I went through this exact same situation last month! From my experience, once you see "payment released" on my.ny.gov, it usually takes 2-3 business days for direct deposit. However, since this is your first unemployment payment, your bank might put a temporary hold on it for verification - mine did for 2 extra days. I'd recommend calling your bank to let them know you're expecting an unemployment deposit, as this can sometimes speed up the verification process. Also, make sure to screenshot that "payment released" status in case you need it for reference. Hope this helps and that your payment comes through soon!

I work at a credit union and can confirm what others are saying about banks holding first unemployment deposits. We typically hold them for 2-5 business days depending on the member's account history and relationship with us. The good news is that once NYS DOL shows "payment released," the money is definitely coming - it's just a matter of your bank's internal processing. If you're really pressed for time with rent, you might want to call your bank's customer service and explain the situation. Sometimes they can expedite the release if you can provide documentation showing the payment is from a legitimate government source. Also, for future payments after this first one, they should process much faster since your bank will have the deposit pattern established.

I'm actually going through this transition right now - my disability benefits end in about 10 days and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I want to add based on my research is that you should also check if you qualify for any job retraining programs through the Department of Labor while you're collecting UI benefits. Since you've been out of work for 8 months due to your injury, you might be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services that could help you transition into work that better accommodates your physical restrictions. I found out about this through my local One-Stop Career Center, and they have counselors who specialize in helping people with disabilities or work-related injuries find suitable employment. It's worth looking into since it could expand your job options beyond just light duty versions of what you did before. The combination of UI benefits plus access to retraining or job placement services designed for people with work limitations could really strengthen your position in the job market.

I've been following this conversation and wanted to share my experience from last year when I made this same transition. The most important thing I learned is to be completely honest about your work restrictions during the UI application process - trying to downplay limitations can backfire if you're offered a job you physically can't perform. I made the mistake of being vague about my restrictions at first because I was worried it would hurt my chances, but the DOL representative actually told me that being specific helps them match you with appropriate work opportunities. Also, I'd recommend reaching out to your state's vocational rehabilitation services even before your disability ends if possible. They can start working with you on job placement strategies while you're still receiving disability benefits, so you're ready to hit the ground running once you transition to UI. The whole process taught me that there are actually a lot more resources available than I initially realized - you just have to know where to look and be proactive about asking for help.

So glad you got through and got answers! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with the same confusion. The NY unemployment system really needs to fix that misleading "exhausted benefits" message - it should clearly state "benefit year ended" instead. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, the key takeaways seem to be: 1. BYE date matters more than remaining balance 2. Keep certifying weekly no matter what 3. File a new claim after your BYE date passes 4. Any system-authorized payments after BYE typically don't need to be repaid 5. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks processing time for new claims Thanks for updating us with the resolution! Hopefully your new claim processes smoothly.

I'm so glad you were able to get through and get this resolved! This whole thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm dealing with a similar situation where my BYE date is coming up in a few weeks and I was already stressing about what would happen to the remaining balance in my account. It sounds like the key is just to be patient with the system and keep certifying no matter what messages pop up. The fact that you won't have to repay those post-BYE payments is really reassuring too. I was worried about that exact scenario. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with the resolution - it's so rare that people come back to share what actually happened! This thread is going to help a lot of people who run into the same confusing situation.

Just to add - there's also something called WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding that can help with training costs. It's separate from regular unemployment but you can sometimes combine them. Your local workforce development office would know more about what's available in your area.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from my Career Center visit last week. They told me the Training Benefits program can last up to 2 years depending on the type of training, and you can apply as long as you're still within your benefit year. The key is to apply early because some popular programs fill up fast. They also mentioned there's something called "Skills Training" grants that can cover things like certification exams and licensing fees. Definitely worth making an appointment with a counselor - they walk you through all the options and help you figure out which programs make sense for your career goals.

just hang in there, once the payments start they come regularly every week as long as you keep filing your weekly claims on time

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 12 days ago after getting laid off from my retail job and still showing $0 in payment history. The waiting is really nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money for rent and groceries. I've been religiously filing my weekly claims and double-checked all my info multiple times. It's somewhat comforting to know 2-3 weeks is normal, but man does it feel like forever when you're stressed about bills. Hoping both our payments come through soon!