Why did NYS Department of Labor send unemployment debit card with no money on it?
Got my KeyBank ReliaCard in the mail yesterday but there's literally $0 on it. I check the balance online and it shows zero dollars available. My claim status still says pending but I thought they would at least put something on the card when they send it? This is confusing because I filed my claim 2 weeks ago and did my first weekly certification on Sunday. Is this normal or did something go wrong with my unemployment claim?
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Summer Green
The debit card gets sent automatically once your claim is processed in the system, but it won't have any money until your claim is actually approved and payments are released. The card activation and payment deposit are two separate steps in the NYS Department of Labor process. Check your online account to see if your claim is still in adjudication.
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Amun-Ra Azra
•That makes sense, thanks. My account just says 'claim under review' so I guess I have to wait for approval first.
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Gael Robinson
yeah this happened to me too they send the card way before any money gets put on it. took like 3 weeks after getting the card before i saw my first payment
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Edward McBride
This is actually standard procedure. The ReliaCard is issued as soon as your claim enters the system, but benefits won't be loaded until your weekly certifications are processed AND your claim clears any adjudication issues. Keep doing your weekly certifications even while waiting - those payments will be backdated once approved.
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Darcy Moore
•Wait so if I keep certifying while my claim is pending, I'll get all those weeks paid at once when it's approved? That would be amazing because I'm already 3 weeks behind on rent.
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Edward McBride
•Yes, exactly. As long as you continue filing your weekly claims on time, you'll receive retroactive payments for all eligible weeks once your claim is approved.
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Dana Doyle
I had trouble reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor to check on my claim status when this happened to me. The phone lines are always busy and their online chat never works. I ended up using claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Finally got answers about why my card was empty and when to expect payments.
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Amun-Ra Azra
•Never heard of that service but might try it if I can't get through this week. How long did it take them to connect you?
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Dana Doyle
•Way faster than trying to call myself. They handle the waiting and callbacks so you don't have to sit on hold forever.
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Liam Duke
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!! They send you a card to get your hopes up then make you wait weeks for actual money. I've been waiting 6 WEEKS for my adjudication to finish and still nothing on my card. Meanwhile bills keep piling up and they act like it's no big deal.
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Manny Lark
Don't stress too much, the empty card thing confused me at first too. Just means your paperwork is moving through the system. Keep checking your online account every few days and make sure you do those weekly certifications on time or you'll lose those weeks.
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