How does unemployment pay you - NYS Department of Labor payment methods explained
I just got approved for unemployment benefits after my restaurant closed down last month. I'm confused about how NYS Department of Labor actually sends you the money? Do they mail checks or is it direct deposit? I set up my banking info during the application but I'm not sure if that automatically means direct deposit. Also how long after I file my weekly claim should I expect to see the payment? This is my first time dealing with unemployment so I have no idea what to expect.
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Mei Lin
NYS Department of Labor offers several payment options. Direct deposit is the fastest - if you provided your bank account info during setup, that's what you'll get. Payments typically arrive 2-3 business days after you file your weekly claim. You can also get a debit card (KeyBank) if you didn't set up direct deposit. Check your my.ny.gov account to see which payment method is active.
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Jamal Wilson
•Thanks! I did enter my bank info so hopefully that means direct deposit. Do I need to do anything else to confirm it?
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Liam Fitzgerald
yeah they send it to your bank account if you set that up. mine comes every tuesday usually but sometimes wednesday depending on when i file my weekly claim
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Amara Nnamani
The payment timing depends on when you file your weekly claim. If you file Sunday-Tuesday, you'll typically see the deposit Wednesday-Thursday. If you file later in the week, it might not process until the following week. NYS Department of Labor processes payments in batches, so there can be slight delays during high-volume periods.
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Giovanni Mancini
•Wait, so if I file my weekly claim on Friday I have to wait until the next week to get paid? That seems really long...
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Amara Nnamani
•Not necessarily the next week, but it might delay by a few days. That's why most people file early in the week to get faster processing.
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NebulaNinja
I had so much trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on my payment status when my first deposit was delayed. Kept getting disconnected after being on hold forever. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person at the unemployment office. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling and hanging up.
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Jamal Wilson
•Interesting, I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues. Hopefully my payments come through smoothly though.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims on time! Even if there's a delay in payment, you need to certify every week or you'll lose those benefits permanently. NYS Department of Labor doesn't give you much wiggle room on missed certifications.
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Amun-Ra Azra
One thing to add - you can check your payment method and status by logging into your NY.gov account and looking at the "Payment Information" section. It will show whether you're set up for direct deposit or the debit card option. Also, NYS Department of Labor sends email notifications when payments are processed, so keep an eye on your inbox. The first payment sometimes takes a bit longer than usual while they verify everything, but after that it should be pretty consistent timing-wise.
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Esmeralda Gómez
•That's really helpful about checking the NY.gov account! I didn't know they sent email notifications when payments are processed - I'll make sure to watch for those. Good to know the first payment might take longer too, so I won't panic if it's not exactly on schedule. Thanks for the detailed info!
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PrinceJoe
Another tip - if you're getting the KeyBank debit card instead of direct deposit, it usually arrives within 7-10 business days after your first payment is processed. The card comes with instructions on how to set up a PIN and access ATMs. Just be aware that there might be fees for certain transactions like out-of-network ATM withdrawals, so read the fee schedule carefully when you get it. You can also transfer money from the card to your regular bank account if you prefer, though there might be a small fee for that too.
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NeonNebula
•This is really good info about the KeyBank debit card option! I'm curious - do you know if you can switch from the debit card to direct deposit later on, or are you stuck with whatever payment method you initially chose? Also, are there any ATMs where you can withdraw without fees, or do you pretty much have to pay fees no matter what?
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