NYS Department of Labor appeal letter template - need help writing unemployment appeal
Got denied for unemployment benefits last week and I need to write an appeal letter to NYS Department of Labor. The denial notice says I quit voluntarily but that's not what happened - my boss cut my hours to 8 hours per week and told me to find another job. I have 30 days to appeal but I've never written one of these before. Does anyone have tips on what to include in the appeal letter? I'm worried about messing this up and losing my chance.
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ThunderBolt7
Your appeal letter needs to be very specific about why the denial was wrong. Include: 1) Your name and claim number at the top, 2) State clearly that you're appealing the disqualification, 3) Explain that you didn't quit voluntarily - constructive dismissal (drastically reduced hours) can qualify as involuntary separation, 4) Include any documentation like text messages, emails, or witnesses who can verify what your boss said about finding another job. Mail it certified mail to the address on your denial notice.
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Zoe Papadakis
•Thank you! I do have a text from my supervisor saying the hours weren't going to increase. Should I include a copy of that with the letter?
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Jamal Edwards
Keep it factual and don't get emotional in the letter. I won the appeal for my constructive dismissal case last year. Focus on the substantial change in working conditions (going from full-time to 8 hours is definitely substantial). NYS Department of Labor considers it involuntary separation when employers make working conditions so unreasonable that a reasonable person would have to quit.
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Mei Chen
•How long did your appeal hearing take? I'm scared of having to talk to a judge or whatever.
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Liam O'Sullivan
I had to deal with this exact situation trying to reach NYS Department of Labor about my appeal status. After weeks of busy signals and dropped calls, I found claimyr.com - they actually got me through to a real person at NYS Department of Labor in like 20 minutes. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your appeal process.
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Amara Okonkwo
•That actually sounds helpful, I've been trying to call for days about my own appeal
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Giovanni Marino
The appeal process is such a nightmare honestly. They make it so complicated on purpose to discourage people from fighting wrongful denials. But stick with it! Document everything and don't let them intimidate you.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
wait so if your boss cuts your hours you can still get unemployment?? I thought you had to be fired or laid off
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ThunderBolt7
•Yes, if the hour reduction is substantial enough it can qualify as constructive dismissal. Generally needs to be a significant decrease that would force a reasonable person to quit.
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Ethan Moore
Make sure to submit your appeal within the 30-day deadline - that's crucial! Also request a hearing if you want to present your case in person. In your letter, be very clear about the timeline of events leading up to your "quit" - when did the hour reduction happen, what exactly did your boss say, and how long were you expected to work just 8 hours per week. The key is showing that no reasonable person could continue working under those conditions. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
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