I'm going through something very similar right now and it's so validating to see others have faced this too. One thing I learned from my lawyer consultation is that NYS Department of Labor considers it "constructive dismissal" when workplace conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. The key phrase they look for is whether you had "no reasonable alternative" but to resign. Beyond the medical documentation everyone mentioned, also keep records of any company policies they might be violating - like if they have anti-harassment or mental health support policies they're not following. If your supervisor is creating the toxic environment, document specific dates, times, and witnesses if possible. Also check if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - using it shows you tried to get help while staying employed, which can strengthen your case. The waiting period is brutal though, so definitely start gathering all your documentation now while you're still employed. And consider reaching out to legal aid organizations in NY - some offer free consultations for employment issues and can help you understand your rights before you make the decision to quit.

Marcus, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation - workplace stress can be absolutely devastating to mental health. I went through something similar about 6 months ago and want to share what I learned from the process. First, the good news: yes, you can potentially qualify for NYS unemployment if you quit due to mental health issues, but the documentation requirements are pretty strict. The key thing NYS Department of Labor looks for is whether you had "good cause" - meaning a reasonable person in your situation would have felt they had no choice but to quit. Here's what really helped my case: I started keeping a detailed daily journal of workplace incidents that triggered my anxiety (specific dates, what happened, who was involved). I also asked my therapist to write a detailed letter explaining how my work environment was specifically impacting my mental health recovery and why continuing in that role would be detrimental. The most important thing - and I can't stress this enough - is to try requesting accommodations through HR first, even if you think they'll say no. Document everything in writing (emails are best). When they denied my requests for a modified workload and schedule flexibility, it actually strengthened my unemployment case because it showed I'd exhausted all reasonable alternatives before quitting. The process took about 6 weeks for me, but I did get approved. The financial stress during that waiting period was brutal, so definitely have a backup plan if possible. Feel free to ask if you want more details about any part of the process!

keep filing those weekly claims! even if ur not getting paid yet you need to maintain ur claim or you'll lose everything

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and it's been stuck in adjudication. From what I've learned reading through other posts here, it seems like the NYS Department of Labor is really backlogged and the "adjudication in progress" status usually means they're verifying something with your former employer or checking your eligibility. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when bills are piling up. Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? I've heard some people had luck getting their cases expedited that way when the normal phone lines weren't working.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and can confirm what others have said - you absolutely should file one final weekly claim for the week you started working, reporting those work days and any earnings accurately. After that, just stop filing and your claim will automatically close after a few weeks of non-certification. The key thing is being completely transparent about your work schedule and pay on that final claim. I was also paranoid about getting in trouble, but as long as you're honest about everything, you're doing exactly what you're supposed to do. Don't overthink it! And congratulations on landing the new job - it's such a good feeling to be back to work after being on unemployment.

I went through this same process about 3 months ago and can confirm what everyone else is saying - definitely file one final weekly claim for the week you started working, reporting those work days and earnings honestly. Then just stop filing weekly claims and your case will automatically close. I was also really nervous about doing something wrong, but the process is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to expect. The most important thing is just being completely accurate about your work hours and pay on that final certification. NYS DOL really does cross-check everything with employer records, so honesty is definitely the best policy. Don't stress about calling them directly - filing that final claim with your work details is all you need to do. Congrats on the new job and welcome back to the workforce!

been there done that with partial benefits last year when covid hit my restaurant job. honestly saved my butt financially. just be super careful about reporting your earnings accurately each week or you'll end up with an overpayment mess to deal with later

@Natasha Kuznetsova - I went through this exact situation last year when my retail hours got slashed. The application process is straightforward through my.ny.gov, but here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: when you certify weekly, be 100% accurate about your work days and earnings. Even small mistakes can trigger overpayment issues later. Also, keep detailed records of everything - your work schedule, pay stubs, and all correspondence with DOL. The partial benefits really do help bridge that income gap while you're looking for additional work or waiting for your hours to pick back up. You've got this!

Just remember the benefits are taxable income so don't spend it all thinking you're getting free money. I learned that the hard way last year.

The whole system is designed to pay you as little as possible while making you jump through endless hoops. Good luck actually getting your money without fighting for it.