same thing happened to my cousin she refused a job and they stopped her payments for like 6 weeks until she appealed

Based on what you've described, you likely have valid grounds to refuse this offer. A $2/hour pay cut plus the significantly longer commute (45 min vs 15 min each way) are both legitimate factors that could make this job "unsuitable" under NYS Department of Labor guidelines. When you refuse, be sure to clearly document both the wage reduction and the excessive travel time in your refusal. During your next weekly certification, you'll report the job offer and refusal - make sure to provide detailed reasons in the comments section. If they do flag your claim for review, don't panic. You'll have the opportunity to present your case, and based on the factors you've mentioned, you should have a strong argument for why this position wasn't suitable employment for you.

I threw mine away by mistake thinking it was a credit card offer! Had to call NYS Department of Labor to get a replacement which took another 2 weeks. The envelope really doesn't make it clear what it is. If you're expecting it, just keep any mail from KeyBank until you can check what it is.

Just wanted to share my experience - I almost missed mine too! The KeyBank envelope is pretty generic looking and if you're not expecting it, it totally looks like credit card junk mail. Mine took about 10 days to arrive after my first payment posted. Pro tip: if you're worried about missing it, you can actually call KeyBank's unemployment card customer service line to confirm they have your correct mailing address on file. Better safe than sorry!

One thing I learned the hard way is to activate your KeyBank debit card as soon as you receive it! I waited a few days thinking I could activate it later, but then when I tried to use it at an ATM, it was declined. Had to call the activation number and they told me there's a time limit for activation after the card is mailed. Also, if you lose the card or it gets stolen, KeyBank will overnight a replacement for free, which is pretty convenient.

I've been through this process recently and wanted to add a few more details that might help. The KeyBank debit card is definitely what NYS DOL uses, but here are some tips: You can track your payment status through the my.ny.gov portal to see when your first payment is issued, which gives you a better idea of when to expect the card. Also, if you're worried about mail delivery, you can sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to get email notifications when mail is coming to your address. That way you won't miss the plain white envelope from KeyBank that others mentioned. The card itself has "New York State" branding on it, so it's clearly marked as a government benefits card once you receive it.

For what it's worth, I just went through this process last month. The KeyBank debit card does come automatically once your first payment is processed - no action needed on your part. But I'd echo what others said about considering direct deposit. I initially used the debit card for a couple weeks but then switched to direct deposit because the ATM fees were adding up. You can change your payment method online pretty easily through your NY.gov account once your claim is established. Also, don't stress too much about missing anything - the system is pretty straightforward once you get your first payment processed.

Just want to add that when you do get the KeyBank debit card, make sure to read the fine print that comes with it. There are some daily withdrawal limits (I think it's $500 per day) and you can only make a certain number of free transactions per month at non-KeyBank locations. I learned this the hard way when I was trying to withdraw larger amounts to pay rent. Also, if you lose the card, there's a replacement fee, so keep it safe! The direct deposit option really is more convenient if you have a bank account set up already.

I'm also pretty new to NY unemployment (started my claim about 6 weeks ago) and this thread has been so reassuring! I was literally about to call NYSDOL tomorrow to ask about this exact holiday timing question, but now I know it's just a standard one-day delay. One small thing I learned that might help other newcomers - if you're using a mobile banking app, many of them will send you a push notification the moment a deposit hits your account, even if it's at 3 AM. I set this up after my first payment because I was obsessively checking my balance every hour! Now I just wake up to the notification on the delayed day and know everything went through as expected. It's such a relief to find a community where people actually share these practical details. The official NYSDOL website makes everything sound so formal and complicated, but hearing from people who've been through it makes it much less intimidating. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm also new to NY unemployment (just started my claim 3 weeks ago) and had this exact same worry about the President's Day holiday! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the consistent one-day delay rule for federal holidays. Reading everyone's experiences and tips has been so reassuring. I was starting to stress about my Tuesday payment potentially being late, but now I know to just expect it on Wednesday instead. The suggestions about setting up bank notifications and keeping a holiday calendar are brilliant - I'm definitely going to implement both of those strategies. It's amazing how much clearer everything becomes when you hear from people who've actually navigated this system. The official NYSDOL information never explains these practical details that make such a difference for planning your budget. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge, and especially to the original poster for asking the question so many of us newcomers were wondering about!