I've been using Chime for my NY unemployment benefits for about 4 months now and can definitely confirm what everyone is saying about the faster processing times! Coming from Chase where I'd wait the full 3-5 days every time, Chime has been a lifesaver. In my experience, I usually see the funds within 18-36 hours after getting the DOL release notification. The fastest was about 14 hours, and that was when DOL released it early on a Tuesday morning. I've noticed that weekday releases tend to process faster than Friday releases (probably because of weekend processing schedules). One thing that really helped reduce my stress was setting up automatic bill pay for a few days after my usual unemployment deposit schedule. Since Chime is so consistent with the timing, I can actually plan around it now instead of constantly worrying about when the money will hit. Maya, based on your morning notification timing and everyone else's experiences here, I'd bet you'll see your funds by tomorrow morning at the latest. The predictability with Chime has been such a relief during an already stressful time!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who recently switched to Chime specifically for unemployment benefits after reading threads like this one! I was with TD Bank before and the difference is night and day. With TD, I would consistently wait 4-5 business days and sometimes even longer if there were any system issues on their end. I've only been using Chime for about 6 weeks now, but my NY unemployment deposits have been hitting my account within 24-48 hours every single time after the DOL release notification. The fastest was about 20 hours, which happened when DOL released the payment on a Tuesday morning around 10am (similar to Maya's timing). What really sold me on Chime was reading all these real experiences from people in the same situation. The uncertainty of traditional bank timing was causing me so much anxiety - especially when rent or utilities were due. Now I can actually budget and plan with confidence knowing the money will be there when I need it. Maya, congrats on getting your funds so quickly! For anyone else considering the switch to Chime for this reason, I can definitely recommend it based on my experience so far. The peace of mind alone is worth it when you're already dealing with unemployment stress.

definitely not public record but honestly the whole system feels so invasive anyway with all the job search requirements and verification stuff they make you do

Just wanted to add that I work in HR and can confirm - we absolutely cannot access unemployment records during background checks or hiring processes. The only time we'd know is if an applicant voluntarily mentions it or if we're the company that laid them off originally. Your unemployment history is protected information, so don't let privacy concerns prevent you from getting benefits you're entitled to. The stigma around unemployment is outdated anyway - most employers understand that layoffs happen and it doesn't reflect poorly on you as a candidate.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year and successfully got partial unemployment benefits while working part-time! The process was actually smoother than I expected once I understood how it works. A few key things that helped me: - Don't be intimidated by the "currently working" question - answering YES is correct and won't disqualify you - Keep detailed records from day one - write down exactly which days you work each week (not hours, just days) - Your part-time wages can vary week to week as long as you stay under $504 and work less than 4 days - The online system will calculate your partial benefit automatically once you report your work days One thing I wish someone had told me: if you work an irregular schedule (like some weeks 2 days, some weeks 3 days), your benefit amount will change accordingly each week. This is totally normal and expected with partial benefits. The work search requirement was actually easier to meet than I thought - online job applications count, and since you're already motivated to find more work, it becomes part of your routine pretty quickly. I'd definitely recommend starting with the online application. Even if you hit a snag, you'll have most of your information entered and can reference it when calling. The whole process took me about 20 minutes online once I had my documents ready. You've got this! Partial benefits really help bridge that gap while you're building toward full-time employment.

I'm in a very similar situation and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been working part-time for about a month now, usually 2-3 days per week, and my weekly earnings are consistently under $400. Reading everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to finally apply for partial benefits. A couple of questions for those who've been through this process: 1. When you first apply online, does the system immediately tell you if you're approved for partial benefits, or do you have to wait for some kind of determination letter? 2. For the work search activities - do online job applications through sites like Indeed and LinkedIn count toward the 3 weekly requirements, or do they prefer more traditional methods? I'm planning to apply this weekend after I gather all my employment documents. It sounds like being completely transparent about working part-time is key, which honestly makes me feel better about the whole process. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for navigating these confusing government systems!

This is such a valuable thread! I've been working part-time (about 25 hours/week) for the past month and was also confused about this exact question. Following everyone's advice, I've been answering "No" to returning to work and then reporting my hours and earnings accurately. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you report earnings for the week you WORKED, not the week you got paid. I made that mistake my first week and it threw off my benefit calculation. Also, if anyone is wondering about the timing - I usually get my reduced benefit payment 2-3 days after certifying, same as when I was getting full benefits. The system seems to process partial benefits just as quickly as regular claims. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here, especially the detailed breakdown of the 4-day rule and earnings limits!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in the exact same boat - just started a part-time retail job (22 hours/week) and was completely confused about the certification process. The way everyone explained the difference between "returning to work" (full-time) vs "working during the week" (part-time) finally makes it click. I've been stressing about this for two weeks! One additional tip I discovered - if you're unsure about any of your previous certifications, you can actually view your certification history in your NY.gov account under "View Payment History." It shows exactly how you answered each question and what earnings you reported. This helped me double-check that I'd been doing it correctly. Also, for anyone else who might be starting part-time work soon, I found it helpful to call your new employer ahead of time to understand exactly when and how they report your hours - some places are better than others at providing clear paystubs that show your gross earnings before deductions. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences here - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's impossible to find on the official NYSDOL website!

Hey Freya, I just went through this exact same process about 3 months ago when my manufacturing job ended. Here's my actual timeline: Filed my initial claim on a Thursday, started doing weekly certifications the following Sunday, and received my first direct deposit payment 17 days after filing. The one-week waiting period definitely applies - you won't get paid for your very first week of unemployment, but you still need to file that weekly claim to get the process started. My biggest tip is to be super consistent with those Sunday weekly certifications (set a phone alarm!) and make sure you have direct deposit set up since that's the fastest way to get your money. The waiting is stressful but as long as your claim doesn't hit any snags, you should see that first payment within 2.5-3 weeks of filing. Hang in there!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now - filed my claim 10 days ago after losing my restaurant job. The waiting and not knowing is honestly the worst part! Reading everyone's timelines here is really helpful. I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously (thanks for the Sunday alarm tip, definitely setting that up). One thing I wanted to add is that I called the NYS DOL office and they told me to check my online account regularly because sometimes they'll post messages there if they need additional information, rather than sending mail or email. Also learned that if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months, that can sometimes delay things while they verify wages across state lines. Fingers crossed we all get through this process smoothly!