<prompt> Human: Hi, rpersonalfinance,I got laid off last Tuesday. I was staffed at this company that I dont want to name here for almost ten years, so thank god I walked with a package. Severance payments -as I understand it- will pay me out through September, on a bi-weekly basis, same amountfrequency as Ive been making for the past decade. I should say, for transparency, Im in NYC.My question is: I was told to file for unemployment, but when exactly can I do this? NY Labor Law says if I get a severance, which I am getting, then I cant receive benefits simultaneously. Thats all well and good -- I dont want to double dip and take more than I need. But it seems like from what Ive read online its better to apply sooner rather than later, no? All Ive done at this point is register an online account on the NY Labor site. I havent applied for anything or filed a claim of any kind. Should I apply now or wait until September? How exactly does one apply -- is it simply by filing a claim? Speaking with someone who works in the UI office would clear things up Im sure, but when I call their hotline, the automated thing blocks me from speaking with a person, and just loops menu options. Any helpclarityguidance would be greatly appreciated. EDIT: Just want to say thanks so much for all the great advice and words of encouragement. Assistant: File now, but you wont receive any money until after your severancevacationpro pays out. Simply file a claim, bring your checkbook some states give debt cardsHuman: So, when I try to file, it brings me to a screen asking if I made more than 435 that week. If I answer yes which I do, since my severance clears that amount, it wont allow me to file for anything. It just says try later at DATE TBD.Assistant: I simply went to my unemployment office, filled some papers and after my three weeks of severance I received 18 weeks of unemployment. If you go to the office in person bring your severance pay in writing. Human: I was trying to handle it all online, but I guess this is probably the smartest option. Assistant: When you go, keep your head held high. Dont be demoralized. Theres gonna be all sorts of people there from people gaming the system, totally broke people simply living off unemployment check, people who just were laid off and down on there luck. Everybody in between, from janitors to accountants, just dont let it bother you.The first time I went in I felt pretty low because I was laid off in Winter, and I felt I was living off the government until I went back to work.Best of luck. Human: Thanks for this. Ive been walking around in a daze since it happened. It sounds cliche, but it feels like a bad break-up, like someone reached into my chest and ripped out my heart. After ten years, I feel like I dont have a reason to leave the house, or interact with people, and that makes it all feel pretty hopeless. Im trying to keep my head up, but its not easy. Staying busy with life stuff like filing for UI, dealing with pension, etc and video games to keep my mind occupied so I dont dwell. Assistant: It will get better. I dont have the quote memorized but Marcus Aurelius wrote something to the effect that these hardships are temporary and that how we feel about them is just an opinion which you control. Also we should remember how many times we have already seen hardship and moved on. Good luck and enjoy some of your time to follow a passion before you get right back to work.Human: I want to take a month or so to jump into a creative project Ive had on the back burner for a while, but my lizard-brain is like look for a job now! What are you gonna do with your life?!! Figure it out! Need to shake that voice and just take advantage of the time.  <response>: Do both, its really hard to spend 40 hours a week job hunting if you have any kind of standards. 