Just wanted to share my experience - I received my KeyBank debit card about 8 days after my first payment was issued. One thing to note is that the card comes in a plain white envelope from KeyBank, so it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it carefully. Also, make sure your address is correct in your my.ny.gov profile because that's where they'll mail it. I initially had an old address on file and had to update it before they could send a replacement card.

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.

Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the debit card! I made that mistake thinking I should wait until I got the card first. You still need to certify every week or you'll miss out on those weeks of benefits.

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.

Try a credit union if you have access to one. I had a friend who got approved for a car loan while on unemployment through her local credit union. They were much more understanding about temporary income situations than the big banks or dealership financing. Just make sure you can realistically afford the payments even if your job search takes longer than expected.

ugh the whole system is so frustrating... you need a car to find work but you need work to get a car loan. it's like they want to keep people trapped. have you looked into those buy here pay here lots? they dont care about income as much but the interest rates are insane

Look into Santander Consumer or Capital One Auto Finance - they sometimes work with non-traditional income sources. Also check if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs that might be more flexible.

Try looking at smaller, independent dealerships rather than big chain lots - they're often more willing to work with unique situations. I'd also suggest getting pre-approved through a credit union first before shopping. Navy Federal and SEFCU (if you're in the Capital Region) have been known to consider unemployment benefits. Having that pre-approval letter in hand gives you more negotiating power with dealers. Also, consider certified pre-owned vehicles instead of new ones - lower payments might make lenders more comfortable with your temporary income situation.

Just make sure you report everything honestly. NYS Department of Labor takes misrepresentation seriously and you don't want to deal with an overpayment notice later if they find discrepancies.

I went through something similar when I was laid off from my main job but still had a small freelance gig ending around the same time. Definitely file just one claim and include both employers - the system is designed to handle multiple work histories. When you get to the work history section, you'll see fields for multiple employers where you can enter dates, wages, and separation reasons for each. The NYS DOL will use whichever quarters give you the highest benefit calculation, so having both jobs reported actually works in your favor. Just keep all your documentation handy (W-2s, pay stubs, etc.) in case they need verification.