After the mail carrier delivered my neighbor's KeyBank card to ME by mistake, I'm convinced half the missing cards are just delivered to the wrong address. Check with neighbors and your building's mail area if you're in an apartment.

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - filed in early February, got approved, chose the debit card option and it's been 3.5 weeks with nothing. Called KeyBank twice and got the same useless "it's been mailed" response. What's really frustrating is that I can see my payments sitting there as "processed" on the unemployment website but I can't access any of it. At this point I'm starting to think these cards are getting lost in the mail or delivered to wrong addresses. Going to try calling unemployment directly tomorrow but from what I'm reading here, sounds like I might need to look into that claimyr service to actually get through to a human. This whole system is such a mess when people are already stressed about money.

been there! so stressful when you're counting on that money and then get denied. definitely appeal if you think they made a mistake about the layoff vs firing thing

I went through something similar last year - got denied initially because of a "misconduct" classification when I was actually laid off. The key thing is to gather all your documentation ASAP: layoff notice, any company-wide emails about downsizing, your final paystub, etc. When you file your appeal (do it online through the NYS DOL website or call their appeals line), make sure to clearly state that you were laid off due to company downsizing, not fired for misconduct. The hearing officer will review both your evidence and what your employer submitted. In my case, it turned out HR had incorrectly coded my separation as "fired" instead of "laid off" in their system. Once I provided the layoff documentation, the decision was reversed and I got all my back benefits. Don't let the initial denial discourage you - errors happen more often than you'd think.

Just filed mine last week, super easy! The my.ny.gov portal works great now. Make sure you file within the first week of being unemployed or you might miss out on benefits for that week. Also Rochester doesn't have a walk-in center anymore - everything really is online or by phone these days.

Hey Lena! Just wanted to add that when you file online, make sure to keep records of everything - screenshot your confirmation page and save any reference numbers they give you. Also, you'll need to certify for benefits every week after your initial claim, which you can also do through the my.ny.gov portal. The first payment usually takes 2-3 weeks to process, so don't panic if you don't see money right away. Good luck with everything!

I went through this exact situation last year and want to share what I learned. First, definitely start applying for other assistance programs NOW - don't wait until September. SNAP benefits can take a few weeks to process, and rental assistance programs often have waiting lists. Also, consider looking into temporary staffing agencies. Even if it's not your ideal work, getting some employment before your benefits run out could help you qualify for partial unemployment (as mentioned above) and might eventually lead to full-time opportunities. I found work through a temp agency that turned into a permanent position after 3 months. One more thing - document everything about your job search. Keep records of applications, interviews, etc. If any emergency extension programs do become available, they often require proof of active job searching. Hang in there, and start building that safety net of other resources before you actually need them.

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to add something that might help. I discovered that some counties in NY have "emergency assistance" programs specifically for people who are about to exhaust unemployment benefits. These aren't widely advertised but they exist. I'd suggest calling your county's Department of Social Services directly and asking if they have any emergency rental assistance or utility assistance programs for people whose unemployment is ending. Also, if you have any skills that could translate to freelance work (writing, design, tutoring, etc.), consider starting to build that up now while you still have some benefits coming in. Even small amounts of freelance income can help bridge the gap and might make you feel less helpless about the situation. The job market is brutal right now, but you're not alone in this struggle. Start preparing for September now by applying for everything you qualify for - SNAP, rental assistance, utility assistance, food banks, etc. Having those safety nets in place before you need them will give you more time to focus on job searching without the immediate panic of bills piling up.

works fine for me! been using it to pay my roommate rent since i lost my job. no issues with DOL or anything

I've been using my KeyBank unemployment card with Cash App for about 3 months now with no problems at all. The setup was pretty straightforward - just added it like any regular debit card. One thing I noticed is that Cash App sometimes takes a small fee for instant transfers, so I usually just do the free standard transfer that takes 1-3 business days. Haven't had any issues with NYS Department of Labor either - they don't seem to care what you do with the money once it's on your card, as long as you're meeting your other unemployment requirements.