I'm on day 3 of waiting for my claim to be reviewed after being laid off from my accounting firm due to downsizing, and this entire thread has been such a godsend for my anxiety! Before finding this, I was convinced that "under review" meant something was wrong with my application. It's incredibly reassuring to see that the 7-10 business day timeline is so consistent across everyone's experiences, regardless of when they applied. The obsessive portal checking is so real - I've been refreshing it probably every few hours thinking somehow it would magically update with more information. I'm definitely going to try that once-a-day rule that multiple people have recommended. It's frustrating that NYS DOL's system is so opaque compared to other government services, but knowing this wait is completely normal makes it so much more bearable. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines!

I'm on day 12 of waiting for my unemployment claim review after being laid off when my company eliminated my entire department. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was starting to worry since I'm past that 7-10 day window most people mentioned, but seeing Geoff and Lucas's experiences with approvals at day 11+ gives me hope! The "under review" status really is maddening when you're trying to budget and plan ahead. I've definitely been guilty of the obsessive portal checking too, sometimes multiple times per day hoping for any kind of update. Starting tomorrow I'm going to commit to the once-daily rule that everyone keeps recommending. It's crazy how much anxiety this process creates on top of already dealing with job loss. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines - it really helps to know we're all going through the same nerve-wracking wait!

I work at a post office and can confirm what everyone is saying - these KeyBank unemployment cards do come in very plain envelopes that look like regular business mail or even credit card offers. We see them all the time and honestly, they're designed to be discreet for security reasons. A few tips from the postal side: The envelope will usually have a barcode at the bottom, standard first-class postage, and the KeyBank return address (often from their Ohio processing center). If you're really worried about missing it, you can put a mail hold at your local post office and pick up your mail in person for a week or two while you're expecting it. That way nothing gets lost or accidentally thrown away. Just bring ID and they can hold your mail for up to 30 days. Also, if you have a mailbox that's easily accessible to others, consider getting mail delivery to your local post office instead during this time - it's called General Delivery and it's free.

I just wanted to add that if you're checking your mail regularly but still haven't received your card after 2 weeks, there's another option to consider. You can actually access your benefits online through the KeyBank website even before the physical card arrives. Once your payment is issued (which you can see in your NY unemployment portal), you can create an online account with KeyBank using your SSN and some personal info. From there you can see your balance and even transfer money to your own bank account if needed. I had to do this when my card was delayed by almost 3 weeks due to a postal issue in my area. It was a lifesaver because I could still access my benefits while waiting for the replacement card to arrive. Just make sure to keep the card request active with KeyBank even if you're accessing funds online, since you'll eventually need it for ATM access and in-person purchases.

Just keep checking your account daily. Sometimes the status changes without any notification. Also make sure you're keeping up with any job search requirements even during the review - they'll ask about that later if you get approved.

I went through the same thing about 6 months ago - the "under review" status is totally normal and doesn't mean there's a problem with your claim. NYS DOL has to verify everything before they can start paying benefits. In my case, it took about 3.5 weeks and then I got approved with full backpay. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications even while it's under review - don't skip any weeks or you'll lose those payments even after approval. Also, they do contact your former employer automatically to verify the reason for separation, so you don't need to do anything on that front. Try not to stress too much about it!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - filed 3 weeks ago and still showing $0.00. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here! @Esteban Tate your advice about checking the Messages section is super helpful, gonna do that right now. It's so frustrating not being able to get through on the phone but sounds like persistence is key. At least knowing I'm not alone in this makes me feel a bit better 😅

Ugh, this is so relatable! I've been stuck at $0.00 for 2 weeks now and it's driving me crazy. Really helpful to see all the advice here - definitely going to check my Messages section like @Esteban Tate suggested since I might have missed something important. Also considering that claimyr service @Natasha Volkova mentioned since I'm getting nowhere with regular calling. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, makes me feel less alone in this mess! 🤞

I went through something similar last year and want to share what worked for me. I called NYSDOL at 8:30 AM on a Tuesday (seems like early mornings on weekdays work best) and was honest about forgetting to include a part-time job from my base period. The agent was actually really understanding and walked me through the monetary redetermination process right over the phone. They had me email copies of my W-2 and final pay stub to a specific address they gave me, along with a brief letter explaining the oversight. The whole thing was resolved in about 2-3 weeks. In my case, adding the job actually increased my weekly benefit amount slightly, so they sent me a small back payment for the difference. The key things that helped: 1) I called them instead of waiting for them to find it, 2) I had all my documentation ready, and 3) I was completely upfront that it was an honest mistake. Don't stress too much about it - they really do see this kind of thing regularly!

I actually work for a benefits consulting firm and see these situations frequently. The good news is that NYSDOL is generally reasonable about genuine oversights, especially when you self-report. A few practical tips: 1) When you call, ask specifically for a "monetary redetermination due to unreported base period wages" - using this exact language will get you to the right department faster. 2) Have your Social Security number, original claim confirmation number, and the employer's name/EIN ready before calling. 3) They'll likely ask you to estimate your total earnings from that job, so calculate that beforehand. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks once they receive your documentation, and you'll get a written determination in the mail explaining any changes to your benefit amount. Don't worry about fraud allegations - those are reserved for cases involving intentional deception or patterns of non-disclosure.