I'm going through something very similar right now - got terminated for attendance issues last month but it was because I was dealing with some serious family health crises that required me to miss work for hospital visits and caregiving. I was so nervous about applying for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified you, but after reading everyone's experiences here I filed my claim with NYS Department of Labor yesterday. It's really encouraging to see that so many people in similar situations were able to get approved. The online application was pretty straightforward, and I made sure to be completely honest about why I was terminated and the circumstances that led to my attendance issues. Now I'm just waiting to hear back about whether they need to do a fact-finding interview. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helped give me the confidence to apply rather than just assuming I wouldn't qualify.

I was in a really similar situation about 8 months ago - got fired from a manufacturing job for attendance issues that were mostly due to chronic migraines and some family emergencies. I was so scared to apply because I thought getting fired meant automatic disqualification, but I'm really glad I did. The NYS Department of Labor ended up approving my claim after about 5 weeks of review. During my phone interview with the adjudicator, I explained how my health condition made it unpredictable when I'd be able to work, and how I tried to communicate with my supervisor when possible. What really helped was that I had kept screenshots of texts I sent to my boss about being sick, and I had some medical records showing my condition was real. The adjudicator seemed to understand that legitimate health issues are totally different from just skipping work because you don't want to go. Even without formal documentation from your employer, if you can show you made efforts to communicate about your health problems and that they were genuine medical issues, you have a good chance. Definitely apply right away like others said - you've paid into the system and you deserve a fair review of your situation!

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and ended up missing my interview despite trying everything to reschedule. Here's what I learned: if you absolutely can't reach them before Tuesday, call immediately AFTER you miss the interview to explain what happened. I called within an hour of my missed appointment and was able to get it rescheduled for the following week. The rep told me that calling right after shows good faith effort and they're more likely to work with you. Also, if you're collecting partial benefits while working part-time, make sure to emphasize that the training is mandatory for your current employment - they understand work obligations better than personal conflicts. Keep trying those early morning calls though, 8am sharp seems to be the sweet spot!

I've been through this exact scenario twice with NYS DOL. First time I panicked and just missed it - big mistake, they denied my claim. Second time I was smarter about it. Here's what worked: I called the main line at 7:58am and kept hitting redial until I got through (took about 20 minutes but worth it). When I explained I had mandatory work training, they were actually pretty understanding since I'm on partial benefits. They rescheduled me for the next day at 10am. The key things that helped: 1) I called BEFORE the interview, not after 2) I had my training documentation ready 3) I explained I was actively working part-time (they seem more flexible when you're working). If you truly can't get through, send an email to the address on your interview notice AND call immediately after the missed appointment. Don't give up - I know people who've gotten rescheduled even after missing their first interview if they can prove work conflict.

I'm new to this community but reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where my hours at a fast-casual restaurant got cut from about 30 to roughly 12 per week starting three weeks ago. The success stories from @Jamal Brown and @Savannah Vin have given me real hope that I might be able to qualify for unemployment if I handle this correctly. I've already started taking screenshots of my schedules and keeping notes, but I realize I need to be more systematic about documentation. My manager keeps saying the cuts are due to "slower winter business" but three weeks feels like more than just a temporary slowdown. I'm planning to send a formal email this week requesting restoration of my hours and asking for a specific timeline. The financial stress is really getting to me - I'm already behind on my phone bill and worried about rent next month. Has anyone successfully gotten unemployment when the employer's reason was seasonal/business slowdown rather than more obvious constructive dismissal? I want to make sure I'm building the strongest possible case before making any decisions. Thank you all for sharing your stories and advice!

I'm new here but going through almost the exact same thing! My hours at a retail chain got cut from about 35 to 14 per week starting a month ago. Reading all these success stories, especially @Jamal Brown and @Savannah Vin, has been so encouraging and helpful for understanding how to approach this properly. I've been really stressed about whether I'd have any chance of getting unemployment if I quit, but it sounds like with proper documentation and following the right steps, it's definitely possible. I've started keeping screenshots of my schedules and I'm planning to have a formal conversation with my manager this week about restoring my hours, followed by a written email request. The financial reality is hitting hard - I'm already struggling to cover basic expenses and it's only getting worse. Has anyone dealt with a manager who keeps promising things will "get better soon" but never gives specific timelines? Mine has been saying that for weeks now and I'm not sure how long I should wait before considering other options. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread has been exactly what I needed to find some hope and a clear path forward!

once you get the card you'll need to activate it online or by phone. there's instructions that come with it. and heads up the PIN they give you is temporary so change it right away to something you'll remember

Just wanted to add that you can also track your payment status through the my.ny.gov portal under "Unemployment Services" - it shows exactly when your payment moves from pending to released. I found this helpful because I could see the progression rather than just waiting and wondering. Once it shows as released, the card typically arrives within that 5-7 business day window that Diego mentioned. Also double-check that you certified for your weekly benefits correctly as any issues there can delay the payment release.

good luck! most ppl who get fired still qualify unless they did something really bad

I went through something similar when I was fired for "insubordination" after questioning a safety violation at my workplace. What really helped my case was documenting everything - I wrote down dates, times, and details of conversations with my supervisor. When I filed my unemployment claim, I was completely honest about the circumstances and provided all the documentation I had. NYS DOL approved my benefits because they determined it wasn't misconduct. My advice is to file immediately and don't let your employer's version of events discourage you from applying. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised. Also keep records of your job search efforts from day one since you'll need to report that weekly.