Can I collect unemployment for mental health reasons in New York?

Mental health can qualify you for unemployment benefits in certain situations. The key is whether you voluntarily quit or were terminated. If you quit due to mental health, you'd need to prove 'good cause' - which can include documented medical reasons that made continuing work impossible. You'll need medical documentation from your therapist or psychiatrist. The NYS Department of Labor will review your case during adjudication to determine if your circumstances meet their criteria.

be careful about the able and available requirement though... if youre too sick to work at your current job you might be too sick to work anywhere? i had a friend who got denied because of this catch-22

I'm going through something similar right now and it's been so stressful trying to figure out what to do. The whole system seems designed to make you jump through hoops when you're already struggling. Have you looked into FMLA first? That might protect your job while you get treatment.

If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to discuss your specific situation, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck trying to call for weeks about my adjudication and they got me connected within a day. Might be worth checking out since mental health cases often need individual review.

The NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating for situations like this! They expect you to navigate all this bureaucracy when you're already dealing with mental health issues. I hope you get the help you need. Document everything and don't give up if they initially deny you - appeals are always an option.

I went through this exact situation last year and was approved for unemployment benefits. The key things that helped my case: 1) I had detailed documentation from my psychiatrist explaining how my anxiety disorder made it impossible to perform my specific job duties, 2) I worked with my doctor to show I was actively seeking treatment and would be able to work in a different environment once stabilized, and 3) I was honest during the phone interview about my situation. The adjudication process took about 3 weeks, but they ultimately ruled in my favor. Don't let anyone discourage you - mental health is just as valid as physical health reasons. Make sure to emphasize that you're seeking treatment and want to return to work when you're able.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful. My work environment became toxic and triggered panic attacks that made it impossible to function. I've been hesitant to file for unemployment because I wasn't sure if mental health would be taken seriously, but reading about @Liam McConnell's success gives me hope. For anyone else going through this - please don't suffer in silence. Mental health is health, period. The system should support people who need time to heal, not punish them for seeking help. I'm planning to start gathering documentation from my therapist this week. We deserve to get better without facing financial ruin.

I want to add some practical advice based on what I've learned from researching this topic. When you're preparing your documentation, make sure your mental health provider specifically addresses how your condition impacts your ability to perform your job functions - not just that you have anxiety/depression. The NYS DOL needs to see the connection between your mental health condition and your work capacity. Also, if you do decide to quit, try to frame it as "constructive discharge" if your employer failed to provide reasonable accommodations after you disclosed your mental health needs. Keep detailed records of any conversations with HR or your supervisor about your condition. The appeals process exists for a reason, so don't be discouraged if you get an initial denial. Many mental health-related claims are approved on appeal once all the documentation is properly reviewed.