For those wondering, the eligible businesses for the tourism card include: - Restaurants and food service locations - Retail shops - Grocery stores (most major chains) - Entertainment venues (theaters, museums, etc.) - Hotels and accommodations - Transportation services within NY The idea is to keep the money circulating in the NY economy rather than being withdrawn as cash. While it's not ideal if you need rent money, it can free up your other funds by covering food and essentials from eligible stores.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I completely misunderstood what this card was for. I checked my regular unemployment benefits and they're still coming separately, so this tourism card is just an extra thing. Still wish I could use it for rent, but at least I can use it for groceries and save my regular benefits for rent. Going to check that portal for the list of places that accept it.

Glad to hear payments are starting to come through! This is pretty typical of how NYSDOL handles these temporary delays - they often process a large batch of delayed payments all at once. For anyone still waiting, you should see yours very soon. For future reference, when you see a delay like this, check the NY DOL Twitter account (@NYSLabor) as they sometimes post alerts about processing delays, though admittedly they're not always quick to acknowledge these issues.

got mine too finally! not gonna spend it all in one place lol. but seriously why cant they just TELL US when theres gonna be a delay instead of making everyone panic?

I just wanted to update everyone - I just checked my account and the payment FINALLY showed up! It's dated today even though I certified on Sunday. Hopefully everyone else starts seeing their payments come through too.

UPDATE: My payment just came through! Looks like they're catching up on the backlog. Check your accounts if you're still waiting!

my cousin had the exact same problem and he went to his local state rep's office and they helped him cut through all the red tape. might be worth trying

Update: I managed to reach someone at NYSDOL using the Claimyr service that was recommended here. The agent confirmed this is definitely identity theft and has escalated my case to their fraud department. They're sending me paperwork to formally dispute the 1099-G and said I should also file a police report ASAP for documentation. They're also helping me establish a new account with additional identity verification measures. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! I'll post another update when this is resolved in case it helps someone else.

One additional piece of advice: New York requires you to register with NY JobZone and create an active job search plan within 7 days of filing your unemployment claim. Many people miss this step and it can delay your benefits. Since you're part of a mass layoff, you should also check if your company is covered under the WARN Act, which might entitle you to additional benefits or services.

Based on the responses here, it's clear your situation should result in approval. To summarize the key steps: 1. File immediately 2. Select the correct reason for separation (layoff due to business closing) 3. Upload/provide the employer letter when prompted 4. Begin weekly certifications right away 5. Register with NY JobZone within 7 days 6. If you encounter any issues reaching NYSDOL, consider using a service to get through Most bankruptcy-related claims are processed within 2-3 weeks, so you should receive your first payment before your rent is due if you file immediately.