NYS Department of Labor claim denied - left job to be closer to home, what type of unemployment is this?
So I'm completely confused about my unemployment claim denial. I left my job in Buffalo to move back to Rochester to be closer to my elderly parents who need help. When I applied for benefits, NYS Department of Labor denied my claim saying I 'voluntarily quit without good cause.' But isn't moving to be closer to family a valid reason? The denial letter mentioned something about different types of unemployment but didn't explain what category my situation falls under. I've been out of work for 6 weeks now and really need these benefits. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of situation? What exactly is this type of unemployment called when you leave to be closer to home?
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Monique Byrd
This would be classified as voluntary unemployment since you made the decision to leave your job. Unfortunately, NYS Department of Labor has very strict guidelines about 'good cause' for quitting. Moving to be closer to family typically doesn't meet their criteria unless there's a compelling circumstance like being the primary caregiver for someone with documented medical needs. You'll need to file an appeal and provide evidence that your move was necessary, not just convenient.
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Alejandro Castro
•My dad has dementia and my mom can't handle everything alone anymore. Would that count as compelling circumstances? I have medical records showing his diagnosis.
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Jackie Martinez
I went through something similar last year when I moved from Long Island to Albany. NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim but I appealed with documentation from my mother's doctor showing she needed daily care assistance. It took 8 weeks but they eventually approved my benefits retroactively. The key is proving it wasn't just a lifestyle choice but an actual necessity.
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Alejandro Castro
•That gives me hope! Did you have to go to a hearing or was the appeal just paperwork?
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Jackie Martinez
•Just paperwork for me, but make sure you include everything - medical records, statements from doctors, even a letter explaining the care situation in detail.
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Lia Quinn
The technical term you're looking for is 'voluntary unemployment' versus 'involuntary unemployment.' When you quit (even for good reasons), it's voluntary. When you're laid off or fired without cause, it's involuntary. NYS Department of Labor generally only approves benefits for involuntary unemployment unless you can prove your quit was for 'good cause' under their specific definitions. Family caregiving CAN qualify but you need documentation.
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Haley Stokes
•This is so confusing! Why do they make it so complicated when people are just trying to help their families?
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Asher Levin
ugh the whole system is broken!! they denied my claim too when i had to quit to take care of my sick mom and it took forever to get through to anyone at NYS Department of Labor to even explain the appeal process. i was calling for weeks!
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Serene Snow
•If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor by phone, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Made it so much easier to get my appeal questions answered instead of sitting on hold for hours.
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Issac Nightingale
Wait, so there are different categories of unemployment? I thought unemployment was just unemployment. This whole time I've been wondering why some people get approved right away and others don't.
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Monique Byrd
•Yes, there are different types. Involuntary (laid off, fired without cause) usually gets approved quickly. Voluntary (you quit) requires proving 'good cause.' There's also stuff like structural unemployment, frictional unemployment, but those are economic terms - for NYS Department of Labor purposes, it's mainly about voluntary vs involuntary.
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