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Just a heads up that my brother had this same issue and when he finally got the KeyBank card, he couldn't activate it because they had his SSN wrong in the system. Took another month to fix. The NYSDOL system is so broken it's unbelievable. They make everything as difficult as possible.
Just checking in - were you able to set up direct deposit? If so, you should see the funds in your account within 2-3 business days. If you run into any issues, let us know!
Keep trying to reach someone at NYSDOL if you're confused! I was in a similar situation - got a KeyBank card out of nowhere. Spent DAYS trying to get someone on the phone to explain it. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes who explained everything. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Turns out they were processing adjustments for claims from early 2024 and found I was eligible for more money than I received. The agent explained everything and helped me understand what payments to expect.
is claimyr legit? seems weird to pay just to talk to unemployment ppl
Don't activate anything until you verify what it is!!! There are TONS of scams going around with fake bank cards. Call the official NYSDOL number (not any number that came with the card) and verify if they sent you something. Scammers are getting really good at making fake KeyBank cards that look just like the real ones.
That's a good point! I did check my unemployment account first and saw there was a payment issued, so I'm pretty sure it's legitimate. But you're right - always good to be careful.
This is partially accurate advice. You should definitely verify unexpected financial items, but KeyBank cards for NY unemployment do come with legitimate activation instructions and phone numbers. The safest approach is to check your NY.gov unemployment account first to confirm a payment was issued, then use the official KeyBank unemployment card website (not the general KeyBank site) to activate. The card is legitimate if it matches the official design and came in official packaging.
my sister got hers but shes in buffalo and im in NYC. maybe theyre doing it by region? anyone else notice that pattern?
Update for anyone still checking this thread - I called the tax department this morning (waited 45 minutes) and the representative told me they are STILL processing single filer unemployment tax refunds and will be through July. They're prioritizing earlier filers first, but there are apparently over 200,000 eligible returns to process just for singles. So hang in there!
The NYSDOL system is COMPLETE GARBAGE. They do this ON PURPOSE to confuse people and hope you'll give up on getting your full backpay!!! I had to fight for MONTHS to get what I was owed. They started my backpay then "mysteriously" stopped it too. Don't let them get away with it!!!
While I understand your frustration, the batch processing of backpay is actually a technical limitation of their payment system, not an intentional delay tactic. The system dates back to the 1980s and wasn't designed to handle mass backpay processing.
Update: I just checked my account this morning and another batch of backpay hit my account! Looks like everyone who said to be patient was right. There are still a few weeks missing but I'm guessing those will come in the next batch. Thanks for all the advice!
CosmicCaptain
Update: I decided to call NYSDOL today and finally got through after trying for hours. They confirmed my card was mailed on September 26th as shown online. The rep said to wait until October 17th (that'll be 3 weeks total), and if it still hasn't arrived by then, call back to request a replacement. Apparently there's currently a significant mail backlog affecting card deliveries across the state. So frustrating but at least I know it's not just me!
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Isabella Ferreira
•glad you got through! thanks for the update
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Malik Johnson
That's good information - thanks for sharing the update. The 3-week timeline matches what others have reported recently. Once you do get your card, remember to immediately set up your online account at KeyBank's site so you can monitor your balance and transactions. And definitely consider switching to direct deposit to avoid future card issues.
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CosmicCaptain
•Will do! This whole process has been so much more complicated than I expected. Really appreciate everyone's help and advice.
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