I went through this exact same situation last year with a $3,200 overpayment. The NYS DOL definitely cannot just drain your bank account without warning - that's not how their process works. They'll first send you multiple notices giving you options to either appeal or set up a payment plan. I was terrified they'd take all my money too, but they actually worked with me on a $150/month payment plan that I could afford. The important thing is to respond to their letters and communicate with them. If you ignore it completely, that's when they can eventually pursue more aggressive collection methods, but even then they have to go through legal channels first. Don't panic about your rent money - you have time to work this out properly.

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Like others mentioned, the NYS DOL does follow a process - they can't just surprise you by emptying your bank account. I got my first overpayment notice about 6 weeks ago and was panicking, but after reading all the responses here I called them (took forever to get through) and they walked me through the payment plan options. They were actually pretty reasonable about working with my budget. The key thing everyone's saying is true - don't ignore the notices! That's when things can get more complicated down the road. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this stuff.

One thing to add - you can check your payment method and status by logging into your NY.gov account and looking at the "Payment Information" section. It will show whether you're set up for direct deposit or the debit card option. Also, NYS Department of Labor sends email notifications when payments are processed, so keep an eye on your inbox. The first payment sometimes takes a bit longer than usual while they verify everything, but after that it should be pretty consistent timing-wise.

Another tip - if you're getting the KeyBank debit card instead of direct deposit, it usually arrives within 7-10 business days after your first payment is processed. The card comes with instructions on how to set up a PIN and access ATMs. Just be aware that there might be fees for certain transactions like out-of-network ATM withdrawals, so read the fee schedule carefully when you get it. You can also transfer money from the card to your regular bank account if you prefer, though there might be a small fee for that too.

wait so if I don't file one week I lose the money for that week forever?? that seems really harsh especially if you just forget or something comes up

One thing that helped me was setting up a weekly phone alarm for Sunday evenings to remind me to file my weekly certification. I also bookmarked the my.ny.gov portal on my phone so I could access it easily. The questions really are straightforward once you get into the routine - they mainly want to know if you worked any hours that week, what job search activities you did, and confirm you're still available for work. Just make sure you keep a simple log of where you applied for jobs each week since they ask for specific details about your job search efforts.

I went through the same confusion when I first filed! The $504 weekly benefit is actually pretty good - that's close to the maximum you can get in New York state. Just to put it in perspective, the minimum weekly benefit in NY is around $104, so you're doing well. The amount is based on your highest earning quarter during your base period, so if you were making decent money before becoming unemployed, that explains the higher benefit amount. The regular state unemployment typically lasts up to 26 weeks, but there's no extra federal money being added on top like there was during COVID.

I was in a similar situation last year and had the same confusion! The $504 you're receiving is actually really good - that's essentially the maximum weekly benefit amount in New York State. During the pandemic there were all those extra federal programs (like the additional $300-600 per week), but those ended back in 2021. Now it's just the regular state unemployment insurance, which for NY maxes out around $504 based on your previous earnings. The duration is typically 26 weeks of benefits. If you've been getting $504 for 3 months already, you're definitely getting the full amount you're entitled to under the current system. No extra money available beyond that unfortunately!

You're being way too considerate! File your claim TODAY. I waited two weeks worrying about the same thing and lost out on $1,200 in benefits because unemployment doesn't pay retroactively for delays. The employer impact is minimal and spread out over years.

As someone who works in HR, I can confirm what others have said - the NYS Department of Labor unemployment insurance system is designed to protect both workers and employers. Your former employer was already paying quarterly UI taxes based on their payroll, and one claim won't cause their rates to skyrocket overnight. The experience rating adjustments happen gradually over a multi-year period. Most small business owners understand that layoffs lead to unemployment claims - it's factored into their business planning. You paid into this system through your work, so don't feel guilty about using the safety net you helped fund. File your claim right away!