Can I get NY unemployment if I quit my job due to extreme stress and health issues?

You might actually qualify! NY unemployment does allow benefits if you quit with "good cause," and health reasons can count. You'll need documentation from your doctor showing that the job was causing medical issues. Make sure you have that migraine diagnosis and recommendation to leave the position documented officially. When you apply, be very clear that you resigned due to medical necessity, not just because you were unhappy. The key is proving you had no reasonable alternative except to quit.

I was in almost the exact same situation in early 2025 - quit after 10 years because of severe anxiety from an impossible workload. My claim was initially DENIED but I appealed and won. The key was having my therapist and doctor both write letters specifically stating that continuing at that job would cause serious harm to my health. I tried for weeks to reach someone at NYSDOL to discuss my appeal and couldn't get through. After wasting hours on hold, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in under 20 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent explained exactly what medical documentation I needed for my appeal. Having that conversation literally saved my claim.

quitting means no benefits periodt. thats how it works. they dont care about your reasons.

I've heard different things about this. My cousin quit because of anxiety and got approved but my neighbor quit because her boss was harassing her and got denied. Good luck figuring it out!

The specific provision you want to reference is in the NY Unemployment Insurance Law, which states that leaving employment due to a physician-documented medical condition that makes continued work detrimental to your health can constitute good cause for separation. Here's what you need to do: 1. Get a detailed letter from your doctor stating that your work conditions were causing your migraines and other health issues 2. Document the increased workload (if possible with emails, performance reviews, etc.) 3. When you file, select "quit with good cause" not just "quit" 4. In the explanation section, be specific about the health impact and medical advice 5. If denied initially (which happens often in these cases), immediately file an appeal The key legal standard is whether a "reasonable person" would have felt it necessary to leave the position for health preservation. Your 15-year tenure will actually help demonstrate you didn't leave impulsively.

I'm actually going through something similar right now! I had to leave my job in March because of panic attacks. My claim got denied at first and now I'm totally stressing about the appeal hearing next week. My doctor said she'd write a letter but hasn't sent it yet and now I'm freaking out that I won't have it in time. Did anyone here actually WIN their appeal based on health reasons????? This whole system is making my anxiety worse!!!!

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST WORKERS!!! They force us into impossible situations then deny benefits when we can't take it anymore. I quit my warehouse job after they doubled my quota and refused to fix the AC in summer. My first claim? DENIED. My appeal? DENIED. The hearing officer literally said "you should have found another job before quitting" - HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO JOB HUNT WHEN IM WORKING 60 HOURS A WEEK AND ABOUT TO COLLAPSE??!!! Anyone saying you'll definitely get approved is LYING. They deny almost everyone who quits, even with documentation. System is BROKEN.

One thing no one's mentioned yet: in New York, if you're denied benefits, you still have the right to request a hearing within 30 days of the determination notice. At this hearing, you can present all your medical evidence and explain the situation to an administrative law judge. Many initial denials get overturned at this stage, especially with proper documentation. Also, while you're going through this process, keep detailed notes of all your job search activities. You'll need to demonstrate that you're looking for work that won't cause the same health issues.

my sister works at unemployment and says medical reasons for quitting are one of the few that actually get approved a lot. but you need PROOF not just saying your stressed.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've scheduled an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to get an official letter documenting how my work conditions affected my health. I'm going to apply for unemployment this week and make sure to select "quit with good cause" like several of you suggested. I'll update this thread once I hear anything about my claim. Fingers crossed!

I went through this exact situation last year and was approved! The key is getting your doctor to write a letter that specifically states your work environment was causing medical issues that required you to leave for your health. Don't just get visit notes - ask for a formal letter that says something like "I advised [your name] to leave their position due to work-related stress causing severe migraines and health deterioration." Also, when you file your claim, be very detailed in the explanation section about how you tried to address the workload issues before quitting. The fact that you stayed 15 years shows you weren't just looking for an excuse to leave. Document everything - the tripled workload, any communications with management about the issues, your doctor visits, etc. The initial determination might still deny you (they often do for resignations), but don't give up. File the appeal immediately if that happens. I know several people who were denied initially but won on appeal with proper medical documentation.

I'm so sorry you went through this - the stress of an impossible workload affecting your health is no joke. I wanted to add that when you get your doctor's letter, make sure it includes specific language about how continuing in that work environment would be "detrimental to your health" or pose a "serious risk" to your wellbeing. The unemployment reviewers look for this kind of medical language. Also, since you mentioned your boss treated you terribly after sick days, if you have any documentation of that hostile behavior (emails, texts, witness statements), it could help support your case. NY unemployment considers a "constructive discharge" situation where working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to resign. One more tip: when you apply online, there's often a character limit in the explanation boxes. Write out your full explanation in a Word document first, then copy/paste the most important parts into the application. You can always provide the full details later if they request more information. Rooting for you - 15 years of loyalty to a company that destroyed your health deserves some support while you recover and find something better!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation - it sounds incredibly stressful on top of everything you've already been through. Just wanted to add a few practical tips from someone who successfully navigated this process: When you meet with your doctor tomorrow, bring a timeline of your health issues and how they correlate with work stress. This helps them write a more detailed letter. Also ask them to include any recommendations they made about reducing stress or changing your work situation - even if it was just "try to find ways to manage your workload better." For the unemployment application itself, I'd recommend calling their customer service line BEFORE you submit online to ask specific questions about how to categorize your claim. I know the wait times are terrible, but getting guidance upfront can prevent delays later. One thing that really helped my case was documenting not just the increased workload, but the timeline of when it happened. If you can show that your health problems started or worsened after specific changes at work (like when your responsibilities tripled), that creates a clearer cause-and-effect relationship. Also, start your job search documentation immediately, even while your claim is being processed. Apply for positions that explicitly mention work-life balance, reasonable hours, or supportive work environments. This shows you're being thoughtful about finding sustainable employment. Hoping everything works out for you - 15 years of dedication deserves better treatment than what you received!

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago - quit after 12 years due to severe anxiety and panic attacks caused by an unmanageable workload. My initial claim was denied, but I won my appeal! The absolute key was having my doctor write a letter that specifically stated "I advised [my name] to resign from her position as continuing in that work environment would pose a serious risk to her mental and physical health." Generic visit notes weren't enough - they needed that explicit medical recommendation to leave. I also gathered every email I could find where I had raised concerns about workload or requested help. Even though management ignored most of them, it showed I had tried to address the situation before resigning. Your 15 years there actually works in your favor - it proves you weren't just looking for an easy way out. One thing that really helped during my appeal hearing was being able to explain the specific timeline: when my workload increased, when my health symptoms started, when I sought medical care, and when my doctor advised me to leave. Having that clear cause-and-effect story made all the difference. Don't get discouraged if you're initially denied - that's unfortunately common for resignation cases. But with proper medical documentation and evidence that you tried to address the situation, you have a solid chance on appeal. The system is frustrating, but it can work when you have the right documentation. Good luck!

I'm going through a very similar situation right now - had to leave my job of 8 years last month due to chronic migraines and anxiety from an overwhelming workload. Just wanted to add a few things that might help based on what I've learned so far: When you get your doctor's letter, ask them to be specific about the work-related triggers if possible. My neurologist wrote that "the patient's migraines significantly worsened due to workplace stress factors including excessive workload and lack of management support." That specific language about workplace triggers seemed important when I spoke to the unemployment office. Also, if you have any performance reviews or emails that show you were meeting expectations despite the impossible workload, save those too. It demonstrates that the issue wasn't your job performance but rather unreasonable working conditions. One more thing - I've been documenting my job search very carefully, focusing on positions with better work-life balance and reasonable expectations. The unemployment office wants to see that you're looking for sustainable work, not just avoiding employment. The whole process is stressful (which doesn't help with the health issues!), but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that documentation really does make a difference. Wishing you the best with your claim!

I'm so sorry you're going through this situation - the physical and mental toll of an unsustainable workload is real and serious. Based on what you've described, you definitely have a strong case for unemployment benefits in New York. The fact that you have medical documentation linking your migraines directly to work stress is huge. When you see your doctor, make sure they write a letter that explicitly states the work environment was causing your health problems and that leaving was medically necessary. Don't just rely on visit notes - you need that formal recommendation. Your 15-year tenure actually works strongly in your favor here. It shows you weren't just looking for an excuse to leave, but that the conditions became genuinely unbearable over time. Document everything you can about the workload increases and any communications with management about the issues. Be prepared for a possible initial denial - it's unfortunately common for resignation cases. But don't let that discourage you. Many people win on appeal when they have proper medical documentation and can show they tried to address the situation before leaving. When you file, make sure to select "quit with good cause" and be very detailed about the health impacts and medical necessity. The key legal standard is whether a reasonable person would have felt compelled to leave for health preservation. You've got this - stay strong and don't give up if you hit any roadblocks in the process!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - it sounds like an incredibly difficult situation that no one should have to endure. Based on what you've described, you definitely have grounds for a strong unemployment claim in New York. The combination of your doctor linking the migraines directly to work stress, your 15-year tenure showing you weren't just looking to leave, and the documented pattern of increased workload creates a compelling case for "good cause" resignation. Make sure when you get that doctor's letter tomorrow that they specifically state the work environment was detrimental to your health and that leaving was medically advisable. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here: if possible, try to get your doctor to include any specific accommodations they might have recommended that your employer failed to provide. For example, if they suggested reduced hours, modified duties, or stress management support that your workplace couldn't or wouldn't offer, that strengthens your argument that resignation was your only viable option. Also keep in mind that even if you face an initial denial, the appeals process in NY actually works quite well for legitimate medical resignation cases when you have proper documentation. The hearing officers at the appeal level tend to be more thorough in reviewing the evidence. Wishing you the best of luck with your claim - you deserve support during this transition to healthier employment!

I'm really glad to see so many people sharing helpful experiences here! As someone who works in HR, I wanted to add that your situation sounds like a textbook case for "constructive dismissal" - where working conditions become so unreasonable that resignation becomes the only viable option. The fact that you documented your concerns with management throughout the year and they failed to address a clearly unsustainable workload will be very important for your case. When you get your doctor's letter, also ask if they can reference the concept of "work-related stress injury" - this is recognized terminology that unemployment reviewers are familiar with. One practical tip: when you file your claim, take screenshots of every page of your application before submitting. If there are any technical issues or if you need to reference what you submitted later, having those screenshots can be incredibly helpful. Also, start keeping a detailed log of your job search activities immediately - date, company, position, how you applied. Even if your claim takes weeks to process, having comprehensive job search documentation from day one shows you're taking the work search requirement seriously. Your health comes first, and after 15 years of loyalty, you deserve support during this recovery period. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for prioritizing your wellbeing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what you've described sounds absolutely horrible and no one should have to endure that kind of treatment, especially after 15 years of dedication. From everything I've read here, it really sounds like you have a strong case for unemployment benefits. The fact that your doctor directly linked your migraines to work stress is huge, and your long tenure shows this wasn't a rash decision. New York does recognize "good cause" resignations for health reasons, so don't let anyone tell you that quitting automatically disqualifies you. A few things that might help based on what others have shared: - Get that formal letter from your doctor using specific language about the work environment being "detrimental to your health" - Gather all those emails where you raised concerns about the workload - they show you tried to fix things before leaving - When you apply, make sure to select "quit with good cause" not just "quit" - Document everything chronologically to show the clear progression from increased workload to health problems Even if you get an initial denial (which unfortunately happens a lot with resignation cases), don't give up! The appeals process seems to work much better when you have proper medical documentation. You did the right thing by prioritizing your health. Wishing you all the best with your claim!