NYS Department of Labor claim denied - why has unemployment increased my stress levels?
I got laid off from my retail job in December and filed for unemployment right away. My claim got denied because they said I quit voluntarily, which is completely wrong - I was told my position was eliminated due to budget cuts. I appealed immediately but it's been 6 weeks and still nothing. Meanwhile my bills are piling up and I'm getting more stressed every day. Why has unemployment increased to be such a nightmare process? I followed all the rules, reported my job search activities, and I have documentation from my employer about the layoff. Has anyone else dealt with a wrongful denial like this?
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Dana Doyle
This is unfortunately common with NYS Department of Labor initial determinations. They often side with employers on quit vs. layoff disputes. For your appeal, make sure you have written documentation of the layoff notification and any communication about position elimination. The hearing officer will want to see proof that this was involuntary separation.
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Darcy Moore
•I have an email from HR about the layoff but it's pretty brief. Should I try to get a more detailed letter from my former manager?
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Liam Duke
same thing happened to me!! took 3 months to get it sorted out even with documentation. the system is broken
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Darcy Moore
•Three months?? I can't wait that long, I'm already behind on rent. Did you eventually get backpay for all those weeks?
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Manny Lark
I had a similar issue last year with a wrongful quit determination. I couldn't get through to NYS Department of Labor by phone for weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually got me connected to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was able to get my case escalated and resolved much faster than waiting for the regular appeal process.
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Rita Jacobs
•Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor these days.
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Manny Lark
•I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.
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Khalid Howes
The whole unemployment system is designed to deny claims and make people give up. They know most people can't afford to wait months for appeals. It's disgusting how they treat people who are already struggling financially.
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Ben Cooper
hang in there - appeals do work if you have the right documentation. also make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while the appeal is pending or you'll lose those weeks
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Darcy Moore
•Wait really? I stopped filing because I thought there was no point since I was denied. Can I still file for the weeks I missed?
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