Just to add some clarity on what happens at the BYE date: 1. Your benefit rate stays exactly the same until your BYE date 2. You can collect all remaining effective days at that same rate 3. After your BYE date, you must file a new claim even if you had days remaining 4. Your new claim will have a new benefit calculation based on your base period wages 5. There will typically be a 2-3 week gap between claims while your new application processes The NY DOL should send you a notification about 2-3 weeks before your BYE date reminding you to file a new claim if you're still unemployed.

I went through this exact situation last year! My BYE was in March 2024 and I had 8 effective days left. You'll definitely get your full weekly benefit rate for all remaining days - they don't reduce it at all. Just make sure you're prepared for the processing time on your new claim. I started my new application about a week before my BYE date and it still took almost 3 weeks to get approved. The hardest part was gathering all the wage documentation from different employers during my base period. Start collecting those W-2s and pay stubs now so you're not scrambling later!

Just be transparent about it. The worst thing you can do is not report income and have them find out later. Then you're looking at overpayment notices and penalties. Better to report it and have them say it doesn't matter than to hide it and get in trouble.

I work as a benefits counselor and deal with these situations regularly. The key distinction is that workers comp settlements are typically NOT considered "wages" for unemployment purposes, especially when they're from a different employer and time period like yours. However, NYS Department of Labor does want you to report ALL income sources. When you file your weekly claim, select "other income" and briefly describe it as "workers comp settlement from previous employer injury in 2022." Since it's compensating you for past medical expenses and lost wages from before your current benefit year, it shouldn't reduce your weekly benefit amount. The fact that it's a lump sum settlement rather than ongoing payments also works in your favor. Still, definitely report it to stay compliant - transparency is always the best policy with unemployment claims.

oh and btw make sure u activate the card the SECOND u get it. cause the activation line sometimes has long wait times too. this whole system is just waiting and more waiting lol

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was so stressful! Here's what I learned: the Key2Bank card usually arrives within 7-10 business days like others mentioned, but sometimes it can be faster. When NYSDOL says benefits were "released to debit card" it means they've sent the money to Key2Bank, but Key2Bank won't show anything until you activate the card. One thing that helped me was checking my mail every single day starting day 5 - mine actually came on day 6. Also, when you do get it, have your SSN and personal info ready for activation because their phone system can be slow. The good news is once you activate it, your money should be there immediately! Hang in there - I know waiting for money you need is the worst feeling, but it will come!

The NYS Department of Labor system is so frustrating for situations like this! They expect you to navigate all this bureaucracy when you're already dealing with mental health issues. I hope you get the help you need. Document everything and don't give up if they initially deny you - appeals are always an option.

I went through this exact situation last year and was approved for unemployment benefits. The key things that helped my case: 1) I had detailed documentation from my psychiatrist explaining how my anxiety disorder made it impossible to perform my specific job duties, 2) I worked with my doctor to show I was actively seeking treatment and would be able to work in a different environment once stabilized, and 3) I was honest during the phone interview about my situation. The adjudication process took about 3 weeks, but they ultimately ruled in my favor. Don't let anyone discourage you - mental health is just as valid as physical health reasons. Make sure to emphasize that you're seeking treatment and want to return to work when you're able.

I want to update everyone - I FINALLY got this resolved! I ended up doing several things at once: 1) contacted my assembly member as suggested, 2) used Claimyr to get through to NYSDOL directly, and 3) re-uploaded my ID documents. Turns out there WAS an identity verification issue. The agent I spoke to was able to see that my documents never fully processed in the system. She manually verified everything while on the phone with me, and my claim was reactivated within 48 hours. All my backpay is scheduled to be deposited next Tuesday! Thank you all SO MUCH for your help - I was seriously about to give up.

Wow, this thread is such a goldmine of information! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my benefits got cut off unexpectedly back in October. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions gives me hope that I can get this sorted out too. I'm definitely going to try the assemblyperson route first since multiple people mentioned success with that approach. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but at least there are people like you all sharing what actually works. Thanks for taking the time to update us on your resolution @Destiny Bryant - stories like yours keep the rest of us going!