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just got mine yesterday, the keybank one. took exactly 8 days from when my first payment posted. make sure to read all the paperwork!!
That's good to know! Did you have any issues activating it? I'm still waiting for mine and want to make sure I know what to expect when it arrives.
I can confirm it's definitely the KeyBank card with the NYS logo. Got mine about 3 weeks ago and it's been working fine. One thing to note - if you need cash, try to use KeyBank ATMs when possible since you get one free withdrawal per payment cycle. Other ATMs will charge fees on top of the card's fees. Also, you can transfer money from the card to your regular bank account through the GoProgram website, though there might be a small fee for that too. Just wanted to add that info since fees seem to be a concern for folks here!
Just joined this community and I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same login issue since Monday - my SSN and PIN worked fine last week for certification, but now I keep getting the "information doesn't match" error. After reading all your experiences, especially Connor's solution about the account being flagged for additional security verification, I'm convinced that's what's happening to me too. It's absolutely ridiculous that NY's system doesn't notify you when your account gets flagged - just leaves you thinking you're entering wrong info! I tried all the browser troubleshooting tips mentioned here with no luck. Going to call tomorrow morning armed with this knowledge. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community is a lifesaver!
Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and dealing with this exact same nightmare. Been locked out since Tuesday with the same "information doesn't match" error even though I know my SSN and PIN are correct. Reading everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I was starting to think I was losing my mind! It's honestly insane that NY's unemployment system can flag accounts for "additional verification" without sending ANY kind of notification. The fact that Connor had to use a third-party service just to find out what was actually wrong with his account shows how broken their communication system is. I'm definitely calling tomorrow morning too and will specifically ask about account flags. Thanks for joining and sharing - it's comforting to know we're all dealing with the same frustrating issue!
Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been dealing with NY unemployment for over a year now - this login issue is unfortunately pretty common. I've had it happen to me at least 3 times, and each time it was resolved by calling and having them clear some kind of system flag on my account. The most frustrating part is exactly what everyone here is experiencing - the website gives you absolutely NO indication of what's actually wrong, just keeps saying your info doesn't match when you know it's correct. My advice: call early in the morning (I usually try around 8:05 AM right when they open) and specifically ask the rep to check if there are any flags or verification holds on your account. Don't waste time trying to reset your PIN or troubleshooting browsers - it's almost always a backend issue they need to clear manually. Hope this helps anyone still struggling with this!
Thank you so much for this insight! As someone new to navigating the NY unemployment system, it's really helpful to hear from someone with more experience. The 8:05 AM tip is gold - I was wondering what the best time to call would be. It's honestly shocking that this login flag issue is so common yet they haven't fixed the user experience around it. At minimum they could display a message like "Account under review - please call for assistance" instead of the misleading "information doesn't match" error. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with us newcomers!
My friend got unemployment when she quit because her boss was sexually harassing her. She had to prove it was for good cause but NYS Department of Labor approved her claim. Document everything if you decide to quit - emails, texts, schedule changes, anything that shows the working conditions became unreasonable.
Same thing happened to me except they cut me from full time to like 12 hours. I didn't know about partial benefits so I just suffered through it for months being broke all the time. wish someone had told me sooner!
That's exactly what I'm worried about - suffering through being broke when there might be help available! Did you ever end up applying for benefits later or did you just tough it out? I'm trying to figure out if I should apply for partial benefits now while still working the reduced hours or wait and see if things get better.
Great advice from everyone here! Just to add one more tip for finding your UI number - if you're having trouble locating it in your online account, it's also printed on any correspondence you receive from NYS Department of Labor, including your monetary determination letter and any notices about your claim. I always keep a screenshot of mine saved on my phone since you need it so frequently when dealing with unemployment stuff. Also seconding what Noah said about keeping it secure - treat it like you would any other important account number.
This is super helpful! I didn't think to screenshot it - that's a really smart idea since I'm always fumbling around looking for it when I need to call. Quick question though - does the UI number ever change or is it the same throughout your entire claim period? I'm worried about accidentally using an old number if I have to reopen my claim later.
@NebulaKnight Your UI number stays the same throughout your entire benefit year, even if you have to reopen your claim or file additional claims within that year. However, if you file a completely new claim in a different benefit year (like if you become unemployed again after working for a while), you might get assigned a new UI number. But for your current claim period, that number won't change, so your screenshot should be good to keep using. Just make sure you're always using the most recent correspondence if you're ever unsure!
Another thing to keep in mind - if you ever need to reference your UI number over the phone with NYS Department of Labor, they might ask you to spell it out digit by digit for verification purposes. I learned this the hard way when the representative couldn't understand me clearly and I had to repeat it multiple times. Also, some automated phone systems will ask you to enter your UI number using your keypad, so it's helpful to have it written down rather than trying to read it off your phone screen while navigating the phone menu. The whole unemployment system can be overwhelming when you're new to it, but once you get familiar with these basic terms like UI number, weekly certification, and benefit year, it becomes much easier to navigate.
This is really practical advice, thank you! I hadn't thought about the phone keypad issue - that would definitely be frustrating to deal with when you're already stressed about your claim. Speaking of the automated systems, does anyone know if there are specific times of day that are better for calling NYS Department of Labor? I've heard early morning is best but wanted to see if others have had success at different times. Also, @Anthony Young, when you mention weekly certification - is that the same thing as filing your weekly claim for benefits?
Isabella Ferreira
The work authorization requirement is federal law, not just a New York thing. Even though your friend has been contributing through payroll taxes, the Social Security Administration and Department of Labor systems are connected to immigration databases. When NYS Department of Labor processes a claim, they verify work eligibility through these federal systems. If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to get official confirmation, I've heard people mention using claimyr.com to get through to an agent faster. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll let my friend know to look into other assistance programs instead of wasting time with an unemployment application that won't be approved.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
I work with an immigration advocacy group and can confirm what others have said - undocumented workers cannot receive regular UI benefits in NY despite paying taxes. However, your friend should know about a few alternatives: 1) Some counties have emergency rental assistance that doesn't check immigration status, 2) Food pantries and community organizations often provide help without documentation requirements, 3) If they were injured on the job, workers' compensation doesn't require legal status verification. I'd suggest contacting the New York Immigration Coalition or Make the Road NY - they have resources specifically for situations like this and can connect your friend with local assistance programs.
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