The system is so confusing for young people trying to enter the workforce! My daughter had similar questions when she was in high school. Even if he doesn't qualify now, tell him to keep track of his earnings and work history because it might help him later if he faces unemployment after building up more work experience.

One thing worth mentioning is that even though your brother probably won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits due to insufficient work history, he might want to look into other resources for young workers in New York. Some counties have youth employment programs or workforce development services that can help with job placement when hours get cut. Also, if his employer reduced his hours significantly, he could potentially look for a second part-time job to make up the income difference while building that work history for future unemployment eligibility.

good luck with this whole mess, the unemployment system is so confusing for first-timers

I went through something similar last year when my company "restructured" (aka laid off half the staff). As long as you stick to the facts - that you were laid off due to restructuring - you should be fine. The NYS DOL will contact your former employer to verify the reason for separation, so don't overthink it. Just be honest about what happened. Also, make sure you have your W-2s and pay stubs ready when you apply - they'll ask for wage information from your previous employers. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for me to get approved and start receiving benefits.

Marcus, I'm really sorry you're going through this - the combination of mental health struggles and a toxic work environment is incredibly difficult to navigate. I wanted to share some additional perspective as someone who works in HR and has seen these cases from the employer side. One thing I'd emphasize is timing - don't wait until you're at your absolute breaking point to start building your case. The stronger your documentation is before you quit, the better your chances with NYS Department of Labor. Beyond what others have mentioned, also document any company policies your employer might be violating. Many companies have anti-harassment policies or mental health support commitments they're not following. If your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), consider using it now while you're still employed - it shows you tried to get help through company resources first. Also, check if your company has any internal grievance procedures you haven't used yet. Sometimes going through these processes (even if they don't help) can actually strengthen your unemployment case by showing you exhausted all internal options. One practical tip: when you do request accommodations, ask for a written response within a specific timeframe (like 10 business days). If they don't respond or give you verbal responses only, follow up in writing saying "Per our conversation on [date]..." This creates a clear paper trail of their non-compliance. Your mental health absolutely comes first, but taking these steps now while you're still employed will give you the best shot at getting the benefits you deserve. Hang in there!

Marcus, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this situation - it's heartbreaking how toxic workplaces can destroy our mental health. I went through something very similar about 18 months ago and want to share what I learned from the experience. The good news is that NYS Department of Labor can and does approve unemployment claims for mental health resignations, but you absolutely need to build a strong case first. The key is proving you had "good cause" to quit - meaning a reasonable person in your situation would have felt they had no other choice. Here's what made the difference in my case: I started documenting everything while still employed. I kept a detailed log of every incident that affected my mental health (specific dates, what was said, who was present), saved all emails showing unreasonable demands, and tracked how these incidents were impacting my ability to sleep, eat, and function. Most importantly, I requested accommodations through HR first - things like modified deadlines, written communication instead of verbal confrontations with my supervisor, and permission to take short breaks when feeling overwhelmed. When they either denied these requests or ignored them completely, it actually strengthened my unemployment case because it showed I'd tried everything before quitting. My therapist also wrote a detailed letter explaining how my work environment was specifically interfering with my treatment progress and preventing my recovery. She used clinical language about how the workplace stress was "incompatible with my mental health treatment plan." The process took about 6 weeks and the financial stress during that waiting period was really tough. But I was approved and got all the back pay. Your mental health is worth more than any job - just make sure you protect yourself legally by building that paper trail first. You can get through this!

File today!! Don't let your pride stop you - you paid into unemployment insurance for exactly this situation. Even if your employer contests it, you can appeal and often win. I got fired for 'attitude problems' and still got approved after they reviewed the case.

Hey Leila, I went through something similar last year and the key thing is don't overthink it - just file NOW. You can file your claim online at labor.ny.gov and it takes maybe 20-30 minutes. The system will ask you about why you were terminated, just answer honestly. "Poor performance" without any documented warnings or willful misconduct on your part usually won't disqualify you. I was worried my employer would fight it too but they didn't even respond to the DOL's inquiry. Even if they do contest it, you'll get a chance to tell your side of the story. The benefits really help while you're job searching, and you've earned them through all those payroll deductions. Don't leave money on the table!

Just remember you need to keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial determination. A lot of people don't realize this and then miss out on payments for those weeks. The weekly claim filing keeps your place in line basically.

I just went through this process recently and got approved after about 2.5 weeks. One thing that really helped was making sure I had all my employment documentation ready - like pay stubs and the separation notice from my employer. Since your store closed, that should actually work in your favor because it's clearly not a voluntary quit or termination for cause. Just keep checking your my.ny.gov account daily and respond immediately to any requests for additional info. Also, definitely start filing your weekly claims like others mentioned - I almost missed doing that at first!