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How to request a hearing for ny unemployment after being denied for the 3rd time?

My claim got rejected for the third time in September. I was let go from my position at a marketing firm back in May due to 'company restructuring' but they're claiming I quit voluntarily. I've sent them my termination letter twice and even had my former supervisor write a statement confirming I was laid off. First time they denied me in June saying insufficient documents, second time in August they said I didn't meet eligibility criteria, and now they're still saying I voluntarily quit. I've been trying to call them for 2 weeks straight but can never get through - either busy signals or disconnects after being on hold for 1-2 hours. I'm running out of savings and need to request a hearing but their website is so confusing. Has anyone successfully requested a hearing and actually won their case? What forms do I need to fill out? The rejection letter mentions something about requesting a hearing within 30 days but doesn't explain HOW to actually do it.

James Maki

You need to fill out form TA-520, it's the unemployment insurance hearing request. You can find it on the ny website. Make sure to attach all ur documentation - the termination letter, your supervisors statement, everything. Send it certified mail so u have proof they got it, dont trust the online system for something this important. You only have 30 days from the denial date so hurry!

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Kayla Morgan

Thank you so much! Do you know if there's a specific address I should mail it to? The denial letter had like 3 different addresses.

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1M

James Maki

Send it to the address thats listed on your most recent determination notice (the 3rd denial letter). If ur still not sure call them...oh wait lol 🤣 Maybe try the appeals board directly? 518-402-0205

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Kayla Morgan

Called that number and got voicemail 🙄 Thanks for trying though.

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Jasmine Hancock

The specific address depends on which office issued ur determination. Check the letterhead of your denial notice, should say which office it came from at the top. Then google that specific appeals address.

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Cole Roush

I was in the same boat two months ago! My company claimed "performance issues" but I was really laid off in a cost-cutting move. I tried calling for WEEKS with no luck until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They kept calling on my behalf and when they finally got through, they connected the agent directly to my phone. Talking to a live person made all the difference - got my hearing scheduled the same day and the agent even helped me understand exactly what documents I needed. Best money I ever spent to get my benefits approved. Here's a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Scarlett Forster

hold up... is this actually real? sounds too good to be true. the unemployment system is basically DESIGNED to be impossible to navigate

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Cole Roush

I was skeptical too but I was desperate after 3 weeks of trying. It worked exactly as advertised - they kept dialing and got through when I couldn't. Saved me hours of being on hold. My hearing got scheduled and I won my appeal two weeks later.

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Arnav Bengali

lol another miracle solution that probably doesnt work. these posts are everywhere 🙄

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Sayid Hassan

Nah it's actually legit. My roommate used it last month after trying to get through for weeks. They have good reviews online if you check.

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Rachel Tao

wait so you pay someone to call unemployment for you? how does that even work with all the identity verification stuff?

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Cole Roush

They just do the calling part and stay on hold. When an actual agent picks up, they connect you directly to your phone. Then you talk to the agent yourself. Saved me from losing my mind hitting redial for 3 weeks straight.

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Derek Olson

I won my hearing after 2 denials! Biggest tips: 1) document EVERYTHING 2) be super organized at the hearing 3) speak clearly and factually don't get emotional 4) have your former boss testify if possible. The judge was actually pretty fair once I got to the hearing. The system is designed to make people give up before they get there.

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Kayla Morgan

That gives me hope! Did you have a lawyer or represent yourself?

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Derek Olson

I represented myself. As long as you have clear documentation you should be ok. Just stay calm and don't let them rattle you.

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Danielle Mays

I requested a hearing by faxing in my request along with all my evidence to the fax number on my determination letter. They called me 3 weeks later to schedule it. The hearing itself was over the phone and lasted about 30 minutes. Make sure you have ALL your documents ready and organized before the hearing.

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Roger Romero

the whole system is rigged to make ppl give up. they ALWAYS deny the first time hoping you'll just go away. my husband had to request a hearing twice before he got approved. keep fighting!!! don't let them win!!!

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Anna Kerber

THIS!!! 💯 They count on people giving up. The stats show like 60% of people who get denied never appeal.

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Niko Ramsey

Yep happened to me too. First denial was some BS about "insufficient documentation" when I sent everything they asked for. Second time they just approved it with the exact same docs lol. It's all about persistence.

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Seraphina Delan

Okay so here's everything you need to know about the NY unemployment hearing process (I've been through it twice and won both times): First, you need form TA-520 for the hearing request. Fill it out completely and attach ALL evidence supporting your case. You need to clearly explain why the determination is wrong. Second, send copies (NOT originals) of: termination notice, employment contract, any communications about your termination, witness statements, performance reviews, etc. Basically anything that proves you were laid off, not quit. Third, keep detailed records of all your communications with NYSDOL. Times, dates, names of representatives if possible. Fourth, prepare a clear timeline of events to present at your hearing. The hearing itself will likely be by phone. Be professional, stick to facts, don't interrupt the judge. Answer questions directly without rambling. If regular calling isn't working, try claimyr.com - they can get through the phone system and connect you to an agent who can help with the hearing request. I wasted weeks trying to call before using their service. After your hearing, you'll get a decision by mail in 2-3 weeks. If you win, they'll pay all back benefits. If you lose, you can appeal to the Board. Hope this helps! The system is frustrating but you can win.

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Kayla Morgan

This is amazing info, thank you! For the TA-520 form, should I check the box for 'voluntary quit' even though I'm arguing I didn't quit?

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Seraphina Delan

No, you'd check the box for 'termination/discharge' since that's what actually happened. In the explanation section, clearly state you were laid off due to restructuring and did NOT quit voluntarily.

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Jabari-Jo

How long did your hearing take from request to actual hearing date? Trying to figure out my timeline.

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Seraphina Delan

First time was about 6 weeks, second time was faster - around 3 weeks. It varies depending on their backlog.

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Kristin Frank

Whats the point of even trying? Im on my 4th denial and im pretty sure the system is programmed to just auto-reject claims. They dont even read the documents half the time.

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Micah Trail

Don't give up! My sister got approved after her 5th try. The trick is getting to an actual human at the unemployment office who can look at your case.

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Nia Watson

Sometimes it depends which judge u get for the hearing. Some are fair, others are basically there to deny as many claims as possible. It's like rolling dice 🎲

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Alberto Souchard

I just went through this whole nightmare. Here's what worked for me - I contacted my state senator's office and they have a staff person who specifically helps with unemployment issues. They made one call and suddenly my case started moving forward. Try that angle!

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Katherine Shultz

This is the best advice! Local representatives can cut through red tape like nothing else. Their offices deal with these issues all day.

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Kayla Morgan

That's a great idea! Do you just call their main office number?

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Alberto Souchard

Yep! Just call and say you need help with an unemployment issue. They usually have a form for you to fill out with all the details of your case.

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Marcus Marsh

did they tell you anything about why they think you quit? sometimes they have wrong info in their system from your employer. my employer told them i quit when i was actually fired and i had to correct that at the hearing.

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Kayla Morgan

The determination letter just says 'claimant voluntarily left employment without good cause' but doesn't give specifics. I'm guessing my employer is claiming I resigned when they actually gave me a layoff notice.

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Marcus Marsh

yep thats what happened to me. bring the termination letter to the hearing, that should be enough proof. if ur boss is cool maybe ask them to write a statement clarifying you were laid off.

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Hailey O'Leary

At your hearing, make sure you clearly address the voluntary quit allegation. Start with "I did not quit. I was laid off due to company restructuring on [date]." Then present evidence. Don't get sidetracked by other issues.

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Cedric Chung

check your notice - there should be a hearing request form you can tear off and mail in. if not, you can download the form online. i requested my hearing online through my unemployment account but idk if thats still an option with the new system they implemented.

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Talia Klein

The online request option is super buggy. I tried 3 times and it kept giving errors. Ended up faxing it in.

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Maxwell St. Laurent

Fun fact: ny unemployment system is still running on computer systems from the 1980s. My friend works in their IT department and says they literally can't handle the volume of claims. That's why everything is so slow and broken. Not an excuse, just explaining why its such a mess.

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PaulineW

I believe it. Last time I called the agent had to "wait for the system to load" for like 10 minutes just to look up my basic info 🤦‍♀️

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Annabel Kimball

they spent millions to "upgrade" it during covid and somehow made it WORSE lol

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Chris Elmeda

I think your supervisor's statement is key here. Make sure it clearly states you were laid off and did not quit. At the hearing, they'll probably ask why your employer is claiming otherwise.

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Jean Claude

Call ur local legal aid! Most counties have free legal services that help with unemployment hearings. They can even represent you at no cost if you qualify financially. Google "[your county] legal aid unemployment" and something should come up.

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Charity Cohan

THIS!! I had legal aid help me and it made a huge difference. The lawyer knew exactly what to say and what evidence was most important.

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25d