The whole system is rigged anyway!! They deny everyone first hoping you just give up. I got denied initially too even though I was clearly laid off due to company downsizing. Had to appeal and fight for months before finally getting approved. Document EVERYTHING for your appeal!

For unsafe working conditions, you'll need evidence like: written complaints you filed, photos of hazards, witness statements from coworkers, any responses from management, documentation that you tried internal remedies first. The key is showing you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. NYS Department of Labor considers this 'constructive dismissal' if you can prove it.

The whole system is broken honestly. I waited 7 weeks last year and when I finally got through to someone they told me my claim was held up because they needed to verify my identity, but I never got any notice asking for documents. Make sure you check your online account AND your mail regularly because sometimes they send requests that aren't obvious.

Just hang in there - 10 days really isn't that long in unemployment time. The anxiety is the worst part but most straightforward layoff cases get approved without major delays.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to discuss your denial or file an appeal, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. It was way easier than trying to call the regular number and getting hung up on constantly. Might be worth checking out since you're on a tight timeline for your appeal.

Other reasons they deny claims include not registering with the job search system properly, missing your weekly claim filings, or having issues with your identity verification. But yours sounds like a quit situation so focus on gathering evidence that you had good cause. Hostile work environment can qualify but the bar is pretty high - you need to show it was intolerable and you had no other choice.

Yeah frictional unemployment is the most common type. Just make sure you're keeping detailed records of your job search activities for NYS Department of Labor. They can ask for proof during any review or audit of your claim.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor agents to ask questions about your claim status, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you actually reach a real person instead of sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I needed to clarify some job search requirement questions.

Wait I'm confused about the base period thing... is that the last 4 quarters or the last year? And what if I just started working recently?

Don't forget you can get benefits for up to 26 weeks usually, but you have to meet the job search requirements and file those weekly claims religiously or they'll cut you off.