This thread has been super helpful! I'm actually in the exact same boat - payment showing released from 11/14 but KeyBank says no pending deposit. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like there's definitely been system issues with batch releases since their platform update. I'm going to follow the same steps: call KeyBank first to confirm (already did), then use that Claimyr service to reach an actual NYSDOL agent. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and the specific phone numbers/resources. It's so frustrating when the automated system says everything is fine but your money is nowhere to be found!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My payment has been showing "Released" since 11/16 but still nothing on my KeyBank card as of today. After reading through all these comments, it's clear this is a widespread problem with their system updates. I called KeyBank first like everyone suggested (1-866-295-2955) and they confirmed no pending deposits from NYSDOL. Really frustrating when you're counting on that money! Going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned since it seems like the only reliable way to actually reach a human at NYSDOL these days. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is a lifesaver for people dealing with these payment glitches!

If you're having trouble figuring out which benefit to apply for or need to talk to someone about your specific situation, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to a real person at the various agencies. They helped me connect with the right department instead of getting stuck in phone trees. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to sort out these confusing situations.

Just want to add some clarity on the workers comp angle since you mentioned it was a work injury. Workers compensation is administered separately from NYS Department of Labor unemployment and disability benefits - it's usually handled through your employer's insurance carrier. If your injury happened at work, you should definitely explore workers comp first since it typically provides better coverage and protects your job. You can potentially receive workers comp and state disability simultaneously in some cases, but never unemployment while you're unable to work. I'd suggest contacting your HR department about workers comp procedures if you haven't already.

I'm new to this community and this thread is exactly what I needed to find! I'm in a really similar situation - my benefit year is ending next month and I've been stressing about what happens next. I did work for about 8 weeks at a retail job during my benefit year but only made around $2,100. Reading everyone's experiences here is both scary and hopeful at the same time. The part about different base periods and quarters is confusing but gives me some hope since I was working full-time before my original layoff. I had no idea about things like Section 596 claims or the workforce development programs that extend benefits during training - this community is a goldmine of information! One thing that really stands out is how many people are recommending to actually talk to a real person instead of trying to figure it out online. The claimyr service keeps getting mentioned and honestly after reading all these success stories, I'm probably going to try it when my time comes. Spending money to save weeks of frustration and get real answers seems worth it. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's making me feel way less alone in dealing with this stressful situation. Going to bookmark this thread and definitely file a new claim when my benefit year ends, even if I'm not sure I'll qualify. You never know!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! My benefit year ends in early November and I've been absolutely terrified about what comes next. Like many of you, I worked part-time during my benefit year - about 12 weeks at a grocery store making roughly $2,600 total - and assumed that wouldn't be nearly enough to qualify for a new claim. But reading through everyone's experiences here, especially Isabella's story about qualifying when she thought she wouldn't, is giving me real hope. The fact that they might look at base periods differently than I understood, and that the calculations are more complex than just the simple 10x rule, makes me think I might actually have a chance. What really strikes me is how many people are saying the online information is basically useless and you HAVE to talk to an actual person to get real answers. I've been trying to call for weeks with no luck, but after seeing so many success stories with Claimyr, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and try it. At this point the stress of not knowing is worse than the cost of getting through to someone who can give me definitive answers. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is providing more helpful information than months of trying to navigate the official website. I'm definitely going to file a new claim when my benefit year ends, regardless of what I think my chances are. Will update you all on how it goes!

I went through a NYS Department of Labor appeal hearing about 6 months ago and can share some insights on costs. Most unemployment lawyers I contacted quoted between $300-600/hour for hourly rates, but several offered contingency arrangements around 25-30% of recovered benefits. Given your $6,300 in total benefits at stake, a contingency fee could run $1,575-$1,890 if you win. However, I'd strongly recommend getting a consultation first (many lawyers offer free 15-30 minute consultations for unemployment cases) to assess the strength of your employer's challenge. Some red flags that might warrant legal help: if they're alleging specific misconduct with documentation, if there are complex employment law issues involved, or if they have witness statements against you. On the flip side, if it's a straightforward layoff/downsizing situation and they're just going through the motions, you might be able to handle it yourself with good preparation. Also worth noting - some lawyers will take unemployment cases on a reduced flat fee basis (I've seen $800-1,500) rather than hourly or contingency, which might be more predictable for your budget.

I'm facing a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that you should also check if your state has any free legal aid services for unemployment cases. I found out that New York has some nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost assistance for unemployment appeals, especially if you meet certain income requirements. The Legal Aid Society and some local bar associations sometimes have volunteer lawyers who help with these cases. It might be worth calling around before paying for a private attorney. Also, I've heard that some union members have access to legal services through their union even after termination - not sure if that applies to your situation but could be another avenue to explore. The NYS Department of Labor website also has some self-help resources and sample forms that might be useful if you decide to represent yourself.

I'm going through this exact same issue right now! Been waiting 12 days since I completed ID.me verification and DOL keeps saying they don't see it in their system. This is so frustrating because I have the confirmation email and everything. Reading through these comments is actually really helpful - I didn't know about asking for Tier 2 specialists or the "identity verification queue" that @Miguel mentioned. Going to try calling tomorrow and specifically ask for someone who can check that queue. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts in their internal systems just to get our benefits released! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, at least I know I'm not alone in this mess.

This ID.me verification nightmare is exactly why I switched to documenting everything when dealing with NY unemployment. I keep screenshots of every step, save all confirmation emails, and even record the date/time I completed each process. When this happened to me in December, having that documentation made all the difference. The agent was able to use my timestamps to locate my verification in their system. Pro tip: if you haven't already, log back into your ID.me account and take screenshots of your completed verification status page - sometimes the agents can use that info to manually locate your record in their database. It's crazy that we have to do their job for them, but at least it gets results faster than waiting for their systems to sync properly.