keep all your documentation!! job search logs, any correspondence with employers, everything. if they do come after you for overpayment you'll need proof that you followed all the rules

I went through this exact situation about a year ago and can share some insights. Yes, you typically do have to pay back overpayments, but the circumstances matter a lot. In my case, I had to repay about $1,200 because I made an honest mistake reporting my part-time earnings one week. However, NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty reasonable about it - they offered me a payment plan of $75/month and didn't charge any interest or penalties since it wasn't considered fraud. The key is to respond quickly if you get an overpayment notice and be completely honest about what happened. They can usually tell the difference between an innocent mistake and intentional deception. Also, definitely keep doing what you're doing with documentation - that saved me during my appeal process.

Same thing here - got the scary letter but it was just their computer system being dumb. As long as you've been honest about your work and reporting everything on your weekly claims you should be fine.

I went through this exact same thing last year! The "potential overpayment" notice scared me too but it really is just their standard review process. In my case, it was because I had reported some freelance work but the timing of when I got paid versus when I reported it on my weekly certification got mixed up in their system. I gathered all my documentation - pay stubs, bank statements showing deposit dates, and screenshots of my weekly claim submissions - and sent everything in before the deadline. Took about 6 weeks but they eventually cleared it and I didn't owe anything. The key is responding promptly with all your records. Don't let it stress you out too much, these automated reviews happen all the time and most get resolved in the claimant's favor when they've been reporting honestly like you have.

Same thing happened to me - filed the day after my layoff and had benefits within two weeks. Just make sure you have all your employment dates and salary info ready when you apply.

Just to add some clarity - you definitely want to file immediately with NYS DOL. I made the mistake of waiting "until everything was sorted out" with my employer and lost almost 3 weeks of potential benefits. The application itself is pretty straightforward on their website, you'll just need your last employer's info, your SSN, and details about your work history. One tip: if you're having trouble with the website during peak hours, try filing early morning or late evening when traffic is lighter. Good luck!

Yes, they absolutely do call! I just went through this process last month. NYS DOL called me after 18 days of pending adjudication status. They left a voicemail with my claim number and a direct callback number, giving me 48 hours to respond. The interview was about 25 minutes and they asked detailed questions about my separation from my previous employer and work search efforts. What really saved me was setting up a specific ringtone for unknown numbers so I wouldn't miss the call. They also sent a correspondence through my online account the same day they left the voicemail, so definitely keep checking both. The rep told me that phone interviews are pretty standard for most adjudication cases, especially if there are any questions about eligibility or separation circumstances. My claim was resolved within 5 business days after the phone interview. Keep your phone charged and volume up - you don't want to miss it!

Just wanted to share my recent experience to hopefully ease some anxiety! I was in the exact same situation about 6 weeks ago - pending adjudication with no updates for what felt like forever. NYS DOL did call me after 16 days, and honestly it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. They left a clear voicemail with a reference number and gave me 3 business days to call back. The interview was straightforward - mostly verifying the information I had already provided online about why I left my job. The whole call took about 30 minutes and the representative was actually quite helpful and patient. My biggest tip: write down all your employment dates, reasons for leaving, and any documentation you have BEFORE they call, so you're not scrambling to find information during the interview. Also, I noticed they called between 10 AM and 3 PM on weekdays, so try to keep your phone handy during those hours. Your two weeks of waiting is still within the normal timeframe, so try not to stress too much. They will contact you when they need additional info!

Have you tried calling KeyBank directly at their unemployment card customer service line? They might be able to give you more specific information about your card status than the general DOL office. Also, if you're really worried about it being stolen from your mailbox, you could contact your local post office and ask them to hold mail for pickup - that way future important mail won't sit in an unsecured mailbox. I know it's stressful when rent is due, but hopefully one of these tracking methods will give you some answers soon.

You can also check your claim status online through the NY DOL website to see if there are any holds or issues that might be delaying card shipment. Sometimes there are identity verification steps that need to be completed before the card gets sent out. Also, if you need money urgently for rent, you might want to ask family/friends for a short-term loan since even if you get the card tomorrow it can take a day or two to activate it and access funds. Definitely try the KeyBank tracking and calling their unemployment card line - they're usually more helpful than the general DOL phone system.