NYS Department of Labor unemployment eligibility for family caregivers - can caregivers get unemployment benefits?

Unfortunately, if you voluntarily quit your job to provide family care, you typically won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. The system generally requires that you lose your job through no fault of your own - like layoffs or company closures. However, there might be some exceptions if you can prove the caregiving was absolutely necessary and you had no other reasonable options. You'd need to file a claim and see if they approve it during the adjudication process.

Actually, New York does have some provisions for what they call 'good cause' quits. If you can document that the caregiving situation was urgent and unavoidable, you might have a case. You'll need medical documentation about your father's condition and proof that you explored other care options first. The key is showing NYS Department of Labor that a reasonable person in your situation would have made the same choice.

I went through something similar last year when I had to quit to care for my mom. NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim but I appealed it with documentation from her doctors. It took about 6 weeks total but they eventually approved it. The key was proving it was absolutely necessary and that I had tried to arrange FMLA leave first but my employer wouldn't accommodate it.

Just a heads up - if you do get approved, you'll still need to meet the job search requirements. NYS Department of Labor requires you to apply for jobs each week and document your search activities. Since you're already looking for work that shouldn't be a problem, but make sure you're keeping track of your applications.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to discuss your situation or check on a claim, I recently used a service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. It was really helpful when I was stuck trying to resolve issues with my weekly claims.

good luck with this!! the unemployment system is so confusing especially when you have unique situations like caregiving. hope it works out for you 🤞

I'm in a similar situation right now - had to quit my job to care for my grandmother with Alzheimer's. From what I've learned, the key is really in how you present your case to NYS Department of Labor. Don't just say you quit to be a caregiver - emphasize that it was an emergency situation where you had no other viable options. I'm still waiting to hear back on my claim, but my caseworker told me that having a clear timeline of events and showing you exhausted other resources first really helps. Also, if your employer has any documentation about why they couldn't accommodate flexible scheduling or leave, that can strengthen your case too.

I had a very similar experience when I had to quit my job to care for my disabled brother a couple years ago. NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim, but I successfully appealed it. The most important thing is to gather ALL your documentation before you file - medical records, letters from doctors explaining the necessity of care, any correspondence with your employer about trying to get leave or accommodation, and proof that you looked into other care options like home health services or adult day programs. When you write your application, be very specific about why the caregiving was urgent and unavoidable - don't just say you chose to quit to help family. Frame it as "I was forced to leave my employment due to a family medical emergency that required immediate full-time care." The appeal process can take time, but it's worth it if you have the documentation to back up your case. Also, start applying for jobs now and keep detailed records of every application - you'll need to show you're actively seeking work regardless of whether your claim gets approved.