Can't access my Key2Benefits card account - ny unemployment payments stuck
So last week I suddenly couldn't login to my Key2Benefits card account where my unemployment payments get deposited. I've been receiving benefits for about 3 months now after getting laid off from my restaurant job in April. The website keeps giving me some error about 'account temporarily locked' even though I'm 100% sure I'm using the right password. Called the number on the back of the card like 20 times but it's always just automated messages and then disconnects. What's driving me crazy is I can see from my unemployment portal that they deposited around $930 last Wednesday but I can't access it! Anyone else dealing with this right now? Do I need to go to a bank branch or something? This is super stressful because my rent is due in 5 days and I literally can't get my money.
41 comments
Mateo Rodriguez
Yup, happened to me too. Their system is glitching like crazy. Try clearing your cache and cookies, then use a different browser. That worked for me after like 5 attempts.
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Nia Thompson
•Tried that already with Chrome, Firefox AND Edge. Still getting locked out every time 😩
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Aisha Abdullah
•have u tried using incognito mode? sometimes that works for weird website issues
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Nia Thompson
•Just tried incognito - same problem. Says my account is locked for "security reasons" 🙄
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Ethan Wilson
After struggling with the same problem for DAYS I finally got through by using Claimyr.com - it's a service that calls Key2Benefits for you and connects you with an actual human! Talking to an agent got my account unlocked in like 5 minutes. Best thing I did to finally get my money. They have a video explaining how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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NeonNova
•sounds too good to be true tbh... does it actually work?
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Ethan Wilson
•Yeah it does! I was skeptical too but I was desperate after trying to call for 3 days straight. The service called for me and got me connected to someone who fixed my account. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent.
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Yuki Tanaka
•another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol
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Ethan Wilson
•I get the skepticism, I felt the same way. But talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast after days of getting nowhere. You can try calling yourself 100 times if you want 🤷♀️
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Carmen Diaz
•wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS?
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Ethan Wilson
•It worked for me! They just stay on hold so you don't have to. When an agent picks up, they connect you. I was able to explain my situation and get my account unlocked.
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Andre Laurent
This is a KNOWN ISSUE with Key2Benefits right now. Their system is flagging accounts as suspicious for no reason. I work in IT and I've seen multiple reports about this. You need to call their fraud department directly at 866-295-2955 instead of the regular number.
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Emily Jackson
i had this exact same problem!! kept getting locked out for like 2 weeks. I had to physically go to a KeyBank branch with my ID and they reset everything for me. super annoying but it fixed it.
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Nia Thompson
•There's no KeyBank branches near me in NYC though? I thought they were mostly upstate?
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Emily Jackson
•Oh shoot ur right, I'm in buffalo. Maybe try calling the ny unemployment office directly instead of key2benefits?
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Liam Mendez
Try resetting your password through the "forgot password" link. Then check your email (including spam folder) immediately. Sometimes their reset emails expire super fast.
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Nia Thompson
•Already tried that 3 times. The reset email never comes through. Called my email provider and confirmed they're not blocking anything. It's like their system is completely broken.
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Sophia Nguyen
Honestly the entire NY unemployment system is held together with duct tape and prayers. I've had nothing but problems since day 1.
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Jacob Smithson
•TRUTH. Their website feels like it was built in 1997 and never updated 💯
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Isabella Brown
•the system wasnt designed to actually help people. it was designed to be so frustrating that people give up.
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Maya Patel
•You should see California's system. Makes NY look high-tech in comparison lmao
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Aiden Rodríguez
OK here's what you need to do (I used to work as a financial systems analyst): First, the Key2Benefits system has a major security feature that locks accounts after failed attempts, but their error messages are terrible. When they say "locked" it can mean different things: 1. If you've tried 3+ times with the wrong password, it's a 24-hour lockout 2. If their system detected a login from a new device/location, it triggers a security lock 3. If there was ANY suspicious activity on your account (even just logging in from a different IP), they may have flagged it The regular customer service people CAN'T help with this - you need the security department. The best way to reach them is actually not by calling the main line (where you'll wait forever). Try calling early morning (like 7:30am) when the queue is shorter or use a service like claimyr.com that will wait on hold for you. You'll need to verify your identity when you do get through - have your card, SSN, and address ready. Ask them specifically to check if your account has a security flag and request immediate removal if it does. In the meantime, if you're desperate for the cash, you might be able to transfer the funds using the mobile app instead of the website - sometimes it uses a different authentication system.
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you so much for this detailed info!! I'll try the early morning call tomorrow and see if I can get through. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain all this.
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Aiden Rodríguez
•No problem! The system is frustrating but fixable. Let us know if you get it resolved.
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Emma Garcia
•This is really helpful information, I've been dealing with the same issue but wasn't sure about the mobile app option. I'll check it out.
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Ava Kim
try using the mobile app instead of the website, sometimes it works when the site is being stupid
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Ethan Anderson
Have u tried using a VPN? Sometimes these banking sites block certain IP addresses for security reasons. My friend had this problem and changing his location with a VPN fixed it.
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Layla Mendes
•I wouldn't recommend this. Using a VPN with banking sites can actually trigger MORE security flags. They track your usual login location.
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Ethan Anderson
•thats true, maybe not the best idea. just worked for my buddy 🤷♂️
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Lucas Notre-Dame
I swear the whole state of new york is trying to stop us from getting our money 🤬 These systems "break" way too often to be a coincidence.
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Aria Park
•conspiracy theory: they intentionally make it hard to access benefits so people just give up and stop claiming 👀
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Noah Ali
•Nah it's not a conspiracy, it's just underfunded government IT systems. Same reason the DMV computers look like they're from 1995.
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Aria Park
•Agree to disagree... I've worked in government. Sometimes the inefficiency IS the point.
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Chloe Boulanger
Contact your state rep!!! This happened to me and I was getting nowhere with Key2Benefits. I emailed my state assembly person and their office contacted unemployment on my behalf. Had it fixed in 2 days.
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James Martinez
Ugh this EXACT thing happened to me last month. Key2Benefits is the WORST. I ended up having to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before anyone would help me. You can do it online here: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
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Nia Thompson
•How long did the CFPB process take? I need this money asap...
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James Martinez
•It took about 5 days for me. Not instant but they are required by law to respond. Squeaky wheel gets the grease!
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Olivia Harris
i FINALLY got thru to someone by using claimyr.com. it's a service that calls and waits on hold for u, then connects you when a human answers. talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast, and i was in the exact same situation.
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Andre Laurent
•hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different?
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Olivia Harris
•the difference is it actually works lol. they just call and wait on hold so you don't have to. when they get someone they connect you. super simple and saved me hours of hold music.
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Alexander Zeus
•I tried calling for 3 days straight and kept getting disconnected. Used Claimyr and got through same day. Was literally the only way I could talk to a human at Key2Benefits.
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