My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: New York

I was a NYS employee working at a state agency for years. The building had a major water-related incident and continuous water issues thereafter. Following that, employees began experiencing various allergic reactions, which raised concern about air quality problems including mold. I developed severe respiratory issues that went dismissed in spite of complaints until I got the union involved. The union had tests done confirming the air quality issues and wrote up a report of findings including what the employer should do to bring the building and air quality up to code.

My employer wouldn't pay for remediation due to budget. My condition declined until I couldn't even breathe while in the building, obviously interfering with both my work and my health. I was diagnosed with an allergic respiratory condition and advised to stay out of the place causing it. I went on sick leave until I recovered. Problems returned immediately upon returning to work and worsened again. Employer still had no plans for remediation to improve air quality. I resigned. I left a lot out of that for length.

I filed an unemployment claim stating I quit for medical reasons. They started sending me questionnaires. I filled them out as they came and indicated on them that I had supporting documents but it would take a while to get all of it together so I'd be sending them in as I received them. I also indicated that I was willing and able to work and actively looking for employment. When I had all of the major documents, I emailed them in using the DOL's secure messaging system.

About three weeks later, I got a reply saying my documents were received and my claim was under review and to keep certifying my benefits. A few weeks went by and I got nervous because I have no money. I signed into the DOL account and it said my claim was still pending. I emailed asking how long it might take to review my claim. A week or two later, I got a response saying it would take about six weeks if they didn't need any more info from me or my employer.

I continued certifying benefits and applying for jobs (including at all of the local stores/restaurants). A month later, I checked in again asking if they needed anything else from me and if it was typical for it to take this long or if it was just because I quit for medical reasons? I got a response a week later saying that my claim was denied three months ago for quitting without good cause, they'd send me the determination letter, and that if I don't agree, I can ask for a hearing.

I said that didn't sound right because I've been in touch with them over the past three months about my claim being ongoing and it even still says it's pending in the system. I didn't hear anything back yet, but I did just get the determination letter from them (with my address handwritten which I thought was odd because everything else I got from them had printed envelopes). It said quit without good cause, didn't show a compelling reason for quitting.

How do I go about finding out if my file was mishandled, like if someone jumped the gun and put in a denial for me while someone else was still handling the claim? Also, I've been concerned from the beginning that my claim wouldn't be approved regardless because my employer (the state) is basically the same one making the determination. Do you know if state employees have a harder time having unemployment claims approved?

After I get a response to that, I'll ask the question I was going to ask about the justification of the determination. Thanks!