people are gone (that one makes me sad) and the financial reliability is gone. Sounds like a lot of loss, right? But I see it as a gain. I am no longer dependent on them for anything. It is nothing but me, myself, and I (figuratively speaking) and I am actually really excited for what is next! It really does feel like freedom.
Let’s just briefly talk about the process of unemployment. Normally I wouldn't feel it necessary to share my income status, but I promised transparency along my layoff journey. I truly want others going through similar situations to understand it is really just a season of life. As Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall pass on to the next, this also will. It is not permanent and it is a program you are entitled to in times of need. I really want to stress the importance for a strong, healthy mindset and understand you are not alone.
(Please note- I am specifically speaking of my experience with NYS Unemployment. This could vary depending on the state you reside in)
OK! So, now that you are mentally prepared, we can outline the physical process. Filing for unemployment can feel intimidating and daunting. There are a lot of questions to get through, there’s pressure to make sure you are entering in the correct dates, and then there is the waiting game of being approved and when you can actually certify your weekly benefits. If you are in a layoff/workforce reduction scenario, I strongly suggest you re-read any separation agreements from your previous employer to ensure you know exactly when you can file. For me, I needed to wait until my severance was exhausted before I could begin this process.
In NYS there is a 90 day WARN (Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification) period which requires covered businesses to give 90 days notice of any layoff or workforce reduction. I want to make a very concise and clear statement that what I am about to say next is not gospel BUT feel it is worth you checking into - it was not clear in my paperwork whether or not you could be eligible for unemployment during your WARN period but there was a very gray statement that led most of us to believe we might be. Some individuals I know did try and file but were denied with the reason that NYS was exempt from offering unemployment benefits during WARN, and some took the appeal process to see what would happen. There is a clause if you dig deep into the DOL website regarding unemployment benefits and the WARN period. The appeal process can be very long and will take some follow up on your end. But my unprofessional advice is to always try! AND DO YOUR RESEARCH!
I think it is a great idea to get a NYS account set up with a username and log in ahead of time to avoid any delays there. If you have applied for any NYS jobs in the past, the same username and password should get you right back in to your account, though it may prompt you to change your password. Once in, you will find the tab for Unemployment Benefits and begin to file a claim. This is where you will fill out the several page “application” and will need your NYS drivers license or ID, checking/savings routing and account numbers if you choose direct deposit, and the FEIN or EIN from your employer (depending on what type of company you worked for- you can find it on your W2). I guess what I am trying to say is, have all of your shit ready when you begin the claim process so you don’t scramble, making yourself frustrated. Federal and Government jobs might have extra steps- there are specific questions related to this and educational facilities also.
Once approved, you sort of wait. I had completed all of these steps over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. By Tuesday I was able to certify! I did not receive any messages or emails however, so just keep checking back. I will say despite the process being somewhat detailed, it has been very intuitive and easy to navigate. I would just check everything to make sure your information is correct, you are identified, and your payment preference is ready to go. It is noted during the filing process, and I remember it well from last time, you have to be ready and willing to work. There are LOTS of resources for resume building and job finding which seem to be very helpful. Additionally, there is SEAP which stands for Self-Employment Assistance Program. This allows you to start your own business while collecting unemployment benefits. There are certain requirements so please ensure you read through, but everything I’ve just discussed about NYS unemployment, WARN, and SEAP can all be found here - https://dol.ny.gov/
The month of June is often correlated with love, fertility, and new beginnings. We have the summer solstice that takes place in June, giving abundance and renewal. And June is the 6th month of the year! Holy shit, how are we half-way through 2025 already??? That escalated quickly. But hopefully everyone takes a moment to reflect on all that 2025 has brought you so far. Lastly, to tie it allll together, the cover photo for this weeks blog is of a Raven. Ravens symbolize change, adaptation, wisdom, and knowledge. They are beautiful little messengers and guides.
I will leave you with this… Always find your silver lining. Always find your alignment. Welcome each new season with gratitude and grace.
See you next Tuesday : ) Love yous guys! xoxo