NYS Department of Labor reasons for unemployment - which ones qualify for benefits?
I'm confused about what reasons for unemployment actually qualify you for benefits in New York. I got laid off from my retail job last month due to store closure, but my friend says she couldn't get unemployment when she quit her job because of a hostile work environment. Are there specific reasons for unemployment that NYS Department of Labor accepts? I want to make sure I file correctly and don't mess up my claim.
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Aidan Hudson
There are several qualifying reasons for unemployment in NY. Job loss due to lack of work (like your situation) is the most common. Constructive discharge (forced to quit due to intolerable conditions) can qualify but requires documentation. Domestic violence situations also qualify under certain circumstances. Your friend might have had a case if she documented the hostile environment properly.
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Lucy Lam
•Thanks! So my layoff should definitely qualify then. What kind of documentation would my friend have needed for the hostile work environment thing?
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Zoe Wang
NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about voluntary quits. You need to prove you had 'good cause' which is a legal standard. Things like unsafe working conditions, harassment that was reported but not addressed, or significant changes to your job terms can qualify. But you have to show you tried to resolve it first before quitting.
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Connor Richards
•This is so frustrating! I quit because my boss was making my life miserable but I didn't know I needed to document everything. Now they're saying I'm disqualified.
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Grace Durand
I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when my claim got flagged for additional review on my separation reason. Kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold forever. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me weeks of trying to get through on my own.
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Steven Adams
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already struggling financially.
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Grace Durand
•It's worth checking out their site for details. For me it was way better than the stress of never getting through to explain my separation circumstances.
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Alice Fleming
wait so if you get fired for like attendance issues does that disqualify you?? asking for a friend lol
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Aidan Hudson
•Being fired for misconduct can disqualify you, but it depends on the specific circumstances. Attendance issues might not always count as misconduct if there were legitimate reasons. Your 'friend' should still apply and let NYS Department of Labor make the determination.
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Hassan Khoury
I've seen people get benefits for all sorts of reasons for unemployment. Seasonal layoffs, company downsizing, even some people who quit for health reasons. The key is being honest on your application and providing any documentation they ask for during adjudication.
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