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

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!

just checking in - same boat here! been waiting 5 weeks for my fact finding to finish. at least we're not alone in this mess lol

I went through this exact same situation last year when my retail job ended due to store closure. It took about 7 weeks for my fact finding to complete, but I did get approved with full back pay. One thing that helped me was gathering any additional documentation about the business closure - like news articles, lease termination notices, or anything showing it was permanent. You can upload these through your NY.gov account under "Upload Documents" even if they didn't specifically request them. Also, if you have any contact info for HR or management from the restaurant, having them available to verify employment details can speed things up if DOL needs to reach them. Hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but most legitimate claims do get approved eventually!

The system is so confusing about timing! They should make it clearer that you lose benefits if you don't file immediately. I almost made the same mistake when I got laid off last year. Fortunately my friend told me to file right away or I would have lost thousands.

Don't beat yourself up about waiting - you're definitely not alone in this situation! I work in HR and see this all the time. People think they need to exhaust all job search options first, but unemployment benefits are there to bridge the gap while you look. File today and start your weekly certifications right away. Also, make sure you're actively job searching since you'll need to report your search activities. Good luck with both the filing process and your job hunt!

just focus on getting your claim filed properly and doing your job searches. thats all they care about for regular unemployment

I can confirm this - I just went through the unemployment process in NY last month after being laid off from my retail job. No drug testing whatsoever. They only ask about your work history, reason for separation, and whether you're able and available to work. The whole process was actually pretty straightforward online through the NY.gov website. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready (dates, employer details, etc.) when you file your initial claim.

thanks for asking this, i was wondering the same thing. good to know about the 18 month thing, i thought it was just the last job

One thing that really helped me when I filed was having my bank routing and account numbers ready for direct deposit setup. Also, if you've had multiple jobs in the past 18 months, try to gather as much wage info as possible - even if you don't have exact amounts, having a rough estimate speeds things up. The system will pull your actual wage records from employers later for verification. And definitely file online at my.ny.gov rather than trying to call - the online system is way more reliable than their phone lines!