UPDATE: I just got off the phone with the NY unemployment KeyBank line that someone suggested (1-866-295-2955), and it was like night and day compared to the regular KeyBank customer service! The rep immediately understood the issue and transferred me to their security team. They confirmed my identity through a different process and manually reset something on my account. I was able to log in right after the call! For anyone else having this issue, definitely call this specific number and ask for the security authentication team right away. Now I need to decide if I should stick with KeyBank or switch to direct deposit to my regular bank...

So glad you got your account access back! I'd definitely recommend switching to direct deposit to your personal bank account. I made the switch last month after having similar KeyBank issues, and it's been so much more reliable. The process on ny.gov is pretty straightforward - just go to your payment preferences and update your banking info. It took about 4 days for the change to take effect for me. Given what others have shared about ongoing KeyBank system problems potentially lasting until May, you'll save yourself a lot of stress by switching now. Just make sure to transfer out any remaining funds from your KeyBank account before the switch becomes active!

Just wanted to say I'm in the same boat - filed 3 weeks ago and still waiting. At least I know I'm not alone in this. The uncertainty is the worst part.

I went through this exact same situation last month. My claim took exactly 3 weeks to get approved, which my case worker told me was typical. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications even while it's pending - you can backdate and get paid for those weeks once approved. Also, make sure you're checking both my.ny.gov and your physical mail, because sometimes they send important documents by mail first. If you haven't heard anything by week 4, that's when I'd recommend calling the DOL hotline. Hang in there, the waiting is stressful but most legitimate claims do get processed eventually.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got hit with an overpayment notice for $3,200. From what I've learned, the most important thing is to not ignore it. Even if you end up owing the money, they're much more willing to work with you on payment plans if you're proactive about contacting them. I'd definitely recommend appealing if you think there's any chance the calculation is wrong. The worst case is they uphold the decision, but at least you'll have tried. And yes, they can garnish wages and take tax refunds, but they usually give you a chance to set up a payment plan first if you reach out to them.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago. Here's what I learned: definitely appeal if you have ANY doubt about the calculation being correct. The appeals process bought me time to gather my records and ultimately I was able to prove that some of the work they said I didn't report was actually done BEFORE I started claiming benefits. Even if you don't win the appeal, it gives you more time to prepare financially. In the meantime, start saving what you can for a potential payment plan. NYS DOL was actually pretty reasonable about setting up payments - they let me do $150/month instead of taking a huge chunk from my paycheck all at once. Don't let the stress paralyze you into doing nothing - that's the worst option.

I went through something similar last year! Since you worked after your benefits ended, you should be able to file a new claim. The key thing is whether you earned enough during your brief employment - NY requires you to have earned wages in at least one calendar quarter and meet the minimum earnings threshold. Even though 4 weeks might not seem like much, it could still count toward establishing a new benefit year. I'd recommend filing the new claim ASAP since you're already past the layoff date - don't let more time pass! The online system will walk you through it and determine if you qualify. Keep all your pay stubs from the recent job handy when you apply.

Just wanted to add that even if you don't meet the earnings threshold for a new claim right away, you might still have options! I was in a similar spot and found out that NY sometimes allows you to use a different base period if the standard one doesn't work in your favor. Also, if you're really stuck financially while waiting, look into local food banks and emergency rental assistance programs - many don't require you to be on unemployment to qualify. The waiting period can be really stressful but there are resources out there to help bridge the gap. Good luck with everything!

Most people don't have SUB benefits so don't stress about it too much. Focus on making sure your regular NYS Department of Labor weekly claims are filed correctly and on time. That's your main source of income replacement while unemployed.

Just to add some clarity - SUB benefits are completely voluntary employer programs, so the vast majority of workers don't have them. Don't feel like you're missing out on something you should have known about. These programs require significant employer investment and administration, which is why they're mainly seen in large corporations or union contracts. Your regular NYS Department of Labor benefits are what most people rely on. If you're unsure, a quick call to your former employer's HR is worth it, but chances are if they had SUB benefits, it would have been a prominent part of your benefits package that they'd promote during hiring.