Can I get NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits if I was terminated from my job?

You can definitely apply for unemployment benefits even if you were terminated! The NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you were fired for misconduct or just poor performance. Performance issues usually don't disqualify you unless they involved willful misconduct. You should file your claim right away - you can do it online at my.ny.gov. The worst they can do is deny it, but based on what you're describing, you have a good chance of getting approved.

You can still get unemployment even if you were terminated, but it depends on the reason. If you were fired for misconduct or violating company policy, NYS Department of Labor might deny your claim. But if it was for performance issues or inability to do the job (not willful misconduct), you should be eligible. When you file your claim, be honest about the circumstances but focus on your side of the story.

I went through something similar last year. Got fired for 'attendance issues' but it was really because I had COVID and my employer didn't want to deal with it. Filed for unemployment anyway and got approved after about 3 weeks. The key is being honest about why you were terminated but also explaining your side of the story. NYS Department of Labor will investigate and make a determination. Don't assume you're disqualified just because you were fired!

I got fired from my retail job last year for being late too many times and still got approved for unemployment. The key is that your employer has to prove it was willful misconduct. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct. File your claim ASAP though - you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! i got fired from my retail job for being late too many times and i'm scared to even apply because what if they make me pay back the money later?? has anyone had that happen?

I had a nightmare trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when my claim got stuck in adjudication after I was terminated. Spent hours on hold, kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person at the unemployment office. They have this video demo that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration and I got my claim sorted out within days instead of weeks.

File ASAP regardless of the reason you were terminated. The longer you wait, the more money you're potentially losing. Worst case scenario they deny your claim and you can appeal. I've seen people get approved for unemployment after being fired for much more serious things than performance issues.

Just be prepared that your employer might contest your claim. When they do, NYS Department of Labor will do an adjudication process where they review both sides. If you're having trouble getting through to clarify anything about your claim status, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful than trying to call myself.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN!!! I was fired for supposedly violating safety rules but it was really because I complained about working conditions. Filed my claim months ago and STILL fighting it. NYS Department of Labor seems to side with employers most of the time.

Same thing happened to my brother - fired for 'poor performance' but really they just wanted to get rid of him before his probation period ended. He got unemployment no problem. Just be honest on your application and let NYS Department of Labor sort it out.

yeah i got fired and got unemployment no problem just file online and see what happens worst they can do is say no