Going through this exact same thing right now and it's honestly so nerve-wracking! Got my withdrawal letter about a week ago and have been obsessively checking my online account every day since. 😅 Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring though - sounds like most people do get resolved in their favor eventually. The 30-day timeline @Madeline Blaze mentioned gives me some hope that there's actually a deadline they have to meet. One question for those who've been through this - did you guys notice any pattern in what triggers these withdrawals? Like was there something specific in your case that might have flagged it for review? Trying to figure out if this is just random quality control or if there was something I should have done differently. Also definitely going to start checking my physical mailbox daily now after @Nia Davis's tip! I've been so focused on digital communications that I totally overlooked regular mail. Thanks @AstroAdventurer for starting this thread - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with this bureaucratic maze! 🤝

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's completely new to the unemployment system but has been lurking and learning from everyone's posts. This whole withdrawal process sounds incredibly stressful and I really feel for everyone going through it right now! 😔 From reading through all the comments, it seems like the key takeaways are: - Keep certifying weekly no matter what - Check both email AND physical mail daily - Document everything - The 30-day timeline rule gives some structure - Most people seem to get resolved favorably with backpay @AstroAdventurer thanks for being brave enough to post about this - I'm sure there are tons of people dealing with similar situations who are finding comfort in knowing they're not alone. The unemployment system seems like such a maze to navigate! Question for the group: for those who got favorable outcomes, was there anything specific you think helped your case during the fact-finding process? Or was it mostly just a matter of waiting it out and responding quickly when they asked for info? Sending good vibes to everyone waiting for their determinations! 🤞✨

The unemployment system is so frustrating when you're dealing with health issues on top of everything else. They make it seem like you have to be 100% healthy to qualify for anything. Hope you figure out a solution that works for your situation.

I'm going through something similar right now. From what I've learned, you might want to look into Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) first if your employer offers it - that could protect your job while you're dealing with your health issues. For unemployment, the "able and available" requirement is really strict, but there are some exceptions. If you can do certain types of work with accommodations, document that with your doctor. Also, New York has Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) through the state that might be more appropriate than unemployment if you're unable to work due to illness. You can apply for TDI through the Workers' Compensation Board, not the Department of Labor. It's worth exploring all your options before deciding which route to take.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for the determination letter. The uncertainty is really stressful, especially when you're trying to budget and plan for the weeks ahead. From what I've been reading online, it seems like NYS DOL is still dealing with backlogs from the pandemic era, which might be contributing to the delays. I've been trying to stay patient but it's hard when bills are piling up. Has anyone tried reaching out to their local assemblyperson or senator's office? I heard sometimes they can help expedite things or at least get you a status update.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed my claim 18 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for that determination letter. The "under review" status is driving me crazy! I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some update. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though. It sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, especially if there are no complications with your claim. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to panic yet. The layoff situation should work in your favor since it's not a voluntary quit. I'm trying to remind myself that no news isn't necessarily bad news - they're probably just working through a backlog. Hang in there!

I went through this exact situation last year when I was laid off from a $95k job. The $504 max is definitely a shock at first, but here's what helped me: Start applying immediately since there's a waiting week, set up direct deposit to get payments faster, and consider this an opportunity to reassess your expenses. I actually ended up finding a better position within 12 weeks. Also, don't forget you might be eligible for COBRA subsidies or marketplace health insurance to help with medical coverage during the transition.

@Giovanni Greco I feel your pain - I went through the same shock when I got laid off from a $120k job last year. The $504 max is brutal when you're used to higher earnings, but here are some practical tips that helped me survive those 4 months: 1) File your claim TODAY - don't wait, the sooner you start the process the better. 2) Start cutting non-essential expenses immediately (streaming services, dining out, etc). 3) Look into freelance or contract work in your field - you can still collect partial benefits if you earn under a certain threshold. 4) Network aggressively - most good jobs come through connections, not job boards. 5) Consider this time to maybe pivot to an even better role. The financial stress is real, but try to view this as a temporary setback rather than a catastrophe. You've got valuable experience at that salary level, so you're marketable. Hang in there!

This is definitely identity theft - the fact that someone updated your address and SSN info in February without your knowledge is a dead giveaway. I went through something similar last year and here's what worked for me: 1) Report it to NYSDOL's fraud hotline (keep trying different times), 2) File a police report immediately, 3) Contact the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, 4) Freeze your credit at all three bureaus, and 5) Check if any money was actually loaded onto that KeyBank card. The sooner you act, the easier it'll be to resolve. Don't panic but definitely treat this as urgent - unemployment fraud often leads to other types of identity theft. Document everything and keep detailed records of all your calls and reports.

Wow, this is exactly what happened to me 6 months ago! The KeyBank card showing up out of nowhere was such a shock. I had the same situation - my benefits had ended, I was working again, and suddenly this card arrives. Turns out someone in California had been filing claims using my SSN. The worst part was that they had already collected about $3,000 before I caught it. Here's what I learned: don't just focus on the unemployment office (though definitely keep trying to reach them). Contact KeyBank directly and ask them to send you a transaction history for the card - this will show you if any money has been loaded and spent. In my case, seeing those transactions was crucial evidence for my fraud case. Also, I found that emailing the NYSDOL fraud department got me a faster response than calling. Try fraud@labor.ny.gov with "URGENT: Identity Theft - Fraudulent KeyBank Card" in the subject line. Include your SSN, the card details, and explain that someone updated your info without permission. One more tip - set up account monitoring with the Social Security Administration online. Identity thieves often target multiple government benefits, so you want to make sure they're not trying to mess with your Social Security too. You're doing the right things by acting fast. This stuff is unfortunately super common right now but it IS fixable. Just document everything and don't give up on getting through to the right people!