I'm new to this community and dealing with the exact same situation! Certified on Sunday, got the "payment released" email on Monday, and it's now been 5 days with no deposit. I've been a nervous wreck thinking I did something wrong with my certification or that there was an issue with my direct deposit info. Finding this thread has been such a relief - it's clear this is a widespread problem affecting tons of people with identical timelines. I can't believe NYSDOL didn't send out any advance notice about potential delays when they implemented their new fraud prevention system. We depend on these payments for rent, groceries, and other essentials - the lack of communication is really unacceptable. I'm going to start by calling my bank tomorrow to rule out any holds on their end, then maybe try that Claimyr service if I need to reach someone at NYSDOL directly. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and keeping each other informed. It really helps to know we're not alone in this!

Just wanted to add my voice to this discussion as someone experiencing the exact same issue! I certified last Sunday, got the "payment released" email Monday morning, and here I am on day 5 with nothing in my bank account. Like so many others here, this has never happened to me before - my unemployment payments have always shown up within 24-48 hours of the release notification. I was starting to panic thinking I'd made some mistake or that there was a problem with my account, but reading through all these comments has been such a huge relief. It's clear this is a widespread system issue affecting tons of people with identical timelines. The fact that NYSDOL didn't warn claimants about potential delays when they rolled out this new fraud prevention system is really frustrating - we're already dealing with financial stress and need to be able to plan accordingly. I'm going to call my bank tomorrow morning to make sure they're not holding anything on their end, and if that doesn't resolve it, I'll look into that Claimyr service. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creating this supportive space. It really helps knowing we're all going through this together!

just a heads up - if you received unemployment in 2024 make sure youre using the right tax forms. the rules changed a bit from covid years. also check if you qualify for any credits that might offset what you owe

One thing that might help is to look into making quarterly estimated tax payments if you think you might need unemployment benefits again in the future. Since UI benefits don't have automatic withholding like regular paychecks, you can avoid a big tax bill by setting aside money throughout the year. I also recommend keeping detailed records of all your unemployment payments in case there are any discrepancies with the 1099-G form you receive.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my two kids. You can definitely get both - I'm still receiving SNAP even while getting unemployment. The key thing is to be completely honest on your SNAP application about receiving unemployment. They'll calculate your SNAP benefits based on your total household income including the unemployment payments. For a family of 3, you might still qualify for a decent amount even with unemployment income. Also, don't forget to look into WIC if your kids are under 5 - that's separate from SNAP and really helpful for families. The whole process takes a few weeks so definitely get both applications in as soon as possible.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that the local DSS offices can be really helpful if you can get there in person. I know it's hard with kids but when I applied for SNAP, the caseworker walked me through exactly how my unemployment benefits would affect my food stamp amount. They have calculators that show you right away what you'd qualify for. Also, if you're having trouble with childcare for job searching while on unemployment, some counties have emergency childcare assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. Don't give up if the first application seems overwhelming - there are people there to help you navigate it all.

just be honest about everything and you'll be fine, the system is set up to catch people who try to cheat but if you report your work they usually just reduce your benefits for that week

Just to add to what others have said - NYS Department of Labor also receives data from the State Directory of New Hires, which employers must report to within 20 days of hiring someone. They also do periodic cross-matches with Social Security Administration records and state tax databases. The bottom line is they have multiple ways to detect unreported work, so transparency is definitely your best policy. When you certify for benefits each week, report ANY work you did during that week, even if it was just a few hours or you haven't been paid yet. It's much better to have your benefits reduced correctly than to face fraud charges later.

Just went through this myself - my benefits ended exactly at 26 weeks. Make sure you file your final weekly claim even if it shows 0 days remaining, sometimes there are small adjustments. Also start preparing now for what you'll do after benefits end. The job search pressure definitely increases when you're getting close to the deadline.

@Zainab Yusuf - I'm currently at week 20 myself so I understand the anxiety! One thing that really helped me was calling my local One-Stop Career Center. They have counselors who can help you prepare for when benefits end and sometimes know about programs or temporary assistance that might bridge the gap. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're signed up for job alerts on multiple platforms so you're not missing any opportunities in these final weeks. The countdown is stressful but you've got this!