Can you get PFL and unemployment benefits at the same time in NY?

You generally cannot collect both unemployment and PFL benefits simultaneously. Unemployment requires that you be available and actively seeking work, while PFL is for when you're unable to work due to family caregiving responsibilities. These are considered conflicting eligibility requirements by NYS Department of Labor. You would need to choose one or the other based on your current situation.

I went through something similar last year. You're right that you can't get both at the same time. When I needed to care for my dad, I had to suspend my unemployment benefits and apply for PFL instead. The good news is that you can potentially return to your unemployment claim later if you still need it after your PFL period ends, as long as your benefit year hasn't expired.

this is so confusing why cant they just let you get both if you need them?? the system makes no sense

I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor about this exact question last month. Spent hours on hold trying to speak with someone who could explain the rules clearly. Finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent who walked me through the whole process. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really saved me time and frustration trying to reach someone myself.

The key thing to remember is that PFL and unemployment serve different purposes under NYS Department of Labor rules. PFL is administered through your employer's insurance carrier, while unemployment is directly through NYS Department of Labor. Make sure you understand which benefit better fits your current needs before making the switch.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. From what I've learned, you definitely need to be strategic about timing. Since you're already on unemployment, you might want to calculate whether PFL would provide better financial support for your family caregiving period. PFL typically pays about 67% of your average weekly wage (up to a cap), while unemployment varies. Also consider that PFL has a maximum duration of 12 weeks per benefit year, so you'll want to make sure that timeframe aligns with your mom's care needs. It's worth calling both programs to get exact figures for your situation before making the switch.