Can I collect unemployment if I have no childcare - NYS Department of Labor eligibility question
I'm in a really tough spot and need to know if I can still get unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor if I don't have childcare arranged. My job ended last month and I've been looking for work, but I have a 4-year-old and my usual babysitter moved away. I can work evenings when my partner gets home, but most jobs want daytime hours. Does this count as being 'able and available' for work? I don't want to mess up my claim by not understanding the rules correctly.
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Dylan Evans
You can still be eligible for unemployment benefits even with childcare limitations, but you need to show you're actively seeking work within your available hours. NYS Department of Labor considers you 'able and available' if you can work during specific times - like evenings in your case. Make sure to document your job search efforts for positions that match your availability and keep records of applications for evening or weekend work.
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•That's really helpful! Should I mention the childcare situation when I file my weekly claims, or just focus on the job search part?
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Sofia Gomez
ugh same problem here!! my daycare closed down and now i'm scrambling. the job search requirement is still killing me because most places want someone who can start immediately during regular business hours
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StormChaser
•Have you looked into evening shift work? Retail, healthcare, and hospitality often have non-traditional hours. As long as you're genuinely seeking work during your available times, NYS Department of Labor should consider you eligible. The key is being honest about your availability when applying.
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Dmitry Petrov
I had this exact issue last year! I was honest with NYS Department of Labor about my childcare constraints and they approved my benefits. The important thing is that you're not refusing suitable work - you're just limited in when you can work. Document everything though, because if they question your availability later you'll need proof of your job search efforts.
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•Did you have to do anything special during the adjudication process, or did it go through normally?
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Dmitry Petrov
•Mine went through without any issues, but I made sure to apply for jobs that matched my schedule and kept detailed records. I think the key was showing I was genuinely looking for work, just within my constraints.
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Ava Williams
The NYS Department of Labor phone lines are impossible to get through if you need clarification on this. I spent weeks trying to reach someone about a similar availability question. Finally used claimyr.com to get connected to an actual agent - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration compared to calling the regular number.
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Miguel Castro
•Never heard of that service before but might try it. Getting hung up on by the automated system is the worst.
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Zainab Ibrahim
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
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Ravi Choudhury
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!
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