What happens if your NYS Department of Labor unemployment claim gets denied?
Just got a notice that my unemployment claim was denied by NYS Department of Labor and I'm honestly confused about what this means. The letter mentions something about 'not meeting eligibility requirements' but doesn't give specifics. Is this the end of the road or can I do something about it? I lost my job 3 weeks ago when the company downsized and thought I qualified. What are my options now?
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Malik Jenkins
A denial isn't permanent! You have the right to appeal the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice. The NYS Department of Labor has to give you specific reasons for the denial, so call them to get clarification if the letter wasn't clear. Common reasons include voluntary quit, misconduct, or not being able and available for work. You'll need to file an appeal and possibly attend a hearing.
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Isabella Costa
•Thank you! I definitely didn't quit voluntarily so maybe there's hope. How do I file the appeal?
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Freya Andersen
omg the same thing happened to me last month!! i was freaking out too but it turns out they denied it because they said i quit when i actually got fired. took forever to get through on the phone to explain what really happened
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Isabella Costa
•Did you end up getting approved after explaining? I'm worried they won't believe my side of the story.
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Eduardo Silva
You can appeal online through your my.ny.gov account or mail in the appeal form that should have come with your denial notice. Make sure you gather any documentation from your employer about the layoff - termination letter, WARN notice if applicable, anything that proves it wasn't your fault. The hearing will be your chance to present your case.
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Leila Haddad
•This is good advice. I had to appeal mine too and having paperwork made all the difference at the hearing.
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Emma Johnson
Ugh the NYS Department of Labor system is SO broken. They deny legitimate claims all the time and make you jump through hoops to get what you deserve. I've been fighting mine for 2 months now and still waiting for a hearing date. Don't get your hopes up that it'll be quick or easy.
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Ravi Patel
•I understand the frustration, but appeals do work when you have a valid case. The system is overwhelmed but it's not broken - just slow.
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Astrid Bergström
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to understand your denial, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped me get clarification on my denial reasons so I knew exactly what to include in my appeal.
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Isabella Costa
•Interesting, I'll check that out. I've been trying to call for days with no luck.
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PixelPrincess
been there! mine got denied first time but approved on appeal. just make sure you appeal within the 30 days or you're SOL
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Gabriel Ruiz
Don't panic - denials are actually pretty common and most can be successfully appealed if you have a legitimate case. Since you mentioned it was a company downsize, that should definitely qualify you for benefits. The key is acting fast on that 30-day appeal deadline. I'd recommend calling the NYS DOL first thing tomorrow morning to get the specific reason for denial, then start gathering any paperwork you have from your employer about the layoffs. If you can't get through by phone, the online appeal through ny.gov is usually faster than mailing forms.
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