Thanks for the update! This is super helpful - I was literally in the same exact boat last week but chickened out and didn't change my bank info because I was too worried about timing. Seeing that it worked for you gives me confidence to finally make the switch. The fact that you changed it Thursday and still got paid Tuesday in the new account is exactly what I needed to know. Definitely going to take that screenshot advice too!

This whole thread has been so reassuring! I'm dealing with a bank merger situation where my routing number is changing next month, so I'll need to update my direct deposit info too. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the key is giving yourself at least a few days between making the change and your certification date. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences - the official unemployment website is pretty vague about timing for these changes.

Don't stress too much about it if you've been reporting everything honestly! I was on unemployment for about 6 months last year and had the same worries. The key thing is that NYS DOL has to prove you did something wrong - they can't just randomly decide you owe money. Most overpayment cases happen when people either don't report work income, work while claiming they're available, or provide false information. Since you mentioned you've been reporting your temp jobs, you're already doing the right thing. The system is actually pretty good at catching discrepancies early on, so if you were going to have issues, you'd likely know within a few weeks rather than months later.

I totally understand your anxiety about this - I was the same way when I was collecting benefits. One thing that really helped ease my mind was setting up a simple spreadsheet to track everything: dates I filed claims, any work I reported, amounts I earned, etc. That way if anything ever comes up, you have your own records to back up what you reported. Also, remember that the vast majority of people who file honestly never have issues. The horror stories tend to get shared more than the success stories where everything goes smoothly. You're being proactive by asking about this, which shows you're taking it seriously and doing things right.

Also remember you can collect for up to 26 weeks in NY (longer if there are extensions), and you need to do the weekly job search requirements. Make sure you keep track of your job applications because they can ask for proof at any time.

Just wanted to add that if you're in marketing like Wesley, you might want to look into freelance or contract work while collecting benefits. In NY, you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit rate without it affecting your unemployment payments. So with a $504 weekly benefit, you could earn about $126 per week from side work. This can help bridge the gap financially while you're job hunting. Just make sure to report any earnings when you do your weekly certification.

Based on recent NYSDOL data, here's what most claimants can expect in 2025: - Simple claims (clean work history, employer doesn't contest): 1-2 weeks - Standard claims (typical situation): 2-3 weeks - Complex claims (multiple employers, eligibility questions): 3-6+ weeks The most important thing is to keep certifying weekly while you wait and respond immediately to any requests for additional information. About 70% of delays are caused by missing documentation or unanswered questions.

Just wanted to add that you should also make sure to keep detailed records of your job search activities from day one, even while waiting for approval. NY requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week once benefits start, and they can ask for proof retroactively. I learned this the hard way when they requested my job search log during a random audit. Keep a simple spreadsheet with company names, dates, positions applied for, and contact methods. It'll save you headaches later!

just had a baby last year and yeah you cant get unemployment while on maternity leave but definitely look into the disability thing someone mentioned above

I went through something similar when I had my second child. The key thing to understand is that unemployment requires you to be actively seeking work and available to start immediately, which you obviously can't do while recovering from childbirth. However, you might want to look into New York State Disability Insurance (DBL) - this covers short-term disability for pregnancy-related conditions including recovery time after delivery (usually 6-8 weeks for vaginal delivery, longer for C-section). You should also check if your employer has been deducting for Paid Family Leave from your paychecks - even small companies participate in this program. If they have, you could potentially get partial wage replacement. I'd recommend calling the NY State Department of Labor's disability line directly rather than the unemployment line to get accurate information about your specific situation.