Can I apply for unemployment if I quit my job in NY - NYS Department of Labor eligibility?
I'm thinking about quitting my current position because of some serious workplace issues but I'm worried about money. Can I still apply for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor if I voluntarily leave? I've heard mixed things about this and want to know what the actual rules are before I make this decision. Has anyone been through this situation?
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William Rivera
Generally speaking, if you voluntarily quit your job you won't qualify for unemployment benefits unless you can prove you had "good cause" for leaving. NYS Department of Labor has specific criteria for what counts as good cause - things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, significant changes to your job duties or pay, or being asked to do something illegal. You'd need solid documentation to support your claim.
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Kayla Jacobson
•What kind of documentation would I need exactly? I have some emails about the issues but not sure if that's enough.
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Grace Lee
quit my last job and got denied UI benefits immediately. Had to appeal and it was a nightmare process that took months. Unless you have really solid proof of harassment or something dangerous, NYS Department of Labor will probably deny your claim initially.
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Kayla Jacobson
•Did you eventually win your appeal? How long did the whole process take?
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Mia Roberts
You should try talking to an NYS Department of Labor agent about your specific situation before you quit. The problem is their phone lines are always jammed and getting through is nearly impossible. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach NYS Department of Labor agents - check out claimyr.com and their demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Might be worth getting official guidance before making such a big decision.
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The Boss
•Never heard of that service but honestly anything that helps get through to NYS Department of Labor sounds worth trying. Their phone system is absolutely terrible.
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Evan Kalinowski
i thought you could get unemployment if you quit for good reason like if your boss was being abusive or something? my friend got benefits after she quit because her manager was harassing her but she had to prove it
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William Rivera
•Your friend was right - that would fall under "good cause" but she needed evidence. The key is having documentation like emails, witness statements, or formal complaints filed with HR.
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Victoria Charity
The NYS Department of Labor will scrutinize voluntary quits very carefully. Even if you think you have good cause, they might still initially deny your claim and you'll have to go through the appeal process. That could take weeks or months before you see any money. Are you sure you can't try to resolve the workplace issues first or look for another job while still employed?
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Kayla Jacobson
•I've been trying to find another job for months but nothing has come through yet. The situation at work is getting really bad and affecting my mental health.
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