Same thing happened to me with a restaurant closure. Turns out I had checked the wrong box during filing and it made it look like I quit instead of being laid off when the business shut down permanently. The appeal was straightforward once I provided the closure notice from my employer.

The key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor has very specific wording they look for when processing claims. "Position eliminated" should absolutely qualify as involuntary separation, but sometimes their automated system flags certain phrases incorrectly. I'd recommend gathering your layoff documentation (termination letter, final pay stub showing reason) and filing an appeal immediately. When you appeal, be very clear that you were "laid off due to lack of work/position elimination" rather than using terms like "restructuring" which can sometimes be misinterpreted. The appeal process usually takes 2-4 weeks, and you can request expedited processing if you're facing financial hardship. Don't let this denial discourage you - many people have to appeal their first decision.

Just remember that even if the initial factors that cause unemployment seem straightforward, NYS Department of Labor might still put your claim in adjudication for review. Don't panic if this happens - it's normal for many claims, especially if there's any question about the separation circumstances.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! As someone new to this whole unemployment process, it's really reassuring to hear that layoffs due to downsizing are clearly qualifying factors that cause unemployment. I'm in a similar situation - lost my job when my company had to cut costs. Reading through these responses, it sounds like the key is being honest and having documentation ready. @Chloe Taylor, for proving your layoff was due to downsizing, you'll probably want to keep any emails or notices from your employer about the restructuring, and your final paycheck stub should show the separation reason too. The NYS Department of Labor will verify with your former employer anyway, so just stick to the facts!

Just want to add that you'll still need to do job search activities even with partial unemployment. The requirements are the same whether you're getting full or partial benefits. Keep track of your job contacts because NYS Department of Labor can ask for your job search log at any time.

oh yeah forgot about that part! you still gotta look for work even though you have the other job. kinda weird but thats the rule

The whole system is ridiculous anyway. Three jobs a week when there's barely any decent positions posted? NYS Department of Labor expects us to apply to anything just to meet their quota, even if it's not a good fit. It's just bureaucratic nonsense that doesn't actually help anyone find meaningful employment.

Just to add some clarity - the 3 work search activities per week is the standard requirement, but it's worth noting that NYS Department of Labor may have different requirements based on your benefit year or if you're in certain programs. I'd recommend checking your most recent determination letter or logging into your NY.gov account to see your specific requirements. Also, remember that "work search activities" is broader than just applications - it includes things like job interviews, career counseling, job fairs, and even creating/updating professional profiles on sites like LinkedIn. The key is documenting everything with dates, contact info, and what type of activity it was.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to file my claim this week. Hopefully the process isn't too complicated for partial benefits.

Good luck with your claim! Just a heads up - make sure you have all your employment documentation ready when you file. NYS DOL will want to verify your previous earnings to calculate your benefit amount. Keep copies of recent pay stubs and be prepared to provide your employer's information. The online application walks you through everything step by step, so it's actually pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part is just getting through if you need to call them with questions!