Can I collect unemployment if I'm taking care of a family member in NY?

Unfortunately, quitting to care for a family member typically doesn't qualify you for regular unemployment benefits in NY. NYS Department of Labor requires that you be available and actively seeking work, which caregiving responsibilities would prevent. However, you might want to look into other programs like Family Medical Leave Act or disability benefits if your own health has been affected by the stress.

wait i thought there were special rules for family caregivers? my cousin had to take care of her dad and got something

I had a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor about this exact question last year. Spent weeks calling and either got busy signals or was on hold for hours. Finally used Claimyr.com to get connected to an agent who explained all the requirements. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration dealing with the phone system.

The system is so messed up - they expect people to just abandon their sick family members to keep getting benefits. What kind of society punishes people for doing the right thing??

You should definitely call and ask anyway - sometimes there are special circumstances they consider. Also look into whether your employer offered any leave options before you quit.

I'm really sorry to hear about your mother's stroke, Omar. This is such a difficult situation to navigate. While others are right that traditional unemployment benefits typically don't apply when you voluntarily quit for caregiving, I'd encourage you to explore a few other options: 1) Contact your local Area Agency on Aging - they often have caregiver support programs and resources you might not know about, 2) Look into whether you qualify for any state disability benefits if the stress has affected your own health, 3) Check if your former employer has any rehire policies that might help you return to work part-time with flexible scheduling once you get more support systems in place. Also, don't give up on calling NYS DOL - sometimes different representatives have different knowledge about edge cases and exceptions. Wishing you and your mother all the best during this challenging time.

Omar, I went through something very similar when my father needed full-time care after his accident. You're absolutely right to explore all options. One thing that helped me was contacting 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they connect you to local caregiving resources and support services that can sometimes provide respite care or financial assistance. Also, if your mother qualifies for Medicaid, she might be eligible for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) which could actually pay you as her caregiver. It's worth looking into since you're already providing the care anyway. The application process can be complex, but some agencies help you navigate it for free. Don't lose hope - there are more resources out there than most people realize.

Omar, I'm so sorry about your mother's stroke - what a tough situation to be in. While the unemployment route seems challenging based on what others have shared, I wanted to mention something that might help bridge the gap financially. Have you looked into whether your mother might qualify for veteran's benefits if she or your father served in the military? The VA has Aid and Attendance benefits that can provide monthly payments specifically for veterans or surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. It's often overlooked but can provide significant financial support for care costs. Also, some local churches and community organizations have emergency assistance funds for families dealing with medical crises - it might be worth reaching out even if you're not a regular member. These aren't long-term solutions, but they could help while you're navigating the other programs people mentioned like CDPAP. Take care of yourself too in all this - caregiver burnout is real.

Omar, I'm really sorry to hear about your mother's situation - caring for a stroke survivor is incredibly demanding and you made a compassionate choice. While unemployment benefits likely won't work out as others have explained, I wanted to add a few more resources to consider. First, contact your local Office for the Aging - they often have emergency caregiver relief funds and respite care programs that can provide both financial help and temporary caregivers so you can get some rest. Second, if your mother was working before her stroke, she might be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, which could help with household expenses. Third, many hospitals have social workers who specialize in discharge planning and ongoing care coordination - even though your mom isn't currently hospitalized, they sometimes provide community resources and referrals for families dealing with stroke recovery. Also, the National Stroke Association has a helpline (1-800-STROKES) that connects families to local support groups and financial assistance programs. You're doing an incredible thing for your mother, and there are people and organizations who want to help support families like yours.

Omar, I'm so sorry about your mother's stroke - that's an incredibly difficult situation and you're doing something truly selfless. I've been reading through all the great advice here and wanted to add one more angle that might help. Since you worked at a hospital for 8 years, you might want to reach out to your former HR department about any employee assistance programs or alumni networks they have. Some hospitals maintain connections with former employees and may have resources or even part-time opportunities that could work with your caregiving schedule. Also, given your healthcare background, you might be uniquely positioned for some of the home health aide or private duty nursing positions that offer flexible scheduling - this could provide income while still allowing you to be your mother's primary caregiver. Many families are looking for experienced healthcare workers who can provide reliable care, and your hospital experience would be a huge asset. It's not the same as your previous job, but it could be a bridge while you work through some of these other programs everyone's mentioned. Wishing you and your mother strength during this challenging time.