I've been getting my unemployment benefits for about 6 months now and I can confirm what others are saying - it's typically Wednesday morning between 3-6 AM on the KeyBank card. The timing can vary a bit depending on bank processing, but Wednesday is pretty consistent as long as you certify by Monday evening. One tip: if you have the KeyBank Way2Go mobile app, you can set up notifications so you'll get an alert as soon as the deposit hits your account. That way you don't have to keep checking manually!

I've been collecting unemployment for about 4 months now and can share my experience with timing. For the KeyBank Way2Go card, I usually see my deposit hit between 2-4 AM on Wednesday morning, but I've had it come as late as 8 AM a few times. The key thing is making sure you certify by Monday evening - if you wait until Tuesday, it might delay your payment by a day. Also, keep in mind that if there are any banking holidays or system maintenance, it could push the deposit to Thursday. I'd recommend checking your my.ny.gov account to make sure your weekly claim shows as "processed" - that's usually a good indicator that the payment is on its way.

The whole system is set up to fail people. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find decent work especially in specialized fields. Meanwhile they make it nearly impossible to even talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor about your options.

Have you looked into other assistance programs while job searching? Even though UI extensions aren't available right now, you might qualify for SNAP benefits, emergency rental assistance, or job training programs through your local workforce development office. I know it's not the same as unemployment benefits, but it could help bridge the gap. Also worth checking if any local nonprofits or community organizations have emergency assistance funds for people transitioning between jobs.

I've been dealing with the same frustration! After reading through everyone's advice here, I'm going to try a combination approach: calling right at 8 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday (avoiding Mondays and Fridays), using the main 1-888-209-8124 number, and having my phone ready to dial at exactly 7:59:59 AM. If that doesn't work, I might look into that Claimyr service someone mentioned. It's ridiculous that we have to strategize this much just to reach our own state unemployment office, but at least this community has some solid practical tips. Will report back on how the early morning strategy works!

I've been struggling with this exact same issue! Reading through everyone's strategies here is incredibly helpful. I've been calling around 4:30 PM after work and always getting that "we are currently closed" message, so knowing they actually close at 5 PM explains why I keep missing them by just a few minutes. The 7:59:59 AM precision timing approach that Malik suggested sounds intense but honestly might be what it takes. I'm going to try the Tuesday morning 8 AM strategy with the main 1-888-209-8124 number. It's frustrating that getting basic help requires this level of tactical planning, but I really appreciate everyone sharing what actually works. This community is saving me from weeks more of failed attempts!

I'm having this exact same issue right now! Just finished my ID.me verification on my iPhone about 10 minutes ago and I'm stuck at that "Return to the other open browser tab" message. Reading through all these comments, it's clear the manual workaround is the way to go - opening a new tab and going directly to labor.ny.gov while keeping the ID.me tab open. It's absolutely ridiculous that such a basic redirect function has been broken for so long and they haven't fixed it! This thread has been more helpful than hours of searching the official site. About to try the workaround now - really hoping it works because I can't afford to wait much longer for my benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing actual solutions! 🙏

This exact same thing happened to me about 2 weeks ago! I was so frustrated I almost threw my phone. The mobile redirect from ID.me is completely broken - you're definitely not alone in this. Here's what finally worked: After you get stuck at that "return to other browser tab" message, DON'T close that ID.me tab. Open a brand new tab in your browser, manually type labor.ny.gov into the address bar, and log back in with your NY.gov ID credentials like you normally would. The system should immediately recognize that you completed ID.me verification and let you continue. I know it sounds too simple but that's literally all you have to do - the automatic redirect just doesn't work on mobile browsers. Keep that ID.me tab open as backup until you successfully get back into the unemployment portal though! It's honestly embarrassing that NY hasn't fixed such a basic bug but at least this workaround gets you unstuck without having to start over. You're almost there! 💪

I've been following this thread and my heart goes out to you - I was in almost the exact same situation 8 months ago when my NY benefits ran out. Single mom, two kids, worked retail for 5 years before the store closed. The panic is real and completely understandable. What saved me was attacking this from multiple angles at once instead of waiting for one perfect solution. I immediately applied for emergency assistance (SNAP, emergency rental help through my county), signed up with three different temp agencies in one week, and started doing grocery pickup shifts for Walmart on weekends. The temp work led to a permanent position after about a month - not my dream job, but steady income with benefits. One resource that really helped was contacting my local Assembly member's office - they have staff who specialize in helping constituents navigate state services and can sometimes fast-track applications or find programs you didn't know existed. Also, check if your area has any "back to work" clothing closets - having proper interview clothes made a huge difference in my confidence. The combination approach worked: temp income kept us afloat while I built toward something permanent. You're clearly a fighter and a good parent - that restaurant experience shows dedication and customer service skills that transfer everywhere. Take it one day at a time, but definitely start with the emergency assistance applications and temp agencies tomorrow. You've got this!

Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful - this community is amazing! I wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was transitioning off unemployment benefits last year. Check with your local WIC office even if you don't currently receive WIC benefits - they often have information about emergency food assistance and job training programs that aren't widely advertised. They also sometimes have partnerships with employers who specifically want to hire parents because they value the reliability that comes with having kids depending on you. Additionally, if you're comfortable with it, consider reaching out to your kids' school counselors or social workers. They often know about local resources for families in crisis and can sometimes connect you with other parents who've been through similar situations and found solutions. Schools also sometimes need substitute cafeteria workers or custodial help on short notice - not glamorous but it's immediate income and usually very flexible around your own kids' schedules. Your restaurant experience would be perfect for school food service. Stay strong - you're clearly a devoted parent and that determination will carry you through this!