I agree with everyone saying to file immediately - don't wait! I was in a similar situation last year where I hesitated for a few weeks thinking the job market might turn around quickly, and I ended up losing out on those weeks of benefits. The unemployment rate going up or down doesn't change your eligibility or how fast they process claims. What matters is that you lost your job through no fault of your own. File today and start your weekly certifications as soon as you're able to. The sooner you get in the system, the sooner you can start receiving benefits while you look for your next job.

From someone who works in HR and has helped employees through layoffs - definitely file immediately! The unemployment rate in your area or statewide has zero impact on your individual claim processing time or approval odds. Your eligibility is based on your work history and the reason you lost your job, not economic trends. I've seen people lose out on thousands of dollars because they waited "to see what happens" with the job market. The NYS DOL system processes claims in the order they're received, and your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your wages in the base period regardless of current unemployment statistics. File today and focus your energy on your job search instead of worrying about things outside your control.

If you're still having trouble getting through to KeyBank, try calling early in the morning right when they open (around 7-8 AM) - that's when I had the best luck reaching someone. Also, if you haven't already, check if your first unemployment payment was actually issued yet by logging into your NY.gov account. Sometimes people think they're approved but the first payment hasn't been processed, which means the card wouldn't be sent out yet. The 7-10 business day countdown only starts after that first payment is issued, not after you get approved for benefits. Hope this helps!

For anyone still dealing with missing debit cards - I went through this nightmare last year and here's what finally worked: First, call KeyBank at 1-866-295-2955 early morning (7-8 AM) when wait times are shorter. Have your claim ID and Social Security number ready. If they say the card was mailed but you never got it, insist on an expedited replacement and ask for a tracking number. Second, immediately switch to direct deposit in your NY.gov account to avoid this mess in the future. Third, if you're getting nowhere with KeyBank after multiple calls, contact your state assembly member's office - they have a constituent services team that can cut through the bureaucracy when you're facing financial hardship. Don't let them pass you back and forth between agencies. Your benefits are YOUR money and you have every right to access them!

UPDATE: I managed to get through to a real person! I used the Claimyr service that @user3 recommended, and it worked perfectly. Turns out there was an "identity verification flag" on my account that I was never notified about! The agent cleared it and said I should receive all my backpay within 2-3 business days. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Congratulations on finally getting through! This is such a common issue and your experience will definitely help others in similar situations. The identity verification flag seems to be happening to a lot of people lately - it's frustrating that they don't send any notification about it. I'm bookmarking that Claimyr service for future reference. Fingers crossed your backpay comes through quickly!

Just want to add that even if you quit for good cause, there's usually a waiting period before benefits start. Also make sure you're actively job searching and meeting all the weekly claim requirements once you do file. The job search log is super important and they do check it sometimes during adjudication.

Before you make any decisions, I'd strongly recommend documenting everything that's happening with your manager right now. Keep detailed records of incidents, dates, times, and any witnesses. Save all emails and text messages. If possible, follow up verbal conversations with emails summarizing what was discussed - this creates a paper trail. Also consider filing a formal written complaint with HR if you haven't already, even if they've been unhelpful before. Having that official complaint on record could be crucial if you need to prove good cause later. The NYS Department of Labor takes workplace harassment seriously, but you need solid evidence to support your claim.

Here's everything you need to know about NY unemployment payments: First, don't panic if you don't see it right away. Release date doesn't mean deposit date. The standard timeline is: - Release date = when NY unemployment approves payment - 1-2 business days for direct deposit - Up to 3 days for some banks If it goes past 3 business days, then you should contact them. The fastest way is using claimyr.com - they'll get you through to an agent quick. Also check: 1. Your payment method hasn't changed 2. Your bank info is correct 3. No holds on your account Hope this helps!

Hey! I'm new to the unemployment system and this is really helpful to see. I just filed my first claim last week and I'm still waiting to hear back. Quick question - do they always send an email or notification when a payment is released, or do you just have to keep checking the portal? Also, is there a specific day of the week they usually release payments? Thanks in advance!