Am I eligible for unemployment if I get fired from my job in New York?

Yes, you can still be eligible for unemployment benefits even if you're fired, but it depends on the reason. NYS Department of Labor will approve your claim if you were terminated for reasons beyond your control - like poor performance, lack of work, or company downsizing. However, if you're fired for misconduct (like stealing, being consistently late, or violating company policy), you'll likely be disqualified. The fact that they're writing you up for 'little things' suggests it might not be misconduct, but you'll need to provide details when you file your claim.

been there myself last year. got fired from my warehouse job for 'performance issues' and NYS Department of Labor approved my claim no problem. took about 2 weeks to get my first payment though so start applying as soon as you lose the job

When you file your unemployment claim, NYS Department of Labor will send a notice to your employer asking for their side of the story. Your employer has 10 days to respond and contest your claim if they think you were fired for misconduct. If they contest it, your claim will go into adjudication while they investigate. During this time, keep filing your weekly claims even though you won't receive payments yet. The investigation can take several weeks, but if you're approved, you'll get back-pay for all the weeks you filed.

ugh this whole system is SO stressful!! I got fired 3 months ago and I'm STILL waiting for my claim to be resolved because my stupid employer contested it. They said I was 'insubordinate' but really I just questioned why they were making us work mandatory overtime without proper notice. Now I'm broke and can't even get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to check on my case!

just make sure you file right away! I waited like 3 days after getting fired and apparently that hurt my case somehow?? also keep all your paperwork from work in case they try to lie about why they fired you

I went through something similar when I got let go from my office job last year. The key thing is to apply online through the NYS Department of Labor website (labor.ny.gov) as soon as possible - you can file your claim the same day you lose your job. Make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history ready. You'll also need your employer's information including their address and phone number. The whole process takes about 30-45 minutes online. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed notes about the reasons they gave for firing me, so I could provide accurate information when they asked. Don't let the stress get to you - based on what you've described, it sounds like you have a good chance of getting approved since those write-ups seem pretty minor.

I just went through this exact situation about 2 months ago! Got fired from my retail job for similar petty reasons (they said I wasn't "enthusiastic enough" during slow periods). Filed for unemployment the day I got fired and was approved within 3 weeks. The key things that helped me: 1) I applied online immediately through labor.ny.gov, 2) I was completely honest about why I was fired, and 3) I had saved screenshots of all the ridiculous write-ups they gave me. NYS Department of Labor sees right through employers who fire people for made-up reasons. Since you've been there 8 months and it sounds like performance issues rather than misconduct, you should be fine. The weekly benefit amount isn't huge but it definitely helped me cover rent while job hunting. Don't stress too much - the system actually works pretty well for situations like yours!

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress, but based on everything I've read here, you're in a much better position than you realize! I just want to add one practical tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation - start checking the NYS Department of Labor website now (labor.ny.gov) and maybe even create your account ahead of time if possible. When I got laid off unexpectedly, I was so grateful I had already familiarized myself with the interface because I was pretty emotional and scattered that day. Also, the write-ups you're describing for being 3 minutes late and folding issues are honestly laughable from a legal standpoint - those are classic examples of employers creating a paper trail but not actual misconduct. Keep documenting everything, don't quit voluntarily no matter what they say, and remember that even if they contest your claim, that doesn't mean they'll win. You've got 8 months of work history and what sounds like a solid case. Try to breathe and take it one day at a time!