Update us when you get that determination letter! The exact wording will determine your next steps. While you're waiting, compile a chronological list of every interaction you've had with both NYSDOL and your former employer including dates, times, and names. This timeline will be extremely valuable during your appeal hearing. Also, if you're struggling financially while this gets resolved, you can request an emergency hearing due to financial hardship. This can sometimes speed up the process by 2-3 weeks.

Wow, this is exactly why I always tell people to document EVERYTHING when dealing with NYSDOL - they seem to have serious communication issues between departments. The fact that your determination letter says "voluntarily left" when you were clearly terminated shows there's a major disconnect somewhere in their system. Since you now have the official reason for denial in writing, you definitely need to appeal this within 30 days. Focus your appeal on two main points: 1) You were terminated, not quit voluntarily, and 2) Your termination was due to disability discrimination which would qualify as "good cause" even if you had quit. Get that written statement from your former employer ASAP confirming you were terminated. Also, since this involves disability discrimination, make sure to mention in your appeal that you're filing a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights - this adds weight to your case and shows the termination wasn't legitimate. Don't give up! Cases like yours with clear documentation usually get resolved in favor of the claimant once you get in front of an actual hearing officer who can review everything properly.

The whole system is so frustrating!!! I've been waiting 18 days and still nothing. Meanwhile bills are piling up and they act like we're asking for charity instead of benefits we earned. The NYS Department of Labor needs to do better with their processing times.

I just went through this process last month and it took 9 business days from filing to getting my first payment. The key things that helped speed it up were: 1) Making sure all my employer info was accurate when I filed, 2) Responding immediately to any requests for additional documentation, and 3) filing my weekly claims right away even while waiting for approval. The "under review" status is normal - mine stayed that way until the day it suddenly switched to approved. Keep checking the portal daily and don't panic if it seems slow, the system is actually working better than it used to. Good luck!

Not sure if this helps, but when I FINALLY got through to someone after trying that Claimyr service, the agent told me they're prioritizing DocuSign emails for people who call in because there's a backlog of over 15,000 waiting to be sent automatically. So if you just wait, you might be waiting a LONG time. Just something to keep in mind if your benefits are on hold until you complete those forms.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now - got the text on November 3rd but still no DocuSign email. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like calling with the "online account access issues" option is the way to go. @Mei Wong thanks for sharing that tip about which phone option to choose, that's super helpful! It's honestly ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get basic unemployment benefits, but at least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess.

That's good advice above - definitely keep certifying every week even while waiting for approval. And make sure to check your account/email regularly for any requests for additional information. Those have strict deadlines and can delay your claim if missed.

Congrats on getting through! That's awesome that Claimyr worked for you. For anyone else still struggling, I wanted to add that there's also a separate number for technical issues with the online system: 1-518-457-9000. It's specifically for if you're having trouble with the website or online application. Sometimes they can help troubleshoot issues that are preventing you from filing online, which might be faster than waiting for the main claims line. Just another option to try if you're stuck!

The NYS Department of Labor is a joke honestly. They make you jump through hoops and then take forever to process anything. I waited 7 weeks for mine and when I finally got through to someone they said it was just sitting in a queue. No rhyme or reason to it.

I'm in a similar situation - filed about 2 weeks ago and still pending. From what I've gathered talking to others, the timeline really depends on whether your case gets flagged for review. Simple layoffs like yours should be faster, but the system is just overwhelmed right now. One thing that helped me was creating a my.ny.gov account if you haven't already - you can track your claim status there and make sure you're not missing any requests for documentation. Also, definitely keep filing those weekly claims even while pending. I know the wait is stressful when bills are due, but hang in there!