NY unemployment tourism worker checks finally coming in the mail today!

Wait what?? I worked at a hotel downtown and never heard about this. Did they just automatically send emails to people who were on unemployment?

Yeah they sent emails to ppl who had filed for unemployment with certain employer codes. Some ppl had to verify with additional docs. I think you had to respond to the original email by January 15th tho 😕

Damn it! I must've missed it. Just checked my spam folder and nothing. This sucks...guess I'll just have to keep struggling 🤦‍♀️

This sounds like an ad. Does this actually work? I've been trying to reach someone about my missing payment for ages.

Not an ad lol, just grateful. Been trying to get through for literally 3 weeks. They just keep calling until they get through and then connect you with the agent. My check wasn't coming because they had my old address.

yeah right, another 'miracle solution'... what's the catch? 🙄

The catch is you pay them to do the calling for you instead of sitting on hold for 4 hours. Worth every penny when you're trying to get thousands in benefits released. Just sharing what worked for me.

wait hold up - does this actually work or is it just the usual BS? i've been on hold so many times i'm about to lose my mind

It worked for me - they just keep auto-dialing until they get through then call you when there's an actual person. Saved me hours of hold music torture.

Same here. Called the help line and they said "it's being processed" whatever TF that means. Been "processing" for 2 months now!

I just got mine today and I was one of the last people who applied. Maybe check if they have your correct address?

So glad you got yours! Happy to help 💯

You can try calling the tourism relief hotline at 888-209-8124. Have your NY unemployment info ready. But good luck getting through - took me 9 tries.

Thx for the info! Will try tmrw. Hate these phone systems tho. Never get thru.

I had the same issue. Spent forever trying to reach someone. Finally used claimyr.com and got through in like an hour. They told me I was eligible but my email was wrong in the system.

This is super helpful, thank you! Was finally able to get through to an agent thanks to your advice and turns out I was eligible all along! They're sending my check now.

not falling for another unemployment 'hack'... these never work

Not a hack, just sharing what worked for me after weeks of frustration. If you don't want to try it that's fine, just wanted to help others who are stuck like I was.

Mine was exactly $2550 which is what they said in the email. Might depend on how many weeks you were unemployed during the eligibility period.

Hmm I was out for the entire period and only got $2300. Guess I need to call and figure out why. Great, another fun day on hold 😩

Try claimyr.com - it's what I used after spending days trying to get someone on the phone. They got me connected to an agent who fixed my claim amount.

Yes, they're taxable. Says it in the fine print of the letter that came with mine. No withholding taken out so set some aside for tax time.

Ugh of course they are. Thanks for the heads up, will put some aside.

No, it's considered pandemic relief, not income for unemployment purposes. Won't affect your weekly benefit amount.

Thank you! That's a relief.

They probably did it for security reasons. Better than having "MONEY ENCLOSED" on the envelope lol. But yeah the system is a joke.

True but they could at least put some kind of official marking. My check almost became confetti in my shredder 😂

That's actually helpful info, thanks! Mine ends in 82 so I'll look for it next week.

How did you get through?? I've been calling for days and cant get past the automated system

Honestly just pure luck. Called right when they opened at 8am. Tried claimyr.com for my husband's claim though and that worked way better.

Mine cleared in 2 days with Chase. Might depend on your bank's policies for govt checks.

I thought the same thing until I tried claimyr.com after 2 months of getting nowhere. Got through to an agent who fixed my issue in 10 minutes. Sometimes these services actually work 🤷‍♀️

Hmm interesting. Might have to check it out cuz I'm STILL trying to sort out why my tourism check is less than what it should be.

It's a separate program specifically for tourism, hospitality and entertainment workers who lost jobs during the shutdown. They used unemployment records to identify eligible people but it's a one-time payment, not weekly benefits.

Oooh ok got it. Thanks for explaining! I was in retail so guess I don't qualify anyway.