NYS Department of Labor disqualified for unemployment benefits - appeal options?
Got my determination letter yesterday saying I was disqualified for unemployment benefits. The letter says 'voluntary quit without good cause' but I left because my supervisor was creating a hostile work environment and making discriminatory comments. I documented everything and even filed a complaint with HR before I quit. Does anyone know if I can appeal this NYS Department of Labor decision? I really need these benefits while I look for new work.
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Elijah Brown
Yes, you absolutely can appeal a disqualification! You have 30 days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal with NYS Department of Labor. Since you have documentation of the hostile work environment, that could support your case for 'good cause' to quit. You'll need to request a hearing and present your evidence - HR complaints, emails, witness statements if you have them.
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Zoe Walker
•Thank you! Do I need to keep filing weekly claims while the appeal is pending or should I stop?
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Elijah Brown
•Yes, definitely keep filing your weekly claims even during the appeal process. If you win your appeal, you'll get backpay for those weeks. If you stop filing, you could lose those weeks entirely.
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Maria Gonzalez
same thing happened to me but they said i was fired for misconduct when really i was just late a few times because of childcare issues... the whole system is rigged against working people
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Zoe Walker
•That's so frustrating! Did you end up appealing it?
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Natalie Chen
I had success getting through to an actual NYS Department of Labor representative using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to agents when the phone lines are jammed. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth trying to speak directly with someone about your appeal options before the 30-day deadline.
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Zoe Walker
•Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to call for days but can never get through. Will definitely check this out.
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Santiago Martinez
Wait, so if you quit you can still get unemployment? I thought only people who got fired or laid off could collect benefits. This is confusing.
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Elijah Brown
•You can get benefits if you quit for 'good cause' - things like unsafe working conditions, harassment, discrimination, or significant changes to your job that you didn't agree to. But you have to prove it was good cause, which is why documentation is so important.
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Samantha Johnson
Just wanted to say good luck with your appeal! Hostile work environment is definitely good cause if you can prove it. Make sure you have everything organized before your hearing.
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