Can I get unemployment if I get fired from my job in New York?
I'm really stressed out right now because my manager has been giving me a hard time lately and I'm worried I might get fired. If that happens, would I still be able to collect unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor? I've been working at this retail job for about 8 months and this is my first real job so I don't know how any of this works. My hours have been cut recently and my boss keeps saying I'm not meeting sales targets even though I'm trying my best. Would getting fired disqualify me from getting UI benefits? I really need to know because I can't afford to be without income.
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CaptainAwesome
It depends on the reason for termination. NYS Department of Labor will approve your claim if you were fired for reasons beyond your control, like poor performance despite good faith effort, company downsizing, or lack of work. However, if you're fired for misconduct - like stealing, fighting, or willful violation of company policy - you'll likely be disqualified. The fact that you're trying your best to meet targets would work in your favor. When you file your claim, be honest about the circumstances and let NYS Department of Labor make the determination.
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Amara Okafor
•Thank you! That makes me feel a bit better. So even if I can't hit the sales numbers they want, as long as I'm actually trying that should be okay?
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Yuki Tanaka
Document everything! Keep records of your work performance, any training you received, and communication with your supervisor. If you do get fired, this documentation will help your case during the adjudication process. NYS Department of Labor will investigate the circumstances, and having proof that you were making a good faith effort to do your job properly can make the difference between approval and denial.
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Amara Okafor
•Good point about documentation. I should probably start keeping track of everything just in case.
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Esmeralda Gómez
yeah i got fired from my last job for attendance issues and they denied my claim initially but i appealed it and won because i had medical documentation for my absences. the key is being honest when you file and having evidence to back up your side of the story
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Klaus Schmidt
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when my claim was under review after being terminated. Spent weeks trying to call them with no luck. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent who explained exactly what documentation I needed for my case. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me understand the process better and get my claim approved.
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Amara Okafor
•Thanks for the tip! I'll check that out if I end up needing to file a claim.
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Aisha Patel
The unemployment system is so confusing!! I got fired from my job last year and it took forever to figure out if I was eligible or not. They make you jump through so many hoops and the website is impossible to navigate. But yeah, generally speaking if you get fired for performance issues rather than misconduct you should be able to get benefits.
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