Just to echo what everyone else has confirmed - there's definitely no waiting week in NY right now. I filed my claim about 6 weeks ago and got paid for that first week without any issues. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your employment documentation ready (like your separation notice or layoff paperwork) because sometimes they'll request additional verification that can delay your first payment. Also double-check that your banking info is correct for direct deposit - I made a typo in my account number initially and that caused a 10-day delay while they sorted it out. The good news is once everything is verified and processed, the weekly payments come through pretty reliably on schedule.

I went through this exact same confusion when I filed my claim earlier this year! NY definitely eliminated the waiting week back in March 2020 and it's still gone - you'll get paid for that first week. I'd recommend calling the DOL customer service line to double-check your claim status if you're concerned, but in my experience the first payment usually shows up within 3-5 business days after you certify your weekly claim. Also make sure you're certifying on the correct day based on your last name - they have specific days assigned to avoid overloading the system. The uncertainty is stressful when you're budgeting but the system generally works once everything processes correctly.

FINAL UPDATE: It worked! Got my Key Bank card yesterday with the correct address. All my benefits were there ($1,340 total). Such a relief after months of stress. For anyone else dealing with this: 1. Use Claimyr to get through to an actual person (saved me hours of frustration) 2. Specifically ask about the "Key Bank transmission status" and request an "external system sync" (exactly as someone suggested above) 3. Get a reference number and follow up if nothing happens Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! Now I can finally catch up on my bills.

This entire thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my unemployment payments got switched to Key Bank but they have an old address from 2 years ago. I've been calling for weeks with no luck. @Zara Shah thank you for documenting your whole journey and the final solution! I'm going to try the Claimyr service and use those exact terms about "Key Bank transmission status" and "external system sync" when I get through to someone. It's ridiculous that we have to become technical experts just to get our own benefits, but at least now I know what to ask for. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here. It makes me feel less alone in this bureaucratic nightmare!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Got my fax notice yesterday and I'm completely lost. After reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like getting a real person on the phone might be the best route since they can offer email options that aren't mentioned in the automated notices. Has anyone tried scanning documents with the Google Drive app? I heard it has a decent scanner feature too. Also really appreciate everyone sharing their Claimyr experiences - $20 sounds totally reasonable if it means avoiding the fax nightmare. The fact that NY unemployment still requires faxing in 2023 is absolutely ridiculous!

I went through this exact nightmare three weeks ago and it was so stressful! After reading all these responses, I wish I had found this thread earlier. I ended up trying FaxZero first (failed twice), then HelloFax (worked but took 3 attempts), and finally got my documents through. But honestly, after seeing all the success stories with Claimyr here, I would have just paid the $20 for a callback service from the start and gotten email options. The amount of time and anxiety I could have saved! One tip that really helped me - when scanning documents with your phone, make sure you're in a well-lit area and hold the phone steady. Blurry scans are the main reason faxes fail. Also, definitely send your docs at least 2-3 days before the deadline because you might need multiple attempts. The NY unemployment system is absolutely broken but don't give up - there are definitely ways to get your documents submitted!

Just make sure you file right away because there's that one week waiting period before benefits start. Also be prepared for your employer to possibly contest your claim - they often do this automatically to try to keep their unemployment insurance rates down. Don't let that discourage you, just respond honestly to any requests for information during the adjudication process.

I went through something similar a few months ago - got fired from my job for "performance issues" but really felt like they just wanted to get rid of me without proper cause. Filed for unemployment right away and was approved after about 2 weeks of review. The key thing is being completely honest on your application about what happened. Don't try to sugarcoat it or make yourself look perfect - just stick to the facts. NYS DOL investigators can usually tell the difference between someone who genuinely struggled with job requirements versus someone who was being negligent or insubordinate. Good luck with your claim!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY! I made the mistake of waiting 10 days after my termination because I thought I needed to "process" what happened first. Those 10 days were basically wasted benefit time that I can never get back. The NYS system is actually pretty straightforward once you start - you'll need your SSN, employment history for the past 18 months, and basic info about why you were terminated. Don't overthink the documentation part - the initial application is just to get you in the system. If they need more details during adjudication, they'll ask for it. Your employer threatening to contest is totally normal and honestly just shows they're trying to discourage you from filing. File now, worry about their contest later!

I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago and can't stress enough - file immediately! The NYS DOL benefit year begins the week you file your claim, not when you lost your job. Every day you wait is potentially money left on the table. I was also worried about my employer contesting (which they did), but that didn't stop me from receiving benefits while the case was under review. The online system at my.ny.gov walks you through everything step by step, and you can always add documentation later if needed during the adjudication process. Don't let your employer's threats discourage you - that's exactly what they're hoping for. Get your claim filed today and start the process rolling!