Same boat here! Filed yesterday and crossing my fingers it comes through by Wednesday. The waiting is the worst part of this whole unemployment thing.

From my experience, NYS Department of Labor definitely doesn't process payments on weekends. I've been on unemployment for a few months now and the pattern is always the same - file your weekly certification on Sunday/Monday, and the payment hits my account on Tuesday or Wednesday. Since today is Monday and your rent is due tomorrow, unfortunately you'll probably have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest. I know it's super stressful when you're cutting it close with bills! Maybe reach out to your landlord to let them know the payment is coming just a day or two late?

I heard the ny unemployment system hired a bunch of new people but didnt train em properly so half of em don't even kno what there doing when u get em on the phone. my cousin works there and says its a mess behind the scenes

I went through the same nightmare last month - missing $2,100 in payments and getting nowhere with the regular channels. What finally worked for me was contacting my state senator's office (not assembly, but senator). They have a constituent services team that handles unemployment issues specifically. I found my senator through nysenate.gov, filled out their online form describing the problem, and got a callback within 48 hours. The senator's office contacted NYSDOL directly and my payments were released within a week. Also, keep detailed records of every call attempt - date, time, how long you waited, what happened. This documentation helps when you escalate. Don't give up, the system is broken but there are ways around it if you know the right pressure points.

just wanted to say congrats on getting through the system! the first few weeks of unemployment can be really stressful when you dont know what all the different statuses mean

I remember being in your exact situation when I first filed! The "distributed" status definitely confused me too - I kept refreshing the page thinking something was broken. But everyone here is right, it's actually the best status to see because it means your money is on its way. Pro tip: if you have direct deposit set up, the money usually hits your account faster than if you're using the debit card. Also keep screenshots of your payment history just in case you need them later for your records.

The whole system is honestly a nightmare to navigate. Between the confusing website, impossible phone lines, and constant delays, it's like they don't want you to get benefits. But unfortunately it's the only safety net we have. Just be prepared for lots of frustration and bureaucratic nonsense.

One thing that really helped me when I first applied was gathering all my documents beforehand. Make sure you have your driver's license or state ID, Social Security card, and detailed employment info for every job in the last 18 months - employer names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of employment, and reason you left each job. Also have your bank account info ready for direct deposit setup. The application process goes much smoother when you're not scrambling to find paperwork halfway through.

One thing nobody mentions is that your benefits are taxable income. NYS Department of Labor will send you a 1099-G at tax time. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them later, but don't forget about it come April!

@Fatima Al-Qasimi - I went through this same process a few months ago after being laid off. Here's what I wish I knew from the start: Apply online at labor.ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a waiting week before benefits begin. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months ready. The application asks for detailed info about your previous employers including dates, wages, and reason for separation. Also, set up direct deposit right away - it's much faster than waiting for debit cards or checks. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me to get my first payment after the initial waiting period.