If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about your claim timing, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was way easier than sitting on hold for hours just to ask about filing deadlines and claim status.

Just file online at my.ny.gov ASAP. Don't overthink it. You need your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's info. The whole process takes maybe 20-30 minutes and then you'll start getting weekly claim forms. The longer you wait the more money you're throwing away.

thanks for explaining this! always wondered about the history

What's really interesting is that New York was actually one of the first states to implement unemployment insurance even before the federal Social Security Act. The state passed its own unemployment insurance law in 1935, just months before the federal legislation. The NYS Department of Labor has been refining this system for almost 90 years now, which explains why it has so many detailed procedures and requirements - they've had decades to build out all the fraud prevention measures and eligibility criteria that sometimes make the process feel overwhelming for claimants.

Make sure you double check that your routing and account numbers were entered correctly when you set up direct deposit. One wrong digit and your payment could be floating in limbo somewhere. NYS Department of Labor should send you a confirmation email when direct deposit is activated on your account.

I had the exact same situation when I first switched to direct deposit with NYS Department of Labor! It took about 3 business days for my first payment to show up, but after that it was consistently 1-2 days. The initial setup does seem to add some extra processing time. I'd give it until Friday before getting concerned, especially since your claim shows as paid. Also make sure to check if your bank has any holds on new ACH deposits - some banks will hold the first few deposits from new sources for an extra day.

Just wanted to jump back in and say I've been reading all your comments and they mean so much. This is exactly the supportive community I was hoping for. Let's keep lifting each other up through this unemployment journey. ❤️

This post really hit home for me. I just started my unemployment claim process last week and I was already feeling overwhelmed by all the paperwork and requirements. Reading through everyone's experiences here - both the struggles and the successes - makes me feel less alone in this. It's amazing how much difference it makes to know there are real people going through the same thing who are willing to help each other out. Thank you @Amina for creating this positive space! 🙏

Just want to add that timing matters too with separation agreements and unemployment. If you're getting severance pay, that might delay when your UI benefits start even if you're approved. NYS Department of Labor has rules about how severance affects your benefit timing so make sure you understand that part too before making your decision.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and it worked out fine! The key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor cares more about the actual reason for separation than what the paperwork says. When I filed my claim, I was completely transparent about the separation agreement and explained that while it technically said "voluntary resignation," the reality was that my position was being eliminated due to company restructuring. The UI representative I spoke with said this happens all the time and they're used to evaluating these cases. Just make sure you have documentation of the circumstances that led to the separation agreement - like emails about budget cuts, layoff announcements, or anything showing it wasn't really your choice to leave. Also, don't forget to ask HR if you can negotiate the language in the agreement before signing - sometimes they'll add a clause acknowledging the involuntary nature of the separation which makes the UI claim much smoother.