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How long to receive debit card after filing for partial ny unemployment due to reduced hours?

My job has been playing games with my hours. Started me at 32 hours weekly back in April, then started cutting me down to 19, 14, sometimes even 11 hours per week without warning. Filed for partial unemployment about three weeks ago since this was clearly not enough to live on. Funny thing - the week after my employer got notified about my claim, they suddenly bumped me up to 38 hours! Obviously couldn't claim that week. But I've been certifying for all the previous weeks with reduced hours. Now I'm wondering how long it typically takes to receive the debit card in the mail? I've certified for 3 weeks now and still nothing has arrived. Getting kinda worried since rent is coming up. Anyone deal with this before?

Ethan Taylor

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For me it took about 12 days to get the card in the mail. But that was last summer, so who knows what the timeframe is like now with all the backlogs. Have you checked ur claim status online to see if payments have been approved yet?

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Aisha Khan

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Yeah I checked online and it says the payments were released but i still don't have the card. guess ill keep waiting 😩

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Yuki Ito

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u might wanna call and check. sometimes they dont even send it out and just expect u to set up direct deposit. the whole system is a joke

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Aisha Khan

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Ugh I was afraid someone would say that. Been trying to call for 2 days now with no luck

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Carmen Lopez

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I was in the exact same situation with my retail job cutting hours. I couldn't get through to anyone on the phone for DAYS. Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me a callback with a live agent within 2 hours. Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast, totally worth it. They have this demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

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Andre Dupont

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sounds sketch af. another company promising miracles? does it actually work? 🤔

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Carmen Lopez

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I was skeptical too but it's just a callback service. They stay on hold for you then call when they get through. saved me so much time and frustration

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QuantumQuasar

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Ive tried calling for weeks with no luck. might check this out cuz im desperate at this point

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not another unemployment life hack 🙄 these things are usually useless

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Carmen Lopez

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listen I was about to throw my phone after being on hold for 6+ hours across 3 days. This actually worked for me but do whatever u want lol

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Jamal Wilson

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TYPICAL. Employers pulling this crap all the time. They cut hours just enough to make life impossible but not enough to qualify for full benefits.Then suddenly give hours back when DOL contacts them. It's a documented strategy to avoid paying unemployment insurance. Tbh you might start looking for a new job cuz they'll probably cut your hours again in a few weeks when they think the heat is off.

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Mei Lin

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My debit card took almost 3 weeks to arrive. The payments will be loaded once the card arrives. You could also set up direct deposit on the website and future payments will go there instead of the card. Might be faster.

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Aisha Khan

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How do I setup direct deposit if I dont have the card yet? Don't I need some info from the card first?

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Mei Lin

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Nope! Just log into your DOL account, go to payment methods, and you can set up direct deposit there with your bank info. Don't need the card at all.

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Aisha Khan

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Omg thank u!! Just did this. Hope it works for the payments they already approved

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Bro I LITERALLY went through this exact same bs with my manager at the restaurant I work at. They cut me down from like 30 hrs to sometimes just 10-12 hrs a week. Finally applied for partial unemployment and magically my hours went back up lolll. The card took about 15 days to arrive for me. Hang in there.

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Aisha Khan

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Thx man, nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this nonsense

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yeah its super common. they know exactly what theyre doing. just document everythimg in case they try to contest your claim later

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Amara Nnamani

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If u need $ ASAP while waiting, call and request expedited processing. Say it's a financial hardship. I did this when I was about to miss my car payment and they helped me get it faster. Took me forever to reach a human tho. Use claimyr.com to get past the hold times.

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woah rly? didn't know they could expedite... how much faster did u get it?

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Amara Nnamani

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Got my card 4 days after the expedite request instead of the usual 2-3 weeks. Had to explain my situation to the rep and they flagged it as urgent. Not guaranteed but worth asking!

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NebulaNinja

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Here's what you need to know about NY unemployment debit cards and partial benefits: First, the card timing: Bank of America usually sends the card 7-10 business days after your first payment is processed. The system is backed up right now, so it's taking closer to 14-21 days for many people. While waiting: 1. Set up direct deposit through your online account NOW - this will route future payments to your bank account 2. Document ALL your work hours meticulously - employers sometimes contest partial claims 3. If your employer is manipulating your hours, report them through the DOL website for possible labor violations 4. Keep certifying weekly, even if you haven't received payments yet For fastest resolution, you absolutely need to speak with a claims specialist. Regular website support can't help with payment issues. After helping hundreds of people in similar situations on this forum, I've found claimyr.com is the most reliable way to get through the phone maze. It's the only service that consistently gets people past the hold times. Finally, know your rights - if your employer is retaliating by temporarily increasing hours after your UI claim, that's potentially illegal. Document everything. New York has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country.

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Aisha Khan

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This is SUPER helpful, thank you! Just set up direct deposit. Will def document everything with my employer too

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Adding to this excellent advice - make sure your address is 100% correct in the system. Even a small error can delay the card by weeks or get it sent back.

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The part about employer retaliation is so important. Take screenshots of your schedules showing how they cut hours then suddenly increased them after the DOL notice!

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Sofia Morales

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You can actually call Bank of America directly to check on the status of your unemployment card! Their number is on the NY DOL website. Much easier to get through than calling unemployment directly.

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Aisha Khan

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Omg thank you!! Didn't even think of this. Will try tomorrow

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Dmitry Popov

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Anyone else notice that nysdol is taking FOREVER for everything lately? Used to be much faster when i filed back in 2020. Seems like they want to make it as difficult as possible now 😡

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Ava Garcia

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yup. system is designed to be frustrating so people give up. classic govt strategy 🤡

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StarSailor}

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Totally agree. My cousin waited 5 weeks for her card. Its ridiculous

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Miguel Silva

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I think they're still shortstaffed. Heard they lost like half their workforce after the pandemic rush

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Zainab Ismail

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na its on purpose. fewer people who successfully claim = less money they gotta pay out

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Word of advice, start looking for a new job ASAP. Ive worked in HR and bosses HATE when employees file for partial unemployment. They'll act nice for a few weeks then start messing with your schedule again or find some bs reason to write you up.

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Aisha Khan

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Already on it... applied to 5 places this week. Just need this money to get through until I find something better

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Yara Nassar

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💯 this. They see you as disloyal now, no matter how unfair that is. Get out while you can.

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i just wanted to say that this kind of hour manipulation is ILLEGAL in new york but nobody ever gets punished for it. its so frustrating. document everything in case you need to file a complaint later

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The best thing i did was chatting with an agent online instead of calling. went to the ny.gov site, clicked chat, and got help in like 20 min. They helped me check payment status and gave tips on getting the card faster.

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Paolo Ricci

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when i tried the chat it just kept me waiting for 2 hours then disconnected 🙃

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yeah it can be hit or miss. best time is early morning right when they open. dont try during lunch hours

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Amina Toure

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Have u tried checking ur mailbox at your old address? Sometimes they send it there even if u updated ur info. happened to me and i was waiting for weeks like an idiot while my card was sitting in my old apartment's mailbox 😭

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Aisha Khan

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I've been at the same address for years so shouldnt be an issue, but good tip for others!

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just fyi your card might come in a very plain envelope that looks like junk mail. almost threw mine away by accident. watch for mail from Bank of America with a return address from someplace random like Texas or Kentucky.

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