CaputGeratLupinum's journey

I was furloughed from my full-time remote Software Engineer position back in April and spent several months searching for a new job. Finally, I landed a W2 contract-to-hire position through a recruiter who is a family friend of my wife. The job is hybrid, requiring me to be onsite two days a week, and it’s located about half an hour from my home. The initial contract terms were quite unfavorable, including a clause that stated I wouldn't be paid for any time I billed if the client didn't pay, and another clause that would hold me liable for damages if I quit without giving a full two weeks' notice. After negotiating, those clauses were removed, and I signed the contract with an estimated start date of July 1st. However, July 1st came and went without any communication. I was informed that I couldn't start until they sent me the necessary equipment. I was given the option to drive an hour and a half to another city for my first day on July 8th, but I chose to wait for the equipment instead. Now, July 15th has passed, and still no equipment has arrived. This week began with no tracking number in sight, and now it’s July 21st, and I'm still waiting. I'm three weeks into this signed contract, which prohibits me from working elsewhere, yet I'm not being given any work to bill. I had to resign from my previous position to take this role and have arranged childcare multiple times only to cancel each time. At this point, I'm seriously considering whether I can just bail on this contract since they aren't holding up their end of the deal. I can't risk jeopardizing my unemployment benefits.