Does NYS Department of Labor unemployment send you a debit card for benefits?
I'm about to file my first unemployment claim and I'm confused about how I'll actually receive the money. Does NYS Department of Labor automatically send you a debit card, or do I need to request one? I've heard different things from people - some say it comes in the mail automatically, others say you have to set up direct deposit. What's the actual process? I don't want to miss getting my benefits because I didn't do something I was supposed to do.
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Keisha Johnson
Yes, NYS Department of Labor will automatically send you a KeyBank debit card once your claim is approved and your first payment is processed. You don't need to request it - it comes in plain envelope within 7-10 business days of your first payment being issued. You can also set up direct deposit through your my.ny.gov account if you prefer, but the debit card is the default method.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Thanks! Do I need to activate the card when it arrives or does it come ready to use?
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Paolo Rizzo
the card comes deactivated you have to call the number on the sticker to activate it first, took me like 5 minutes when i got mine last year
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QuantumQuest
I'd recommend setting up direct deposit instead if you can. The debit card works fine but there are ATM fees at most machines except KeyBank ATMs. With direct deposit, your benefits go straight to your checking account with no fees. You can change your payment method in your online account under 'Payment Method' after your claim is approved.
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Amina Sy
•Wait, there are ATM fees with the unemployment debit card? How much are they typically?
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QuantumQuest
•Usually $2-3 per transaction at non-KeyBank ATMs. You can avoid fees by using KeyBank ATMs or getting cash back at stores that offer it.
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Oliver Fischer
I've been fighting with NYS Department of Labor for weeks trying to get someone on the phone about my claim status. If you're having trouble reaching them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
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Natasha Petrova
•How much does something like that cost? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor.
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Oliver Fischer
•I get the frustration, but honestly it was worth it for me. I was stressed about my claim being stuck in adjudication and needed answers. Sometimes you just need to get through to resolve things quickly.
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Javier Morales
Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the debit card! I made that mistake thinking I should wait until I got the card first. You still need to certify every week or you'll miss out on those weeks of benefits.
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Connor Byrne
For what it's worth, I just went through this process last month. The KeyBank debit card does come automatically once your first payment is processed - no action needed on your part. But I'd echo what others said about considering direct deposit. I initially used the debit card for a couple weeks but then switched to direct deposit because the ATM fees were adding up. You can change your payment method online pretty easily through your NY.gov account once your claim is established. Also, don't stress too much about missing anything - the system is pretty straightforward once you get your first payment processed.
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Rami Samuels
•That's really helpful to hear from someone who just went through it recently! How long did it take from when you filed your claim to when you actually received your first payment? I'm trying to get a realistic timeline for planning purposes.
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Jay Lincoln
•@Rami Samuels In my case, it took about 3 weeks from filing to receiving the first payment. The first week was just processing my initial application, then I had to wait for two weekly certifications before the payment was released. But this can vary a lot depending on if there are any issues with your claim - some people get paid faster, others take longer if there are complications. The debit card arrived about a week after that first payment was processed.
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Grace Patel
Just want to add that when you do get the KeyBank debit card, make sure to read the fine print that comes with it. There are some daily withdrawal limits (I think it's $500 per day) and you can only make a certain number of free transactions per month at non-KeyBank locations. I learned this the hard way when I was trying to withdraw larger amounts to pay rent. Also, if you lose the card, there's a replacement fee, so keep it safe! The direct deposit option really is more convenient if you have a bank account set up already.
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Andre Moreau
•This is really good to know about the daily limits and fees! I hadn't thought about the replacement fee if you lose the card. Quick question - do you know if there's a way to check your balance on the KeyBank debit card without fees? Like through an app or website? I want to make sure I can keep track of my benefits without getting hit with extra charges.
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