I went through this same process about 6 months ago and can share what worked for me. NYSDOL did send me a physical letter with all the hearing details about 12 days before the scheduled date. However, I also got an email notification to the address I had on file with them - so definitely make sure your email is updated in your online account. One tip that saved me: I called the hearing office directly (not the main unemployment line) about a week after requesting my hearing just to confirm they had received my appeal and to ask about timing. The number was on my determination letter. That call gave me peace of mind that everything was moving forward properly. Also, when you do get your hearing notice, they'll include a "test meeting" link so you can check your computer setup beforehand. Definitely use that! Good luck with your hearing!

Thanks for all the helpful responses everyone! I'm feeling a lot better about this now. Based on what you've all shared, it sounds like I should expect a mailed notice in the next week or two, and I'll keep checking my online account and email regularly just in case. I really appreciate the tips about testing Teams beforehand and having all my documents ready. It's reassuring to know that even though the system has issues, people do get through this process successfully. I'll definitely call to confirm if I don't hear anything within 15 days like @Danielle Campbell suggested.

just fyi the maximum went up to $504 this year so if you were making decent money you'll probably hit that cap. also remember you gotta pay taxes on unemployment benefits so factor that in when budgeting

As someone who just went through this process, I can confirm what others have said about checking your wage history in my.ny.gov - that's the most reliable way to see exactly what the DOL is using for your calculation. One thing that caught me off guard was that they use your gross wages from your W-2, not your take-home pay. Also, if you had any significant raises or bonuses during your employment, those might have pushed one quarter higher than others, which would affect your weekly benefit amount. The 1/26th rule is straightforward once you identify your highest quarter correctly.

UPDATE: Money finally hit my Key Bank card this morning (Wednesday). No idea why it was delayed but at least it came through! This system is so stressful when you're depending on the money.

Glad to hear your payment came through! I've been dealing with similar delays lately. For anyone still waiting, one thing I've found helpful is to check your payment status on the NY.gov website first thing in the morning - if it shows "released" there, the Key Bank deposit usually follows within a few hours. The timing really does seem random though. I've been thinking about switching to direct deposit too after reading about all the Key Bank issues here.

Just file NOW and stop overthinking it. The longer you wait the worse it gets. I know someone who waited 2 months and got absolutely nothing backdated.

I work for a local workforce development agency and I see this situation all the time. The key thing to understand is that NYS unemployment benefits are paid based on when you file your weekly certifications, not when you lost your job. So yes, you've likely lost those 3 weeks of benefits permanently. However, don't let that discourage you from filing immediately - you can still get benefits going forward. When you file your initial claim, be honest about the delay and explain that you were actively job searching. Sometimes they'll approve a week or two of backdating if you have documentation of your job search efforts during that period. The important thing now is to file today and then make sure you certify for benefits every single week going forward, even if you're still job hunting.

If you've exhausted all the calling options without success, one other official channel is your state representative's office. Each district has staff specifically to help constituents with government services issues. Look up your NY State Assembly or Senate representative, call their local office, and explain your unemployment identity verification issue. They often have direct contacts at NYSDOL who can assist with these situations.

I went through this nightmare last year and want to share what finally worked for me. After weeks of calling with no success, I discovered that NY unemployment has a live chat feature that's available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. You access it through your NY.gov unemployment account - look for a small "Live Chat" button usually at the bottom right of the page. The chat agents can actually initiate the alternative identity verification process right there and send you a secure link to upload your documents (driver's license, birth certificate, utility bill, etc.). It took me 3 tries to catch someone during a less busy time, but once I got through, my identity was verified within 24 hours. Pro tip: Try the chat feature around 11am or 2pm when call volume is typically lower. Way less stressful than calling repeatedly!