NY unemployment denied - employer falsely claimed I quit voluntarily
I've been trying to get NY unemployment since August 2025 after being terminated in July. When I finally got through to someone, they told me my employer claimed I 'voluntarily quit' - which is absolutely NOT true! I was terminated on their terms. Now my claim is denied and I'm stuck in this nightmare. How am I supposed to prove to NYSDOL that I didn't quit when it's their word against mine? Has anyone successfully fought this kind of situation? I have no termination letter, just a final paycheck. I'm really desperate as I've gone 2+ months with no income now.
22 comments
Savannah Glover
they pulled that same crap with me last year. ur gonna need to appeal and gather whatever evidence u have. emails, texts, anything showing u didnt just up and quit. did u get any severance? that would help prove u were fired
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•No severance at all. I have some texts with coworkers where I mentioned being let go, but nothing directly from management. I'm so stressed about this!
0 coins
Felix Grigori
This happens all the time, unfortunately. Employers often claim "voluntary quit" to avoid their unemployment insurance rates going up. Here's what you need to do: 1. File an appeal immediately (you only have 30 days from the determination) 2. Collect any evidence: final pay stub, text messages, emails, or witnesses who know you were terminated 3. Write down a detailed timeline of events leading to your termination 4. If you have performance reviews or any documentation showing your work history, gather those too During the appeal hearing, calmly explain your side. The burden of proof is actually on the employer to prove you quit voluntarily. Many employers don't show up for these hearings, which usually means you win by default.
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•Thank you for this detailed response! I already filed the appeal but I'm still waiting for a hearing date. Do you know how long that usually takes? My savings are almost gone and I'm getting really worried.
0 coins
Felix Grigori
•Appeal hearings are currently scheduled about 3-4 weeks out in NY. If you win your appeal, you'll get backpay for all eligible weeks. In the meantime, make sure you continue certifying weekly even though you're not receiving benefits yet.
0 coins
Felicity Bud
I went thru the EXACT same thing in January!!!! My boss fired me then told unemployment I quit! I was SO MAD I couldn't believe it!
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•Did you win your appeal? What kind of evidence did you provide?
0 coins
Felicity Bud
•Yeah I won! I had texts where my boss said "don't come in tomorrow we're letting you go" which proved I didn't quit. The hearing was over the phone and only took like 20 minutes.
0 coins
Max Reyes
I specialize in helping people with NYSDOL issues. Some additional advice: - If you received any communication about your job ending (even verbal), document who said what and when - Request your personnel file from your former employer (NY law allows this) - If there were witnesses to your termination, get their statements in writing - Make a list of your supervisor's contact information and any HR personnel involved The hearing officer will look for specific evidence about the final incident that led to separation. Be very clear about what happened on your last day - who said what, who was present, etc. This specificity carries a lot of weight.
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•I never thought about requesting my personnel file - that's a great idea. There's probably documentation in there about the whole thing. Thank you!
0 coins
Mikayla Davison
This is common. Employers ALWAYS claim voluntary quit to save money. The system is rigged against workers!!!! I've been fighting with DOL for MONTHS and still can't get what I'm owed. The whole thing is a SCAM.
0 coins
Savannah Glover
•not helpful dude, they need actual advice not just complaining
0 coins
Adrian Connor
I went through this exact situation last year and finally won my appeal. The most frustrating part was trying to get someone on the phone at NYSDOL to explain the process. I spent DAYS calling that impossible phone number. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Once I actually talked to someone, they explained exactly what evidence I needed for my appeal. Made a huge difference having that guidance before my hearing.
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•I've never heard of that service before. Did it cost a lot? I'm already so broke I can barely pay rent.
0 coins
Adrian Connor
•It did cost something, but for me it was worth it because I was getting nowhere on my own. My appeal was for about $6,800 in backpay, so the connection fee seemed reasonable to finally get answers. You could try the regular phone lines first, but if you can't get through, it's an option.
0 coins
Aisha Jackson
One thing nobody's mentioned - did you receive any warning or disciplinary actions before being terminated? If not, that actually helps your case. Most companies have a progressive discipline policy, and if they didn't follow it, that suggests the termination might have been improper. Also, during your hearing, don't get emotional (easier said than done, I know). Stick to facts and timeline. The ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) appreciates concise, factual testimony. And make sure to review the employer handbook if you have it - sometimes there's language in there about termination procedures that the employer didn't follow, which can help your case.
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•No, I didn't receive any warnings! They just called me in one day and said they were letting me go due to "restructuring" - at least that's what they called it. I should definitely mention that in the hearing. Thank you for the tip about staying calm too - I tend to get worked up when talking about this.
0 coins
Savannah Glover
wait did they give u a reason when they fired u? if they said restructuring thats like a layoff and def not a voluntary quit! make sure u tell the judge that exact word they used
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•Yes! They specifically said "restructuring" in the meeting. I'm writing all this down now so I don't forget anything important during the hearing.
0 coins
Felicity Bud
Good luck with everything! The waiting is the WORST part but try to stay positive! My backpay came through like 3 days after I won my hearing and it was such a relief!!!!
0 coins
Felix Grigori
One more bit of advice - in your appeal hearing, if the employer mentions "restructuring" as the reason for separation, that's actually very helpful for your case. Restructuring is considered a lack of work situation, which is a qualifying reason for unemployment benefits. Make sure to point out the contradiction between what they told you (restructuring) and what they told NYSDOL (voluntary quit). This kind of inconsistency often sways appeal decisions in the claimant's favor.
0 coins
Kevin Bell
•Thank you so much, everyone. I feel much more prepared for my hearing now. I'll update this thread after my appeal to let you know how it goes.
0 coins