Just to follow up - when you're approaching the end of your benefit year, the system often does additional automated checks. Since you mentioned you did some part-time work recently, that could definitely trigger a review. The good news is that these reviews generally get resolved positively if everything was reported correctly. I recommend checking your payment history daily and also keeping an eye on your correspondence inbox on the portal. If nothing updates by Monday, definitely pursue getting through to an agent as others have suggested.

I'm going through something similar right now! My payment for this week is also missing and I'm supposed to have one more week left after this. I certified on Sunday morning and usually get paid by Wednesday, but it's Thursday and nothing. When I check my payment history, this week just shows "pending" instead of the usual "processed" status. I haven't gotten any messages in my portal either. It's so frustrating because like you, I really need this payment. I'm going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning - maybe we'll both have better luck then!

Hey Luca! Just wanted to add that you should also make sure you're meeting the work search requirements while your claim is pending. In NY you need to make at least 3 work search contacts per week and keep records of them. You can do this through job applications, contacting employers directly, or attending job fairs. Don't forget to log these in your weekly certification - it's required even during the pending period. Good luck with your claim!

Just went through this same situation a few months ago! The waiting week elimination is still in effect for 2025, so you should get paid for your first week of unemployment once approved. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - make sure you have direct deposit set up in your my.ny.gov account because paper checks can add extra delays. Also, keep all your employment documents handy (last pay stub, separation notice if you got one) in case they need additional verification. The restaurant industry layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for approval since it's clearly not your fault. Hang in there!

Hey Emma, congratulations on finally getting your back payments! That's such a relief after all that stress and uncertainty. I'm actually going through something very similar right now - I've been waiting 5 days since NY DOL told me my back payments from February were "approved for release." Your 8-day timeline is really encouraging and gives me hope that mine should come through soon too. It's so frustrating how they can't give you any concrete dates, just vague "soon" responses. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with your actual timeline - it's incredibly helpful for those of us still in the waiting game to have realistic expectations instead of just wondering endlessly!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. After they told me my back payments were "approved for release," it took exactly 9 business days for the money to hit my account. I was getting really anxious around day 7-8, but then it just appeared one morning with no advance notice. The key thing I learned is that there's a difference between "approved for release" and actually being in the payment queue - they have to go through several internal processing steps even after approval. My advice is to check your account every morning but try not to stress too much until you hit the 2-week mark. The system is slow but it does work eventually. Hang in there Emma and congrats on finally getting your money! Your update will definitely help others who find themselves in this same frustrating situation.

I was in a very similar situation - got laid off in September but didn't file until December because I was confident I'd land something quickly. NYS DOL approved my backdating request once I explained that I genuinely believed unemployment was meant as a last resort and had been actively interviewing. The key thing that helped my case was showing a clear timeline of my job search efforts during those months. I submitted screenshots of job applications, interview confirmations, and even rejection emails to prove I was pursuing work rather than just delaying. They ended up giving me back pay for about 8 weeks out of the 12 I requested. Don't let the fear of rejection stop you from trying - the worst they can say is no to some of the weeks, but you'll still get benefits going forward.

I went through this exact situation last year! The good news is that NYS DOL does allow backdating in cases like yours where you had legitimate reasons for not filing immediately. Since you mentioned your entire department was laid off, that actually strengthens your case - it shows this wasn't a voluntary quit or misconduct situation. When you file, be very clear in your explanation that you believed unemployment was meant as a last resort and that you were actively pursuing employment during those three months. Document everything you can - job applications, interview schedules, networking emails, even LinkedIn messages. The fact that you're within the one-year window means you're still eligible. I'd recommend filing online as soon as possible and requesting backdating for the full period. Even if they only approve partial backdating, you'll start receiving benefits immediately going forward. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good here - file now rather than waiting any longer!

Hey

Just went through this exact same situation last month! One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you call KeyBank, make sure you have a pen and paper ready because they'll give you a reference number for your replacement card request. Write it down! I forgot to do this and when I called back to check on the status, they had to look me up all over again. Also, if you're really in a bind financially while waiting for the new card, some banks will let you do an emergency cash advance at a branch location using your ID and account info, though there might be fees involved. Hope you get your replacement card quickly!