Can I get NYS Department of Labor unemployment if I quit my job for health reasons?

Yes, you can potentially qualify for unemployment benefits if you quit for health reasons, but you'll need proper documentation. NYS Department of Labor considers voluntary separation for 'compelling personal reasons' which includes health issues that make continuing work unreasonable. You'll need medical documentation from your doctor stating that your health condition prevents you from continuing in that work environment.

I went through this exact situation last year. You need a detailed letter from your doctor explaining how your work environment is affecting your health and why you can't continue working there. Don't just quit - file your unemployment claim right away and be prepared for an adjudication process. They'll review your case and the medical evidence.

wait so you can quit and still get unemployment?? i thought if you quit you automatically get denied

I had such a hard time getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I was dealing with my health-related quit situation. Spent weeks trying to call and explain my case. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me time and stress dealing with the phone system.

Make sure you also document any attempts you made to resolve the health issue at work first. Like did you ask for a transfer to a different area or request accommodations? NYS Department of Labor wants to see that quitting was truly your last option.

good luck with this whole process - the unemployment system is such a nightmare to deal with especially when you're already stressed about health issues

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this health situation at work. From what I've read about NYS unemployment law, you should also keep a detailed log of your symptoms and how they relate to your work environment. Document dates when your asthma flares up at work, any incidents with chemical exposure, and your doctor visits. This creates a timeline that shows the connection between your workplace and your health issues. Also, if your company has an HR department, consider filing a formal complaint about the unsafe working conditions - this could strengthen your case that you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. The more documentation you have showing that your health deteriorated specifically due to work conditions, the stronger your unemployment claim will be.