Can I get unemployment if I quit due to child care issues - NYS Department of Labor eligibility?

Yes, you can potentially qualify for unemployment benefits if you quit due to lack of childcare, but it has to meet specific criteria under NYS Department of Labor rules. It's considered 'good cause' if you can prove you made reasonable efforts to find suitable childcare and couldn't secure it. You'll need to document your search efforts - keep records of daycare contacts, waiting lists, cost comparisons, etc. The key is showing you had no other reasonable option but to quit.

I went thru this exact thing 2 years ago when my babysitter moved away suddenly. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim but it took FOREVER - like 6 weeks of adjudication. They wanted proof that I tried to find other childcare and that quitting was my last resort. Make sure you have documentation of everything you tried.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status during adjudication, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped when I was stuck in adjudication hell for weeks and couldn't get anyone on the phone.

The whole system is ridiculous!! Why should you have to PROVE you need childcare to work?? Of course you need childcare! But NYS Department of Labor makes it so complicated and then takes months to decide. Meanwhile bills don't stop coming. I hope things work out for you but prepare for a fight.

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.

I'm in a similar situation right now - my childcare provider just gave me two weeks notice and I'm scrambling to find something affordable. Reading through these responses is really helpful, especially the advice about documenting everything. @Andre Laurent your spreadsheet idea is brilliant - I'm definitely going to start tracking all my daycare calls that way. It's reassuring to know that NYS Department of Labor does approve these cases sometimes, even if the process takes forever. For those who got approved, did you have to provide proof of your income to show that the available childcare options were too expensive relative to what you were earning? I'm worried they might say I should have just taken the expensive option even though it would have eaten up most of my paycheck.

I'm going through this exact situation right now and this thread is so helpful! My daycare just announced they're closing next month and I'm panicking about what to do. Reading everyone's experiences gives me some hope that NYS Department of Labor might actually approve a claim if I have to quit. I'm definitely going to start documenting everything like you all suggested - the spreadsheet idea is genius. Has anyone had experience with how they handle the situation if you're still employed but know your childcare is ending soon? Should I wait until I actually have to quit or can I start the documentation process now while I'm still working and searching for alternatives?

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the childcare crisis is real and it's especially hard on single parents. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you do have a chance of getting approved since lack of childcare can qualify as "good cause" for quitting in NY. The key seems to be documentation - start gathering all those emails and records from daycares about waiting lists and costs right away. I'd also suggest writing down a timeline of when your daycare closed, what steps you took to find alternatives, and why the available options weren't feasible (too expensive, too far, waiting lists, etc.). Even though the process sounds long and stressful, don't let that discourage you from applying if you truly had no other choice. You deserve support during this difficult time, and if you qualify, those benefits can help you get back on your feet while you find sustainable childcare. Good luck!

I've been through this process twice with NYS Department of Labor - once in 2019 when my babysitter suddenly moved, and again in 2022 when my daycare shut down due to COVID. Both times I was approved, but the second time went much smoother because I learned from my first experience. Here's what really helped: 1) Start documenting IMMEDIATELY - don't wait. Create a folder with screenshots of daycare websites showing costs, save emails about waiting lists, take photos of "now hiring" ads that show the wages you'd earn wouldn't cover childcare. 2) Contact your local childcare resource and referral agency - they can provide a letter confirming the lack of affordable options in your area. 3) When you file, be very specific in your explanation - don't just say "no childcare available," explain that available options cost X amount which exceeds Y% of your income. The adjudicators want to see numbers and specifics. 4) If you have any family/friends who could have watched your kids but weren't available, document that too - it shows you explored all options. The process is definitely stressful but don't give up. You're not trying to "game the system" - you're a parent who literally cannot work without childcare. That's a legitimate reason and NY recognizes it, you just have to prove your case thoroughly.

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation - my daycare just informed me they're closing in three weeks and I'm frantically trying to find alternatives before I have to make the difficult decision to quit. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and honestly a huge relief to know that NYS Department of Labor does sometimes approve these claims. I've already started implementing the documentation strategies you all mentioned - creating a spreadsheet to track every daycare I contact, saving screenshots of costs and waiting list information, and keeping detailed records of why each option isn't feasible. The advice about contacting the local childcare resource and referral agency is brilliant - I'm going to reach out to them tomorrow. It's frustrating that we have to prove something so obvious (that you can't work without childcare), but if that's what it takes to get approved, I'm committed to building the strongest case possible. Thank you all for sharing your stories and practical tips - it's given me hope during what feels like an impossible situation.

I went through this same situation about 8 months ago when my childcare provider had a family emergency and couldn't watch my daughter anymore. NYS Department of Labor did approve my claim, but like others mentioned, the documentation is absolutely crucial. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to also document any temporary arrangements you tried - like if you had a family member watch your kid for a few days while searching, or if you took unpaid time off to handle the childcare crisis. This shows you were trying to maintain your employment while solving the problem. Also, when you do your phone interviews with NYS DOL (and there will be interviews), be honest and straightforward about your timeline. They asked me very specific questions about when I knew childcare was ending, what steps I took each day to find alternatives, and why I ultimately had no choice but to quit. Having that spreadsheet and documentation made all the difference in being able to give them exact dates and details. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me but they did backdate the benefits to my first eligible week. Don't let the complexity discourage you - if you truly had no reasonable alternative, you deserve those benefits while you figure out a long-term childcare solution.

Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so eye-opening - I had no idea that quitting due to childcare issues could potentially qualify for unemployment benefits! I'm not in this situation right now thankfully, but as a working parent I know how quickly childcare arrangements can fall apart. The advice about documentation seems like it would be useful even before you're in crisis mode - like keeping records of your current childcare costs and local market rates just in case. It's really encouraging to see so many people who were actually approved by NYS Department of Labor, even though the process sounds lengthy and stressful. For anyone going through this, it sounds like the key is being incredibly thorough with your paperwork and not giving up during the adjudication process. The fact that benefits get backdated once approved seems like an important detail too. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this information could really help other parents who find themselves in impossible situations.

I'm currently going through this process right now - just filed my claim last week after having to quit when my babysitter got covid and couldn't watch my kids anymore. The documentation advice here is spot on! I created a detailed log of every childcare option I contacted over two weeks - 23 different providers, daycares, and even posted in local mom groups. Most places had 3+ month waiting lists or wanted $300+ per week which would have been 70% of my take-home pay. NYS Department of Labor hasn't made a decision yet but having all that documentation organized made filling out the application much easier. I also took screenshots of job listings in my area showing typical wages versus local daycare costs to prove the math just doesn't work. The stress is real while waiting for a decision, but reading everyone's success stories here gives me hope. For anyone starting this process, definitely don't skip the step about contacting your local childcare resource agency - they were super helpful in providing official documentation about the shortage of affordable options in my zip code.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my nanny just gave me one week's notice (her husband got transferred for work). I've been frantically calling daycares and the cheapest option I found would cost $280/week, which is about 65% of my weekly take-home pay after taxes. That would leave me with barely enough for rent, let alone food and other bills. I've already contacted 15 places and started keeping detailed records like everyone suggested - dates, costs, waiting lists, everything. It's really encouraging to see that NYS Department of Labor does approve these cases when you have proper documentation. The advice about contacting the local childcare resource agency is something I'm definitely going to do tomorrow. Has anyone had experience with how long the adjudication process typically takes right now? I know @Leo Simmons mentioned 6 weeks but wondering if processing times have changed recently with everything going on.

This thread has been incredibly helpful for so many people going through similar situations! As someone who works in family services, I wanted to add a few additional resources that might help strengthen your case with NYS Department of Labor. Many counties have Child Care Councils that maintain databases of available slots and average costs - they can often provide official letters documenting the shortage of affordable care in your area. Also, if you're income-eligible, make sure to get on waiting lists for subsidized childcare programs even while you're unemployed - it shows you're actively working toward a sustainable solution. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local childcare resources and may help you find emergency or temporary options while your claim is being processed. One more tip: if you had to use sick days or unpaid time off in the weeks leading up to quitting due to childcare issues, document that too - it shows the problem was already impacting your employment before you had to make the final decision to leave. Everyone's advice about thorough documentation is absolutely correct - NYS takes these cases seriously when you can prove you exhausted all reasonable alternatives.