What reasons can you be denied unemployment by NYS Department of Labor?
I'm thinking about filing for unemployment but want to understand all the ways NYS Department of Labor can deny your claim before I even apply. I've heard there are specific reasons they'll automatically reject you but I can't find a clear list anywhere. Does anyone know what disqualifies you from getting UI benefits in New York? I'm worried about wasting time filing if I'm not eligible.
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Lindsey Fry
The main reasons NYS Department of Labor denies claims are: quitting without good cause, getting fired for misconduct, not being able and available to work, refusing suitable work offers, not meeting wage requirements, or not actively searching for jobs. Each case gets reviewed individually during adjudication though.
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Leo Simmons
•What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I left my last job because my boss was creating a hostile work environment but I didn't file any formal complaints.
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Saleem Vaziri
You can also get denied if you don't have enough work history - you need to have worked in at least 2 quarters during your base period and earned a minimum amount. NYS Department of Labor looks at your wage records to determine if you qualify. There's also the issue of being available for work - if you're going to school full time or have restrictions that limit your availability, they might deny you.
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Kayla Morgan
•How much do you need to have earned? I only worked part time for about 8 months last year.
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James Maki
DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED on their ridiculous denial reasons!! They denied me because I supposedly 'refused suitable work' when the job they wanted me to take paid $8 less per hour than my previous position. The whole system is designed to keep people from getting benefits they deserve.
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Lindsey Fry
•You can appeal that decision if the work wasn't truly suitable based on your skills and wage history. NYS Department of Labor has specific guidelines about what constitutes suitable work.
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Jasmine Hancock
If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about your specific situation, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Sometimes you need to talk to someone directly to understand if your circumstances would lead to a denial.
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Leo Simmons
•Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call for days but keep getting disconnected.
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Cole Roush
wait so if you get fired for being late too many times does that count as misconduct?? asking for a friend obviously lol
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Lindsey Fry
•Yes, chronic tardiness can be considered misconduct if it was willful and your employer had clear policies about attendance. It depends on the specific circumstances though.
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Scarlett Forster
Just wanted to add that even if you get initially denied, you can always appeal the decision. I was denied at first because they said I quit voluntarily, but I appealed with documentation showing it was actually constructive dismissal and eventually won my case.
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