You can verify your payment method by logging into my.ny.gov and going to the 'Payment Method' section under your unemployment services. If you have direct deposit set up, you'll see your bank info (last 4 digits). If it shows debit card, the KeyBank card typically arrives within 7-10 business days after your first payment is issued. Make sure your mailing address is current because that's the most common reason for payment delays.

The whole NYS Department of Labor payment system is such a mess. I've been dealing with unemployment for 6 months and every step is a nightmare. First the adjudication takes forever, then they approve you but don't tell you how payments actually work. Why can't they just send a clear email explaining the next steps?

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job instead of being laid off, you probably won't qualify. They're pretty strict about that. But since you said you were laid off due to slow business, that should be fine. Also make sure you have your employer's info handy when you apply because they'll need details about your last job.

@QuantumQueen Based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify! Working 8 months at the restaurant and being laid off (not fired for cause) checks the main boxes. The wage requirements that Aisha mentioned are pretty reasonable - if you made around $15k total, you're likely well above the minimums. I'd recommend applying sooner rather than later because there can sometimes be delays in processing, and your benefit period starts from when you first file, not when you get approved. Also, don't stress too much about the job search requirements right away - you'll get more info about that once your claim is processed. Good luck!

yeah this stuff is so confusing!! why can't they make the rules clearer? seems like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place when you're injured

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago after a workplace injury. The key thing I learned is that you need to be very honest about your work restrictions when filing for UI. I was cleared for sedentary work but couldn't do my regular job, so I was able to qualify for unemployment while my workers comp case was pending. However, you have to actively search for work you CAN do within your restrictions and report that in your weekly certifications. I'd strongly recommend calling the Department of Labor before filing anything - yes the wait times are terrible, but getting it wrong can create a huge mess later. Also document everything your doctor says about what work you can and can't do.

The whole system is set up to deny people benefits honestly. They'll find any excuse to say you're not eligible. Being injured just gives them another reason to reject your claim.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - hurt my back at my retail job and was told I can do light duty work but my employer couldn't accommodate it so they terminated me. I called the NYS Department of Labor and they told me that as long as you can perform SOME type of work (even if it's different from your previous job), you can potentially qualify for UI benefits. The tricky part is you have to actively search for work that fits your medical restrictions and document those job search efforts. They also said to make sure your doctor's note is very specific about what you CAN do, not just what you can't do. Hope this helps!

The agent said they're hoping to have all accounts fixed by the end of next week, but there are thousands affected so they're prioritizing people who call in. She recommended everyone with this issue should call rather than waiting for the automatic fix.

This whole situation is such a mess! I'm dealing with the exact same issue - my effective days counter went to zero after the maintenance even though I should have 14 weeks left. The most frustrating part is that I can see my claim is still active when I look at the claim summary page, but the certification page won't let me submit anything. I tried the phone certification trick that Elijah mentioned (888-581-5812) and it did work for me too! Even though the website still shows the error, I was able to complete my weekly certification over the phone. Definitely recommend this as a temporary workaround while waiting for them to fix the display issue. Has anyone else noticed if their claim balance amount is also showing incorrectly, or is it just the effective days counter that's glitched?