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.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I've been stuck in the system for 6 weeks with no clear answers, and like many of you, I've experienced the endless phone loops and disconnections. What really strikes me from reading everyone's experiences is how systematic this problem seems to be - it's not just individual cases of poor service, but a pattern of dysfunction that's affecting thousands of people who depend on these benefits. I'm going to follow the multi-channel approach that several people have outlined: starting with the Bureau of Customer Relations while simultaneously contacting my state representatives and filing with the Inspector General and Comptroller offices. I've been keeping detailed records but will now add the financial impact documentation as suggested. It's both frustrating and encouraging to see that persistence and strategic pressure through multiple channels can actually work. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and successful strategies - this community support means a lot when dealing with such a broken system.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now - 5 weeks of "pending" status with zero communication from NYS DOL. The phone system is completely broken and I've been documenting everything like others suggested. Reading through all these responses has given me hope that there are actual paths forward beyond just waiting helplessly. I'm going to start with contacting my assembly member's office tomorrow while simultaneously filing complaints with the Bureau of Customer Relations and State Comptroller. The advice about including financial hardship documentation is crucial - I have bank statements showing late fees and overdraft charges that I'll definitely include. It's infuriating that we have to become expert advocates just to access benefits we're entitled to, but I'm grateful for everyone sharing what actually worked for them. This community has provided more useful information in one thread than I've gotten from weeks of trying to navigate the official channels. I'll update on my progress in case it helps others in similar situations.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! My hours got cut from 32 to about 10 per week and when I quit because I couldn't pay my bills, they denied my claim for "voluntary quit without good cause." Reading all these success stories about late appeals and constructive dismissal is giving me so much hope - I had no idea these were even options! I'm about 6 weeks past my denial notice but it sounds like that's not necessarily the end of the road. The fact that so many people here have successfully argued that dramatic hour reductions constitute constructive dismissal is really encouraging. I've got pay stubs showing the huge drop in hours and some text messages from my manager about the schedule changes. Definitely going to try calling the appeals office directly this week like everyone's suggesting. It's so frustrating that they automatically call these situations "voluntary" when 10 hours a week isn't even enough to cover rent, let alone everything else. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you've given me the courage to fight this decision!

I'm dealing with a nearly identical situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My employer cut my hours from 36 to just 9 hours per week, and when I couldn't afford to stay, they denied my unemployment claim for "voluntary quit." I had no idea about constructive dismissal or that late appeals were possible until reading everyone's experiences here. I'm about 8 weeks past my denial notice, but seeing so many success stories gives me real hope. I have pay stubs showing the dramatic reduction and some emails where my supervisor kept saying the cuts were "just for a few weeks" but they never restored my hours. It's really encouraging to see that appeals judges seem to understand these situations much better than the initial reviewers. Going to call the appeals office tomorrow and explain that I genuinely thought I had no options after the denial. Thank you all for sharing your stories - you've shown me that 9 hours a week clearly isn't enough to survive on and that I shouldn't have to accept being labeled as someone who "voluntarily" quit when I was essentially forced out!

Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims once your initial application is processed! That's a whole separate thing you have to do every week to actually get paid. And start keeping a job search log immediately because NYS Department of Labor requires you to be actively looking for work.

I just went through this process last month and wanted to add a few tips that really helped me. First, have your W-2s and final pay stubs ready - they'll ask for specific wage information and it's way easier if you have the documents in front of you. Second, when you get to the "reason for separation" section, there's usually a dropdown menu with options like "lack of work," "layoff," "discharged," etc. Since your position was eliminated due to budget cuts, "lack of work" is typically the right choice. Also, don't stress too much about being perfect - you can always call to correct minor mistakes, and they'll contact you if they need clarification on anything. The key is just being honest and thorough. Good luck with your claim!

I'm in a similar situation but haven't filed yet because I wasn't sure if the overpayment would block me. This thread is super helpful! One thing I'm wondering about - if they take 25-30% from each payment, does that percentage stay the same until the overpayment is paid off, or do they adjust it based on how much you still owe? Also, has anyone had luck setting up a separate repayment plan so they don't have to take as much from your weekly benefits?

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now - about $1,900 from 2022 that I'm still paying back through weekly deductions. Just wanted to add that when you do file your new claim, make sure to report ANY income accurately, even small amounts from odd jobs or gig work. That's how a lot of these overpayments happen - people forget to report something or don't realize certain income counts. The good news is that once you're in the system paying back the overpayment, they usually don't hit you with penalties or interest as long as you keep filing honestly. Also, keep copies of everything - your weekly certifications, any correspondence from DOL, etc. It helps if there are ever questions later.