honestly the whole system is messed up. they expect you to be available 24/7 but real life doesn't work that way especially with kids. just keep filing your weekly claims and hope for the best

I went through this same situation a few months ago with my 3-year-old. What really helped was being proactive about documenting my childcare constraints from the start. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking every job application I submitted for evening/weekend positions, including the job posting details and when I applied. When NYS Department of Labor did eventually review my case, having that documentation made all the difference. Also, don't forget that you can include positions where you'd be able to arrange childcare if hired - like jobs that start a few weeks out, giving you time to find new arrangements. The key is showing you're genuinely seeking work within your realistic availability, not just sitting back. Good luck!

just checking in - same boat here! been waiting 5 weeks for my fact finding to finish. at least we're not alone in this mess lol

I went through this exact same situation last year when my retail job ended due to store closure. It took about 7 weeks for my fact finding to complete, but I did get approved with full back pay. One thing that helped me was gathering any additional documentation about the business closure - like news articles, lease termination notices, or anything showing it was permanent. You can upload these through your NY.gov account under "Upload Documents" even if they didn't specifically request them. Also, if you have any contact info for HR or management from the restaurant, having them available to verify employment details can speed things up if DOL needs to reach them. Hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but most legitimate claims do get approved eventually!

The system is so confusing about timing! They should make it clearer that you lose benefits if you don't file immediately. I almost made the same mistake when I got laid off last year. Fortunately my friend told me to file right away or I would have lost thousands.

Don't beat yourself up about waiting - you're definitely not alone in this situation! I work in HR and see this all the time. People think they need to exhaust all job search options first, but unemployment benefits are there to bridge the gap while you look. File today and start your weekly certifications right away. Also, make sure you're actively job searching since you'll need to report your search activities. Good luck with both the filing process and your job hunt!

just focus on getting your claim filed properly and doing your job searches. thats all they care about for regular unemployment

I can confirm this - I just went through the unemployment process in NY last month after being laid off from my retail job. No drug testing whatsoever. They only ask about your work history, reason for separation, and whether you're able and available to work. The whole process was actually pretty straightforward online through the NY.gov website. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready (dates, employer details, etc.) when you file your initial claim.

I filed my NY unemployment claim about 10 days ago after being laid off from my manufacturing job, so I'm right there with you Summer! Based on everything I've read here and my own research, it seems like most straightforward claims are processed within that 7-14 day window everyone keeps mentioning. One thing I've been doing that's helped my anxiety is setting specific check-in times rather than constantly refreshing my account. I check once in the morning around 8 AM and once in the evening around 6 PM. It keeps me informed without driving myself crazy with constant monitoring. I also wanted to echo what others have said about being proactive with your landlord. I had that conversation yesterday and was surprised how understanding mine was - apparently unemployment delays are pretty common and most landlords have dealt with this before. Having that conversation early definitely reduced my stress level. The weekly certification thing seems to be the golden rule everyone agrees on, so I've been treating that like a sacred appointment every Sunday morning. From what I understand, missing even one week can really complicate things later. Hoping we both hear good news soon! This community has been incredibly helpful for navigating all of this. Keep us posted on how things go!

I just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same anxiety just a few months ago. Filed my NY unemployment claim in December after getting laid off from my office job, and I was absolutely panicking about the timeline too. My experience was right in that 7-14 day range everyone's mentioning - took exactly 13 days from filing to first payment. The key things that helped me: 1. Keep doing those weekly certifications religiously - this seems to be the #1 most important thing 2. Check your online account daily but try not to obsess (easier said than done, I know!) 3. Make sure you're checking the Messages section, not just payment status 4. Have backup plans ready - I talked to my landlord early, signed up for food assistance, and looked into utility payment deferrals The waiting is honestly the worst part, but it sounds like you're doing everything right. Your situation (3 years same employer, straightforward layoff) should process pretty smoothly. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was remembering that when it does come through, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you've been certifying. So even though the wait is stressful, you're not actually losing money - just having to wait longer to access it. Hang in there! Based on what you've described, I'd be surprised if you don't hear something positive within the next week or so.