Been through this exact situation last year. Key things: 1) Get character references from coworkers if possible 2) Show pattern of good behavior vs isolated incident 3) Challenge their version of events with facts 4) Bring up any procedural violations by the employer (did they follow progressive discipline, etc). Won my appeal after 2 months.

same boat here, employer said I was insubordinate but really I just questioned a safety issue. like isn't that what we're supposed to do?? this whole system is rigged against workers

For what it's worth, I just went through this process last month. The KeyBank debit card does come automatically once your first payment is processed - no action needed on your part. But I'd echo what others said about considering direct deposit. I initially used the debit card for a couple weeks but then switched to direct deposit because the ATM fees were adding up. You can change your payment method online pretty easily through your NY.gov account once your claim is established. Also, don't stress too much about missing anything - the system is pretty straightforward once you get your first payment processed.

Just want to add that when you do get the KeyBank debit card, make sure to read the fine print that comes with it. There are some daily withdrawal limits (I think it's $500 per day) and you can only make a certain number of free transactions per month at non-KeyBank locations. I learned this the hard way when I was trying to withdraw larger amounts to pay rent. Also, if you lose the card, there's a replacement fee, so keep it safe! The direct deposit option really is more convenient if you have a bank account set up already.

I tried both ways and here's what I learned: Online is definitely faster BUT if you have any special circumstances (like working out of state or multiple employers) you might need to talk to someone eventually. Start with online filing and only call if you absolutely have to.

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful. I'll definitely go with online filing and try to do it early in the morning like @Amina suggested. Good to know about documenting everything too - I'll make sure to screenshot everything just in case. Really appreciate all the advice!

Congrats! That's one less thing to worry about. The whole unemployment system is so stressful.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! "Not disqualified" means you've passed the separation determination review - basically NYS DOL confirmed that your job loss wasn't due to misconduct or voluntary quit without good cause. This is actually a major milestone in the process. In my case, I received my first payment about 5-6 days after seeing this status update. Just keep filing your weekly claims and stay patient - the hardest part is behind you now. The waiting is nerve-wracking but you're definitely heading in the right direction!

Wait, I'm confused about something similar. If I worked one day but forgot to report it on my weekly claim, is that considered an overpayment? I only made like $80 that day but now I'm worried I'll owe money back.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and decided to proactively contact NYS Department of Labor when I realized I had underreported my part-time earnings. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but the representative I spoke with was actually helpful and appreciative that I came forward voluntarily. They had me submit corrected information and calculated the overpayment amount - ended up being around $900. Since I reported it myself, they waived any potential penalties and just required repayment through monthly deductions from my remaining benefits. My advice would be to contact them sooner rather than later if you're confident you made an error. The longer you wait, the more it might look like you were trying to hide something.