What are valid reasons you can get unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor?
I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for unemployment benefits and honestly I'm confused about what reasons actually qualify you. I lost my job last month but my manager said I was terminated for attendance issues (I was late a few times due to childcare problems). Does that automatically disqualify me from getting unemployment? What are the main reasons the NYS Department of Labor approves claims for? I don't want to waste time filing if I'm just going to get denied.
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Jamal Brown
You can still qualify even with attendance issues depending on the circumstances. NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you were fired for misconduct or just poor performance. Valid reasons include: layoffs, reduction in workforce, company closing, fired without misconduct, quit for good cause (unsafe conditions, harassment, significant pay cut), or constructive discharge. Attendance problems might not be considered misconduct if you had valid reasons like medical issues or documented childcare emergencies.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•That's helpful! The attendance was definitely related to my daycare having inconsistent hours. Should I mention that when I file my claim?
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Fatima Al-Rashid
I got approved after being fired for what my boss called 'performance issues' but it was really because I couldn't work overtime due to my second job. You should definitely file - the worst they can say is no. Make sure you document everything about why you were late and keep records of your childcare situation. If they deny you initially, you can always appeal.
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Giovanni Rossi
•How long did your claim take to get approved? I'm in a similar situation.
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Aaliyah Jackson
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status or need to speak with someone about your specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting disconnected.
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KylieRose
•Never heard of that before but might be worth trying if the regular phone number isn't working.
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Miguel Hernández
the system is rigged anyway, they'll find any excuse to deny you benefits even when you deserve them. I was laid off and it still took 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documentation
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Jamal Brown
•That's frustrating but not typical. Most straightforward layoff cases get processed within 2-3 weeks if all documentation is submitted correctly.
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Sasha Ivanov
Just file! I thought I wouldn't qualify because I quit my job but it turned out my boss cutting my hours in half counted as constructive discharge. You never know until you try and the application process is pretty straightforward on the my.ny.gov website.
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