Just want to add that even after your claim is approved, the first payment can still take a few extra days to hit your account depending on your payment method. Direct deposit is faster than the debit card.

I just got my first payment this week after filing 3 weeks ago, so the 2-4 week timeline mentioned above seems accurate. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit right away instead of waiting for the debit card - it definitely speeds things up. Also, make sure you're checking your online account regularly for any messages or requests for additional documentation. Sometimes they need proof of your previous income or employment verification and if you miss those requests it can delay everything. Hang in there, the waiting is stressful but the payments do come through eventually!

have u tried requesting a direct deposit instead of the keybank card? Sometimes easier to set up new payment method than fix issue with current one. Go into ur account settings and see if u can update payment preferences

This is absolutely infuriating and I feel your pain! I went through something similar last year and it took 2 months to resolve. A few things that helped me: 1) File a complaint with the NY State Comptroller's office - they have an ombudsman specifically for unemployment issues. 2) Contact your local news station's "problem solver" segment - they love these stories and unemployment often responds quickly when media gets involved. 3) Try calling the TeleCert line instead of the main number - sometimes different departments can access different systems. 4) Document EVERYTHING in writing and send a certified letter to the DOL director outlining your situation and requesting immediate resolution within 10 business days. The paper trail is crucial if you do decide to pursue legal action. Don't give up - that money is rightfully yours and they can't just hold it hostage indefinitely. The system is broken but persistence usually pays off eventually.

Anyone else feel like we need a support group for dealing with NYDOL? 😅 Maybe we can all pitch in for a group therapy session lol

I had this exact same issue last month! What finally worked for me was going to my bank branch and asking them to print out a direct deposit form with the correct routing and account numbers. Turns out my online banking was showing a slightly different routing number than what I needed for direct deposits. The teller explained that some banks have different routing numbers for different types of transactions. Once I used the numbers from the official form, it went through immediately. Might be worth a shot!

This whole immigration system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear guidelines about what counts and what doesn't? I've been stressed about this exact thing for months. Good luck with your interview!

I went through this exact same situation! Was on NYS Department of Labor unemployment for almost a year while waiting for my citizenship interview. Not only did it not hurt my application, but the immigration officer actually seemed impressed that I was actively looking for work and following all the requirements. She said it showed I was being a responsible member of society. Just make sure you have your tax documents showing you paid into the unemployment system - that really helps demonstrate it's not welfare but earned benefits. You've got this!

This whole thread reminds me of when I was on unemployment back in 2019. I was so paranoid about doing everything right that I probably spent more time reading the NYS Department of Labor rules than actually job searching lol. But seriously, the key is just to be honest about your work situation and when in doubt, call them or file anyway and let them sort it out.

The 26 weeks is from when you first filed your claim, not when you were approved. So if you filed 4 months ago, you've probably used up around 16-17 weeks already. You can check your exact remaining balance by logging into your NY.gov account - it should show you how many weeks you have left. And yes, you can definitely work part-time and still collect partial benefits as long as you report all your earnings when you certify each week. The system will automatically calculate what you're eligible for based on how much you earned that week.