I went through something similar with my anxiety and panic disorder. One thing that really helped my case was getting a detailed letter from my psychiatrist that specifically mentioned how my work environment was exacerbating my condition and that continuing to work there would be harmful to my recovery. NYS Department of Labor seems to take it more seriously when the medical professional explicitly connects your mental health condition to your inability to continue in that specific job. Also, if you do decide to quit, make sure you phrase it as "constructive dismissal" if your employer was unwilling to accommodate your disability - this can sometimes be treated more like a termination than a voluntary quit. The process is stressful but don't let that discourage you from applying if you truly need the support.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned from talking to a disability advocate. The key thing is that NYS Department of Labor looks at whether your resignation was "involuntary" due to circumstances beyond your control. For mental health conditions like anxiety, you need to show three main things: 1) Medical documentation that your condition prevents you from performing your job duties, 2) Evidence that you attempted to work with your employer on accommodations (even if they refused), and 3) Proof that continuing to work would cause significant harm to your health. I'm still in the process myself, but having everything documented from the start has made me feel more confident about my case. Also, don't be afraid to mention if your workplace contributed to or worsened your anxiety - that can actually strengthen your claim for good cause.

just file and see what happens, worst they can do is say no

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. My manager was creating a hostile work environment and eventually told me I could resign or be terminated for "performance issues" that were clearly fabricated. I documented everything - the conversations, dates, witnesses, even took photos of the impossible tasks I was being assigned. When I filed for unemployment, NYS Department of Labor did put my claim into adjudication, but I was ultimately approved. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I had written evidence of the ultimatum, 2) I could show a pattern of discriminatory treatment, and 3) I demonstrated that I had no reasonable alternative but to quit. The process took about 8 weeks, but I did receive back pay for the entire period. Don't let anyone tell you it's hopeless - constructive discharge is a real thing and NYS Department of Labor does recognize it when properly documented.

I went through this exact situation last year when I was laid off from a $95k job. The $504 max is definitely a shock at first, but here's what helped me: Start applying immediately since there's a waiting week, set up direct deposit to get payments faster, and consider this an opportunity to reassess your expenses. I actually ended up finding a better position within 12 weeks. Also, don't forget you might be eligible for COBRA subsidies or marketplace health insurance to help with medical coverage during the transition.

@Giovanni Greco I feel your pain - I went through the same shock when I got laid off from a $120k job last year. The $504 max is brutal when you're used to higher earnings, but here are some practical tips that helped me survive those 4 months: 1) File your claim TODAY - don't wait, the sooner you start the process the better. 2) Start cutting non-essential expenses immediately (streaming services, dining out, etc). 3) Look into freelance or contract work in your field - you can still collect partial benefits if you earn under a certain threshold. 4) Network aggressively - most good jobs come through connections, not job boards. 5) Consider this time to maybe pivot to an even better role. The financial stress is real, but try to view this as a temporary setback rather than a catastrophe. You've got valuable experience at that salary level, so you're marketable. Hang in there!

I'm so glad to see people getting their approvals! I submitted my waiver in early June for a $2,100 overpayment from those duplicate payments. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really helpful - it sounds like most people are getting approved after 3-4 months of waiting, which gives me hope. I was starting to panic thinking I'd have to pay it back, especially since it was clearly their system error. Has anyone noticed if they're processing June submissions yet, or should I expect to wait until September/October? The uncertainty is the worst part!

I'm in a very similar situation - submitted my waiver in mid-June for a $1,850 overpayment from those duplicate payments. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring, especially seeing that most people are getting approved after 3-4 months. The waiting game is brutal though! I keep checking my online account and mailbox obsessively. It's encouraging to see that even with the long delays, NYSDOL seems to be recognizing that these were system errors on their end. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and outcomes - it really helps to know we're not alone in this mess. Fingers crossed we'll all have good news by fall!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm actually in the exact same boat - payment showing released from 11/14 but KeyBank says no pending deposit. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like there's definitely been system issues with batch releases since their platform update. I'm going to follow the same steps: call KeyBank first to confirm (already did), then use that Claimyr service to reach an actual NYSDOL agent. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and the specific phone numbers/resources. It's so frustrating when the automated system says everything is fine but your money is nowhere to be found!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My payment has been showing "Released" since 11/16 but still nothing on my KeyBank card as of today. After reading through all these comments, it's clear this is a widespread problem with their system updates. I called KeyBank first like everyone suggested (1-866-295-2955) and they confirmed no pending deposits from NYSDOL. Really frustrating when you're counting on that money! Going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned since it seems like the only reliable way to actually reach a human at NYSDOL these days. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is a lifesaver for people dealing with these payment glitches!