I went through this exact same situation last year - warehouse job, unsafe conditions, forced resignation. The key thing that helped me win my appeal was being super specific about how the unsafe conditions violated OSHA standards. I listed every incident with dates, described exactly what safety equipment was broken or missing, and included photos I took on my phone. Also document any conversations where you brought up safety concerns to supervisors. The judge wants to see you made reasonable attempts to fix the situation before quitting. Don't just say "unsafe conditions" - say things like "forklift had faulty brakes reported on [date], no safety harnesses provided for elevated work, blocked emergency exits, etc." Good luck!

I've been through this process twice - once successfully, once not. The difference was in the details. For your unsafe warehouse conditions case, you need to frame it around NYS Labor Law standards. Mention specific violations like inadequate ventilation, broken machinery without lockout/tagout procedures, missing safety guards, or violations of warehouse height safety requirements. The administrative law judge needs to see that a reasonable person in your situation would have quit. Also, if you filed any workers' comp claims or incident reports while employed, definitely include those. One thing I learned the hard way - if you have any medical documentation showing stress or injury from the unsafe conditions, include that too. The NYS Department of Labor considers both physical safety and health impacts when determining "good cause" for leaving. Keep the letter under 2 pages but make every sentence count.

To answer your question about minimum earnings: for a 2025 claim in NY, you generally need to have: 1. Worked in at least two calendar quarters of your base period 2. Earned at least $3,700 in one of those quarters 3. Total earnings of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings across your entire base period So your part-time work at the end of 2024 might qualify if it meets these thresholds. When you call, ask specifically about whether your recent work history is sufficient for a new claim. And as suggested above, look into other assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) or HEAP (energy assistance) if you're struggling financially while job searching.

I'm in a similar situation - my BYE was in early 2022 and I've been struggling to understand the requirements for filing a new claim. From what everyone's shared here, it sounds like the key is having enough recent work history since your last claim ended, not just the alternate base period option. One thing I learned when I finally got through to NYSDOL (took forever!) is that they can sometimes do a preliminary eligibility check over the phone before you go through the full application process. This might save you time if your recent earnings don't meet the minimum thresholds. Also, if you do end up not qualifying for UI, definitely check out the career services at your local One-Stop center. They often have job placement assistance and sometimes even training programs that come with stipends. Good luck with your call!

I had the same confusion when I started working! The disability insurance deduction threw me off because I didn't know what it was for. If you ever need to contact NYS Department of Labor about unemployment eligibility or any questions, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually get through to their phone agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Super helpful when you can't get through the regular way.

just to confirm - NO employee payroll deductions for unemployment in NY. only employers pay those taxes. your paycheck should only have federal income tax, state income tax, social security, medicare, and disability insurance deducted.

Good luck with your job search! The market is tough for older workers but don't give up. Make sure you document all your job search activities for your weekly claims.

I'm sorry to hear about your layoff after 15 years - that must be really stressful. Your manager was definitely wrong about age limits. I went through something similar when I was laid off at 62. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't discriminate based on age for unemployment benefits. The main thing they care about is that you're actively looking for work and available to accept a job if offered. Since you mentioned wanting to keep working, you should have no problem meeting those requirements. Just make sure to keep good records of your job search activities for your weekly certifications. Best of luck with finding your next position!

anybody else think its crazy that in 2025 we still have to jump through all these hoops just to get our benefits?? the whole system needs to be completely redone!!

I'm going through something very similar right now - been waiting 3 months with a fraud flag on my account despite submitting all requested documents multiple times. The inconsistency between different reps is the worst part! One told me my case was being reviewed, another said I needed to resubmit everything, and a third said there was no fraud flag at all. It's like they're not even looking at the same system. I'm definitely going to try the Section 597.4 language that others mentioned here. It's ridiculous that we have to learn their internal codes just to get basic service, but if that's what it takes... Has anyone had success with the online portal messaging system, or is calling really the only way to make progress?