Just to be super clear - you earned these benefits through your work history. Your employer paid unemployment insurance taxes specifically for this purpose. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about using a system you paid into!

Your coworker is definitely wrong - unemployment benefits are not a loan at all! I went through the same situation a few years ago and was worried about the same thing. The benefits are funded by employer contributions to the unemployment insurance system, so you've essentially already "paid" for them through your work history. The only time you'd need to pay anything back is if there was an error (like getting benefits you weren't entitled to), but that's not the normal situation. You're dealing with enough stress from being laid off - don't let misinformation add to your worries. Just focus on your job search and filing your weekly claims correctly.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who went through a similar identity theft situation (not unemployment related but still scary), I wanted to add that you should also consider filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. They'll create a personalized recovery plan and give you an affidavit that can be helpful when dealing with NYS Department of Labor and other agencies. Also, keep detailed records of every phone call, email, and document - write down names, dates, reference numbers, everything. It might seem excessive now but it really helps if you need to escalate or if there are any lingering issues later. The good news is that you caught this early and everyone here is giving you solid advice. You've got this!

This is such a comprehensive thread with so much helpful advice! I wanted to add one more thing that might be useful - if you have trouble remembering all the steps, the NYS Department of Labor actually has a specific fraud checklist on their website that walks you through exactly what to do. Also, once you get this resolved, consider signing up for their text alerts so you'll be notified immediately if anyone tries to file a claim under your SSN in the future. It's a free service that can give you peace of mind. The fact that you caught this so quickly and are taking action right away puts you in a really good position to get it sorted out without major complications. Wishing you the best with getting this resolved!

Wait, I'm confused now. I thought if you worked ANY hours you couldn't claim that week? I've been skipping my weekly claims whenever I pick up shifts at my retail job. Have I been losing money I was entitled to?

I went through something similar and had to learn the hard way that NYS allows part-time work while collecting unemployment - it's actually encouraged! The key things to remember: 1) You must work less than 4 days per week, 2) You must report ALL earnings and hours worked on your weekly claim, and 3) Your benefits get reduced based on a formula, but you don't lose eligibility entirely. I was terrified I'd committed fraud too, but as long as you're honest on your weekly certifications, you're following the rules. The Department of Labor website has a worksheet that shows exactly how they calculate partial benefits - it helped me understand that working part-time wasn't cheating the system, it was exactly what they expect people to do while job searching.

Thanks for asking this question! I always wondered the same thing. Makes sense that it's employer-funded since they're the ones doing the hiring and firing decisions.

This is really helpful to understand! I had no idea employers were paying quarterly taxes for this. It makes me wonder - does this mean that companies with better employee retention actually save money on these taxes? Like if a tech company rarely has layoffs, do they pay less than a seasonal business that has to let people go every winter?

I'm in a similar situation - got approved about a week ago and still waiting for my card. Reading these responses is really helpful! I didn't know about checking the payment history on my.ny.gov, so I'll definitely do that. The timing stress is real when you're counting on these benefits. Has anyone had issues with the card not arriving and had to request a replacement?

I just went through this same process a few weeks ago. My timeline was: approved on a Tuesday, first payment issued the following Monday, and the KeyBank card arrived exactly 8 business days after the payment was issued. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you need the money, but it sounds like you're right on track with the normal timeline. Once you get the card, make sure to set up the KeyBank app - it makes checking your balance and finding ATMs much easier than calling the phone number on the back of the card.