Why am I disqualified from unemployment - NYS Department of Labor says I'm ineligible
I got a determination letter from NYS Department of Labor saying I'm disqualified from unemployment benefits but I don't understand why. I lost my job last month when my company downsized and I thought I qualified for UI benefits. The letter mentions something about 'misconduct' but I was never written up or disciplined at work. I was always on time and did my job well. Has anyone else gotten one of these disqualification notices? What does this even mean and can I fight it? I really need these benefits to pay my rent.
10 comments
Join the conversation
Alicia Stern
You definitely have the right to appeal this disqualification! NYS Department of Labor disqualifications can happen for several reasons - misconduct, voluntary quit, or not meeting work requirements. The key is understanding exactly what they're claiming happened. Check your determination letter carefully - it should specify the reason code and the incident they're referencing. You have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal.
0 coins
Alexander Zeus
•The letter just says 'misconduct' but doesn't give specifics. How do I find out what incident they're talking about? I honestly can't think of anything I did wrong.
0 coins
Gabriel Graham
This happened to my coworker too. Sometimes employers report things differently to NYS Department of Labor than what actually happened. Like they might say you were fired for cause when really it was just a layoff. You need to get your separation notice and compare it to what your employer told the unemployment office. The stories need to match or you can challenge it.
0 coins
Drake
•Exactly this! My employer told NYS Department of Labor I quit when I was actually laid off. Took three weeks to get it sorted out but I eventually got all my back benefits.
0 coins
Sarah Jones
I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I needed to appeal my disqualification. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo showing how it works - https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Really helped me get answers about my specific case instead of just guessing what went wrong.
0 coins
Alexander Zeus
•Thanks, I'll check that out. I've been trying to call for days but can never get through to anyone who can explain this disqualification.
0 coins
Sebastian Scott
ugh the NYS Department of Labor system is SO frustrating!! they disqualify people for the dumbest reasons and then make it impossible to get answers. i got disqualified once because my boss said i was 'insubordinate' when really i just asked questions about safety procedures. took forever to get it overturned but i did eventually win my appeal
0 coins
Alicia Stern
•The appeal process can be lengthy but it's worth fighting if you believe the disqualification is wrong. Make sure you gather any documentation from your employment - emails, performance reviews, anything that shows you weren't terminated for misconduct.
0 coins
Emily Sanjay
same thing happened to me
0 coins
Jordan Walker
Don't give up! I was disqualified initially because there was some confusion about my last day of work. My employer reported the wrong date to NYS Department of Labor and it made it look like I quit without notice. Once I provided my actual termination paperwork and explained the timeline, they reversed the disqualification. The whole thing took about 6 weeks but I got all my back pay. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while the appeal is pending - that way if you win, you'll get benefits for those weeks too.
0 coins