I just switched to direct deposit last month and can confirm what others are saying - you don't need to give your credit union any special bank info about NYS DOL. Just log into your my.ny.gov account, go to the payment preferences section, and enter your routing and account numbers. The state treasury handles it all on the backend. My credit union initially asked the same questions but once I explained it was a government ACH transfer, they said that was fine and didn't need any originating bank details.

Just want to add that if you're having trouble accessing your my.ny.gov account to set up direct deposit, make sure you have your social security number and PIN ready. Sometimes the system locks you out if you enter the wrong info too many times. Also, double-check your bank's routing number - I made a typo the first time and it delayed my setup by another week. The customer service rep told me that most issues with direct deposit setup are due to incorrect routing numbers rather than any problems with the banking system itself.

anyone know if they backpay the weeks that were delayed? i'm in the same situation now and worried about rent

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! The key is to stay consistent with your answers and don't panic. I was also asked about self-employment even though I worked for a regular company. What helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - my W-2s, pay stubs, and even screenshots of the questions I was being asked. When I finally got through to someone, they were able to see that my employer had some coding issue in their system. The whole thing got resolved in one phone call, but it took me about 6 tries to actually reach a human. Keep trying the phone number Kaiya mentioned - the early morning slot really does work better. And yes, they will backpay everything once it's sorted out, so don't stress too much about the delay.

I swear, dealing with unemployment is like playing whack-a-mole. Fix one problem and another pops up 🙃

I had this exact same issue a few months ago! Turns out my account had been temporarily locked due to "suspicious activity" (which was just me trying to log in too many times with what I thought was the correct PIN). What finally worked for me was calling the technical support line specifically (not the general unemployment line) and explaining that I couldn't access my account despite being certain my PIN was correct. They were able to unlock it immediately and walked me through resetting it. The tech support number should be listed separately on your state's unemployment website. Hope this helps!

The whole system is set up specifically for situations like this. Employers pay unemployment insurance precisely so workers have benefits when layoffs or closures happen. NYS Department of Labor has been handling business closure claims for decades - it's routine for them. Just be honest about the closure date and reason when you file.

I went through a business closure situation about 18 months ago and wanted to share what I learned. The key thing is to file your claim as soon as possible after you get notice of the closure - don't wait until your last day of work. NYS Department of Labor can process your claim faster if you get it in early. Also, if your employer gives you any severance pay, that might delay when your benefits start, so factor that into your timing. The unemployment insurance system really does work as designed for business closures - it's probably one of the most straightforward scenarios they handle.

also apply for jobs at temp agencies while doing all this other stuff. they sometimes have same-day placements and even if its not permanent at least you'll have some income coming in. staffmark and randstad usually have openings

I went through this exact situation about a year ago. In addition to what others mentioned, definitely check if your county has a "One-Stop" career center - they often have emergency assistance funds and can help with resume writing and job placement. Also, if you have any unpaid wages from your previous employer, you can file a wage claim with NYS Department of Labor even if you were denied UI benefits. That helped me recover about $800 I was owed. Don't give up on the appeal either - bring any pay stubs or W-2s you have to show your work history. The system can be confusing but there are people who want to help you navigate it.