Congratulations on the new job! Yeah the timing sucks but better to be honest on your claims than deal with overpayment headaches later.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and it really is frustrating! The gap between your last unemployment payment and first paycheck is rough, but definitely don't risk the overpayment. I ended up having to borrow some money from family to get through those two weeks. One thing that helped was reaching out to local food banks and seeing if my utility companies had any hardship programs to defer payments. It's not ideal but it's temporary - hang in there!

Make sure when you file that you select the right reason for leaving your job. There should be an option for 'lack of childcare' or something similar. Also be prepared to provide names and contact info for the daycares you contacted during the application process. NYS Department of Labor will likely verify your story during adjudication.

I went through something similar last year when my mom (who watched my kids) had to go into the hospital unexpectedly. NYS Department of Labor did approve my claim but you really need to document EVERYTHING. Keep a spreadsheet of every daycare you called - name, phone number, date you contacted them, what they told you about availability/cost/waiting lists. Also save any emails or texts about childcare arrangements that fell through. They're going to want to see that you exhausted all reasonable options before quitting. It's frustrating but the documentation is what saved me during the adjudication process. Don't give up - if you truly had no other choice, you have a good case.

Congrats on getting your payment so quickly! That's really encouraging to hear. I'm on day 8 of waiting for my first payment after being laid off from my retail job. I also did the ID.me verification right away after reading all the advice here, and I've been certifying weekly even though my claim is still pending. One thing I wanted to add for others - I called the customer service line yesterday (took 45 minutes to get through) and the agent told me that even though my claim shows "pending" online, it's actually moving through the system normally. She said sometimes the online status doesn't update in real-time, so don't panic if it still says pending after a week or two. The agent was able to see more detailed status info on her end. Fingers crossed I get mine soon too! Thanks for updating us with your timeline.

I'm currently on day 16 of waiting for my first payment after being laid off from my marketing job. Did the ID.me verification immediately and have been certifying weekly, but still showing "pending" status online. What I've learned from calling twice is that March applications are taking a bit longer than usual due to a system update they did in early March. The first agent told me 2-3 weeks, the second one (called yesterday) said they're seeing most March claims process around the 18-21 day mark now. One tip that might help others - when you call, ask them to check if your employer has responded to their inquiry yet. In my case, they sent the standard separation verification to my former employer on day 3, but the employer has 10 business days to respond. The agent said once they get that response (assuming no disputes), payments usually go out within 2-3 business days. So it's not just about completing your part of the application - there's a whole back-and-forth with employers that can add time. Just wanted to share this since I didn't realize how much the employer response timing could impact things!

The whole system is rigged against working people. Employers get away with paying under the table because they know workers won't report them, and then when you need help you're left with nothing. Meanwhile they probably pocketed all the money they should have been paying in unemployment taxes.

Angel, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation. While it's true that traditional unemployment benefits require reported wages, you might still have some options worth exploring. First, definitely document everything you can about your employment - any texts, schedules, photos of you working, bank deposits, etc. Even though you were paid cash, you were still an employee entitled to proper treatment under labor law. Consider reaching out to a worker's rights organization or legal aid clinic - they can help you understand if there are other safety net programs you might qualify for while you look for new work. Also, as others mentioned, reporting the employer could help prevent this from happening to other workers. Don't give up - there might be more options available than you initially think.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the anxiety and stress of being unemployed for months is really overwhelming. I went through something similar earlier this year when my benefits expired and I felt completely lost about what to do next. One resource that really helped me was contacting my local Community Action Agency. They offer emergency assistance programs that most people don't know about - things like rental assistance, utility help, and even small grants for job search expenses like gas or interview clothes. You can find your local office at communityactionpartnership.com. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're signed up with all the major job boards AND their email alerts. Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, ZipRecruiter, etc. Set up very specific alerts for your field and location - I was getting 10-15 relevant job notifications per day which helped me apply to positions within hours of them being posted. The other thing that made a difference for me was volunteering with local nonprofits in my field. It kept my skills sharp, expanded my network, and actually led to a contract position that turned permanent. Plus it helped with the mental health aspect of feeling productive and valuable again. Hang in there - this job market is brutal but you're not alone in this struggle.

I'm in almost the exact same situation - my NY benefits ran out in late August and I'm still struggling to find work despite applying everywhere. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly the first time I've felt hopeful in weeks. I had no idea about so many of these programs like the 599 Training Program, Individual Training Accounts, or even that libraries have career centers. I've been doing the same thing as everyone else - just endlessly applying online and getting nowhere. What really resonates with me is the advice about changing strategies completely. I think I've been stuck in the "spray and pray" approach of just submitting applications, but the networking and direct outreach suggestions make so much sense. I'm definitely going to start with my local Career Center this week and look into the Claimyr service to actually get through to someone at NYSDOL. The temp agency strategy also seems smart - I've been holding out for permanent positions but some income is definitely better than none at this point. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences and resources. It's both comforting and motivating to know others have navigated this successfully. The mental health aspect is so real - some days I barely want to get out of bed, but this thread gives me a concrete action plan to work with. Zoe, I hope some of these resources work out for you. Please keep us posted on how it goes!