Check if maybe you had a short period of unemployment you forgot about? Sometimes people get confused about what year they received benefits or if they got other types of assistance that show up on 1099-G forms.

Update: I called the fraud hotline and they confirmed someone used my SSN to file a claim. The benefits were direct deposited to an account that's definitely not mine. They're opening an investigation and said I should get a corrected 1099-G in 6-8 weeks. Thanks everyone for the help - I was really panicking about this.

I just went through this exact situation 4 months ago! Got terminated in a "restructuring" (which we all know is often just an excuse) and received a settlement with severance and NDA. The settlement absolutely does NOT disqualify you from unemployment benefits - I was worried about the same thing. What matters is that your termination was involuntary, which it clearly was. When I filed my claim, I reported everything honestly - the settlement amount, dates, and circumstances of termination. NYS DOL reviewed it and approved me without any issues. The key is being transparent from day one. Don't wait to file - there's already a waiting period built in, so get the process started now. My benefits started about 3 weeks after filing, and the settlement actually helped because it provided clear documentation that the termination was the company's decision, not mine. You've got this!

I'm in a very similar boat - just got terminated last week in what they called "organizational restructuring" and I'm about to receive a settlement package. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! It's reassuring to see so many people confirm that settlements don't disqualify you from unemployment benefits as long as the termination was involuntary. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the key is being completely transparent with NYS DOL from the start and filing your claim as soon as possible. I'm planning to file mine this week. One question though - for those who went through this process, did you find it helpful to keep copies of any internal company communications about the restructuring/layoffs to support your case, or was the settlement agreement documentation sufficient on its own?

Rita, I totally feel your pain on this! I had a similar security question nightmare with the NY unemployment system a few months back. One thing that might help - have you tried accessing the site during off-peak hours like really early morning (6-7am) or late evening? Sometimes the system behaves differently when there's less traffic. Also, if you have any family members who might remember exactly how your mom's name appeared on old documents or forms, that could give you clues about variations you haven't tried yet. The NY system is notorious for storing info exactly as it was entered originally, even if there were typos. I know it's super stressful with your benefits timeline, but based on all the success stories in this thread, it sounds like there's definitely a solution out there - you just need to find the right combination. Sending you good vibes that you crack the code soon! 🤞

Rita, I just went through this exact same nightmare two weeks ago and I completely understand your frustration! 😤 After trying every variation I could think of for days, what finally worked for me was remembering that when I originally set up my account back in 2020, I was using my phone and the auto-correct changed my mother's maiden name from "Kowalski" to "Kowalsky" without me noticing. Try thinking about any possible autocorrect mistakes - especially if you set up your account on mobile during the pandemic chaos when we were all rushing to file. Also, the system might be case-sensitive in weird ways, so try your mom's name in ALL CAPS, all lowercase, and proper capitalization. I know how stressful this is with your benefits running out, but based on all these success stories, there's definitely a solution! If nothing else works, that claimyr service people mentioned actually did get me through to an agent who fixed everything in under 10 minutes. Don't give up - you're going to figure this out! 💪

Glad to hear you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always recommend calling KeyBank first when there are issues with new unemployment cards. They put security holds on probably 50% of new activations, especially for larger amounts like yours. For anyone else reading this thread with similar issues - the KeyBank number is usually much easier to get through to than NYSDOL, and they can resolve card-specific problems immediately. Thanks for updating us with the solution!

As someone who just went through the NY unemployment process myself, I can't stress enough how important it is to save KeyBank's customer service number in your phone the moment you get your card. I had a similar scare when my first payment didn't show up - turned out to be a routine verification hold that took 5 minutes to resolve once I actually got through to them. The NYSDOL phone system is basically impossible, but KeyBank is usually pretty responsive. Also, pro tip: if you ever need to make a large withdrawal or purchase, call them first to let them know - they'll flag it as fraud otherwise and freeze your card at the worst possible moment!

I went through this exact situation on my H1B about 6 months ago. Yes, you're absolutely eligible! The process was pretty straightforward - I just needed to upload my I-797 approval notice and EAD card like you mentioned. One thing to note is that you'll need to be actively searching for work and available to accept suitable employment, which shouldn't be an issue since you're authorized to work. Also, make sure to file your claim as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. The weekly benefit amount is based on your previous earnings, so with 2 years of tech salary you should get a decent amount. Don't let the stress get to you - you've been paying into the system and you deserve these benefits!

I'm a former immigration paralegal and wanted to add some important details about H1B holders and unemployment benefits. While you are eligible as others have confirmed, there are a few critical things to keep in mind: 1) H1B holders typically have a 60-day grace period to find new employment or change status after job loss, so file your UI claim immediately to maximize your benefit period. 2) Make sure your employer properly notified USCIS of your termination - this affects your legal status timeline. 3) You can receive benefits while searching for work, but if you find a job with a different employer, they'll need to file a new H1B petition (unless it's a cap-exempt position). 4) Keep all your immigration documents updated and readily available since NYS DOL may request them for periodic eligibility reviews. The good news is that receiving unemployment benefits won't negatively impact future immigration applications. Best of luck with your claim!