How long for NY unemployment direct deposit card to arrive after benefits released?
I just got approved for unemployment in New York last week after waiting for almost 5 weeks. The website shows that I have 3 payments (about $1230) released already, but I still haven't received the KeyBank debit card they're supposed to send. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for that card to arrive? And will the money automatically load onto it once I get it? I'm really stressing because my rent is due in a few days and I've been surviving on ramen and my roommate's leftovers for the past month. I tried calling the unemployment office but gave up after being on hold for 2 hours. Also, is there any way to track the card or speed up the delivery? This waiting game is killing me.
41 comments


Ava Thompson
It took about 7-10 business days for my KeyBank card to arrive. And yes, once you activate it, all your payments should already be on there. They don't wait for you to activate it before loading the funds. Just keep checking your payment history on the website to make sure the money is released. Good luck!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Thanks for the info! Did you get any kind of email or notification when they shipped the card? I haven't gotten any updates at all.
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Ava Thompson
•No notification at all, it just showed up in my mailbox one day. The system is pretty terrible with communication tbh
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Miguel Ramos
•mine took 12 days but I also live in a rural area, might be faster in the city
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Zainab Ibrahim
I was in the exact same situation and was going crazy waiting for the card. I found this service called claimyr.com that got me through to an actual human at unemployment. They were able to tell me exactly when my card was mailed and even offered to expedite a replacement. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - check out this video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE
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StarSailor
•Is this for real? Sounds too good to be true honestly. No one can get through to unemployment 🤔
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Zainab Ibrahim
•Yeah it actually works. I was super skeptical too but was desperate after 3 weeks of trying. They stay on hold for you and call you when they get a rep. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent
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Connor O'Brien
•wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS? 💀
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Zainab Ibrahim
•It's not BS lol. They just automate the hold process so you don't have to sit there listening to that horrible music for hours. When they get someone, they connect you. Saved my sanity.
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Yara Sabbagh
•another day, another company promising to fix the unfixable unemployment system lol
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Zainab Ibrahim
•I mean, they can't fix the whole system but they got me through to an agent who could actually solve my problem. Better than nothing 🤷♀️
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Keisha Johnson
The KeyBank cards are the WORST! Mine took 14 days to arrive, then another 3 days to activate because their system was down. I wish NY unemployment would just let us set up direct deposit right away instead of defaulting to these stupid cards.
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Paolo Rizzo
Pro tip: Once you get the card, immediately set up direct deposit to your regular bank account. You can do it through the KeyBank website after you activate the card. That way you don't have to keep using that card for future payments.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Didn't realize you could do this! Definetly gonna set this up asap when I get the card.
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QuantumQuest
•Make sure you write down all the info when you first log in! Their password reset system is horrible if you forget.
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Amina Sy
I had this same issue back in Febuary and the card never came after 3 weeks. Turned out it was sent to my old address even though I updated everything in the system. You might want to double check your address is correct in your unemployment account. If not, youl need to call KeyBank directly at 1-866-295-2955 to get a replacement.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Just checked and my address is correct. Guess I'm just stuck waiting 😒
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Oliver Fischer
I hate to be that guy, but have you considered reaching out to your landlord about your situation? Might be worth explaining that your unemployment is approved but you're waiting on the card. Some landlords will work with you if you can show proof the money is coming.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Yeah I already did that. He's giving me until the end of the week before late fees kick in. Not the most understanding person tbh
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Natasha Petrova
•Your landlord sounds like mine. Zero sympathy, just wants that $$$. Typical new york experience 🙄
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Javier Morales
Here's what you need to know about the NY unemployment payment process and KeyBank cards (I used to work as a financial advisor and have helped many clients with this): After approval, it typically takes 7-10 business days for your KeyBank card to arrive in a plain white envelope - many people miss it thinking it's junk mail, so check your mail carefully. Your funds are already loaded onto the card before you receive it, so once you activate it, you'll have immediate access to your money. All released payments shown on your account will be there. If you're in a hurry, you have options: 1. Call KeyBank directly at 1-866-295-2955 to check if your card has been mailed and when 2. Request expedited shipping for a new card if needed (there may be a fee) 3. Use a service like claimyr.com to get through to unemployment directly - they'll connect you with a live agent who can help track your card or potentially release direct deposit instead Once you get the card, immediately set up direct deposit transfer to your regular bank account through the KeyBank portal. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but your money is secure and will get to you!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•This is so helpful, thank you!! I'll check my mail more carefully. Really hoping it comes soon.
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Emma Davis
•That claimyr site really works? I've been trying to get through for weeks about my missing payments.
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Javier Morales
•Yes, several of my clients have used it successfully. It's basically a service that waits on hold for you then calls you when they get a live agent. Much better than wasting your whole day on hold.
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GalaxyGlider
Just an FYI, NY unemployment doesn't notify you about anything 🤦♀️ I swear their system is stuck in 2003.
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Malik Robinson
honestly i just kept calling keybank directly until someone helped me. unemployment office is useless for these questions. but yeah, the money will be on there as soon as u activate!
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Isabella Silva
My roomate went thru this. If u dont get the card after 2 weeks DEF call keybank. They might have sent it to wrong address.
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Ravi Choudhury
•this happened to me too! they sent it to an address i lived at 3 YEARS AGO even tho my current address was in the system
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Freya Andersen
Have you tried contacting your state representative? I was having issues with ny unemployment and my rep's office actually got things fixed within 48 hrs. Worth a shot.
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Omar Farouk
The whole KeyBank debit card system is a total scam. They make interest off your money while you wait for the card 🤮 NY unemployment should just let us choose direct deposit from the start!
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CosmicCadet
•100% THIS!! Its all about them making $ off our benefits. The whole system is corrupt.
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Chloe Harris
•Actually you CAN choose direct deposit from the start now, but they hide the option during signup. Classic NY bureaucracy.
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Diego Mendoza
FYI those keybank cards have some stupid fees if you use them wrong. Make sure you use in-network ATMs and avoid cash back at stores. Better yet, just transfer everything to your normal bank asap
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Anastasia Popova
If you're really in a bind waiting for the card, try calling claimyr.com - they got me through to unemployment when I had payment issues. The agent was able to help expedite my card delivery. It was the best money I've ever spent to finally get my benefits paid quickly.
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Sean Flanagan
•hmm I've been burned by so many of these 'services' before... what makes this different?
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Anastasia Popova
•It's not like those scammy unemployment 'helpers' - they don't file anything for you or ask for any account details. They literally just connect you with the actual NY unemployment office by staying on hold so you don't have to. Then you talk directly to a real state employee.
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Giovanni Moretti
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got approved last week and have been obsessively checking my mailbox every day. It's so stressful when you're broke and waiting for that card to show up. From what I'm reading here, sounds like 7-14 days is normal but the lack of any tracking or notifications makes it feel like forever. Really hoping yours shows up soon - the rent stress is so real! Maybe try calling KeyBank directly like others suggested to at least confirm it was mailed to the right address?
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Zara Rashid
•Oh wow, we're literally in the same boat! The mailbox checking is driving me crazy too - I swear I've been running to check it like 3 times a day. It's wild that in 2025 there's still no way to track something this important. I'm definitely going to call KeyBank tomorrow to at least confirm they have the right address. Fingers crossed both our cards show up this week! 🤞
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Harper Collins
I feel your pain! I went through this same nightmare about 6 months ago. My KeyBank card took exactly 9 business days to arrive, and yes, all the money was already loaded on it when I activated it. The worst part is they send it in this super plain envelope that looks like junk mail - I almost threw mine away! Here's what helped me: I called KeyBank at 1-866-295-2955 around 8am and they were able to confirm my card had been mailed and give me the expected delivery window. Way more helpful than trying to get through to the unemployment office. Also, the second you get that card, log into the KeyBank website and set up direct deposit to your regular bank account so you never have to deal with this waiting game again. Hang in there - I know how stressful it is when rent is due and you're living on ramen. Your money is sitting there waiting for you, it's just the delivery that sucks. Check your mail really carefully for anything that doesn't look important!
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Liam Fitzgerald
•This is super helpful! I had no idea they send it in such a plain envelope - I definitely would have thrown that away thinking it was junk mail. I'm going to call KeyBank first thing tomorrow morning at 8am like you suggested. It's reassuring to know that all the money will already be loaded when I get it. The direct deposit tip is gold too - I'll set that up immediately so I never have to go through this stress again. Thanks for sharing your experience, it really helps to know I'm not alone in this frustrating process!
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CosmicCommander
I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and I totally understand the stress! My KeyBank card took 11 business days to arrive, which felt like an eternity when I was broke and anxious. The good news is that once you get it and activate it, all your released payments will already be loaded on there - you don't have to wait for them to transfer the money after activation. A few things that might help while you wait: - Check your mail super carefully - the card comes in a plain white envelope that seriously looks like junk mail - Call KeyBank at 1-866-295-2955 early in the morning (around 8am) to confirm they have your correct address and when it was mailed - If you're really desperate to talk to unemployment, I've heard good things about that claimyr service others mentioned - they basically wait on hold for you The waiting is the worst part but your money is secure and coming! Once you get the card, definitely set up direct deposit to your regular bank right away through the KeyBank website so you never have to deal with this card delivery stress again. Hang in there - I know how rough it is surviving on ramen while waiting for benefits! 🙏
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