Can I quit my job due to depression and collect unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?

You might qualify for unemployment if you can prove you had "good cause" for quitting. Mental health can be considered good cause in New York, but you'll need solid documentation. You'll need medical records from your therapist or psychiatrist showing your condition and how work was affecting it. The NYS Department of Labor will review your case during adjudication to determine if your reason meets their criteria for voluntary quit with good cause.

I went through this exact situation two years ago. Had to quit my retail job because of panic attacks and depression. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim but it took almost 6 weeks of adjudication. They wanted a detailed letter from my psychiatrist explaining my diagnosis and specifically how my job was making it worse. Also had to show I tried to work with my employer first - like requesting accommodations or medical leave.

be careful though because quitting automatically disqualifies you unless you can prove good cause. if nys department of labor decides your reason wasnt good enough youll be stuck without benefits. maybe try taking fmla first or asking for reasonable accommodations?

The unemployment system is so frustrating when it comes to mental health claims. I had a friend who got denied even with doctor's notes because NYS Department of Labor said she didn't exhaust all options with her employer first. But I've also seen people get approved. It really depends on how strong your case is and whether you can show you had no other choice but to quit.

If you do decide to quit, make sure you file your unemployment claim immediately and be prepared for a lengthy adjudication process. The NYS Department of Labor will want to interview both you and your former employer. Having a paper trail helps - emails to HR about your concerns, documentation of how work was affecting your health, any attempts to get help or accommodations. Also keep all your medical appointments and treatment records organized.

I had such a hard time getting through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor when my claim was stuck in adjudication for mental health reasons. Calling their regular number was impossible - always busy or would disconnect after hours on hold. Someone on here recommended trying Claimyr (claimyr.com) to help get through to an actual agent. They have this system that calls for you and connects you when they reach someone. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me get answers about my claim status when I couldn't reach anyone myself.

just wanted to say hang in there - mental health is real health and you shouldnt have to choose between your wellbeing and paying bills. the system makes it way too hard but people do get approved for these situations

I'm going through something similar right now and it's so overwhelming. One thing my therapist mentioned is that New York recognizes "constructive discharge" - basically when working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel forced to quit. If your workplace is genuinely toxic and making your depression worse, that could strengthen your case. Document everything - keep a journal of incidents, save any emails or messages that show the toxic environment, and get your therapist to specifically note how your workplace is impacting your mental health. The NYS Department of Labor looks at the whole picture, not just the medical condition itself. Also consider reaching out to a mental health advocacy organization - they sometimes have resources or can point you toward legal aid that specializes in these cases.

I work in HR and have dealt with several cases like this. For constructive discharge claims, the NYS Department of Labor will look for a pattern of behavior that would make any reasonable person quit - not just isolated incidents. Start documenting everything now, but also try to reconstruct past events with as much detail as possible (dates, witnesses, what was said/done). Keep copies of any written communications. The Mental Health Association of New York State (mhanys.org) has resources and might be able to connect you with local advocacy groups. Also, the New York State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can help you find attorneys who specialize in employment law and mental health discrimination. Having legal advice before you quit could be really valuable since unemployment benefits aren't guaranteed even with good documentation.