I'm in a similar situation - got approved about a week ago and still waiting for my card. Reading these responses is really helpful! I didn't know about checking the payment history on my.ny.gov, so I'll definitely do that. The timing stress is real when you're counting on these benefits. Has anyone had issues with the card not arriving and had to request a replacement?

I just went through this same process a few weeks ago. My timeline was: approved on a Tuesday, first payment issued the following Monday, and the KeyBank card arrived exactly 8 business days after the payment was issued. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you need the money, but it sounds like you're right on track with the normal timeline. Once you get the card, make sure to set up the KeyBank app - it makes checking your balance and finding ATMs much easier than calling the phone number on the back of the card.

I went through a business closure situation about 18 months ago and wanted to share what I learned. The key thing is to file your claim as soon as possible after you get notice of the closure - don't wait until your last day of work. NYS Department of Labor can process your claim faster if you get it in early. Also, if your employer gives you any severance pay, that might delay when your benefits start, so factor that into your timing. The unemployment insurance system really does work as designed for business closures - it's probably one of the most straightforward scenarios they handle.

Just want to add some reassurance from another perspective - I work in HR and have helped employees through several business closures over the years. The unemployment system is actually very well designed for exactly this scenario. Your employer has been paying quarterly unemployment insurance taxes based on your wages for as long as you've worked there, so those funds are already secured in the state trust fund regardless of what happens to the company financially. The NYS Department of Labor processes business closure claims routinely - they see it as one of the clearest cases for benefit eligibility since it's obviously not the employee's fault. Make sure to keep any documentation about the closure (emails, notices, etc.) just in case, but in my experience these claims get approved smoothly. The main thing is don't delay filing once your separation date is set.

Thanks for asking this question! I always wondered the same thing. Makes sense that it's employer-funded since they're the ones doing the hiring and firing decisions.

This is really helpful to understand! I had no idea employers were paying quarterly taxes for this. It makes me wonder - does this mean that companies with better employee retention actually save money on these taxes? Like if a tech company rarely has layoffs, do they pay less than a seasonal business that has to let people go every winter?

The NYS Department of Labor will look at whether you willfully violated company policy or if there were circumstances beyond your control. Health issues that prevent you from working are usually considered beyond your control. Make sure you have documentation ready in case they request it during the adjudication process. Also keep doing your job search activities while you wait for the decision on your claim.

I went through something similar - was discharged for attendance issues related to a chronic condition. The NYS Department of Labor approved my claim because I was able to show that my absences were health-related and not willful misconduct. Key things that helped me: 1) I was honest about the discharge reason when filing, 2) I had medical documentation ready (even partial records help), and 3) I emphasized that I intended to return to work and wasn't abandoning the job. The adjudication took about 4-5 weeks but it was worth the wait. Don't let the discharge discourage you from applying - you have a good chance of approval given the medical circumstances.

I've been documenting my job searches in a simple Word document and it's worked fine during my claim reviews. Just include: date, company name, position title, how you applied (website, email, in-person), and contact info if available. Don't overthink it - NYS Department of Labor just wants to see you're making genuine efforts. Also, attending virtual job fairs and career webinars count toward your 3 weekly activities, which helped me when physical applications were slim. The key is consistency in your record-keeping format.

Just want to add that if you're using LinkedIn for job searching, make sure to document those applications too! I've been applying through LinkedIn Easy Apply and it definitely counts toward the 3 weekly requirements. I include the LinkedIn job posting URL in my log along with the standard info (company, position, date). Also, don't forget that updating your resume or LinkedIn profile can count as a job search activity - I learned this from a NYS Department of Labor rep. It's helpful when you're having a slow week with actual applications but still need to meet the requirement.