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Just wanted to add that if anyone else is dealing with wage calculation issues, it's worth checking if your employer uses a third-party payroll service like ADP or Paychex. Sometimes the error happens at that level when they submit quarterly reports to the state, not necessarily with your direct employer. I had a friend who discovered her payroll company had been using the wrong state reporting codes for months, which threw off her unemployment eligibility. The payroll company had to file corrected quarterly reports with NYSDOL to fix it. Just another angle to consider if the wage discrepancy seems really off!
That's a really good point about third-party payroll services! I never would have thought to check that angle. My company does use ADP actually, so maybe I should look into whether the issue originated there rather than with my direct employer. Thanks for sharing that - it gives me another avenue to explore if the reconsideration doesn't go smoothly. It's crazy how many different places an error can creep into this process!
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation last year. One thing that really helped me was requesting a copy of my complete wage record from NYSDOL before filing the reconsideration. You can do this through their online portal or by calling. It shows exactly what each employer reported for each quarter, which makes it much easier to identify where the discrepancy is coming from. In my case, I discovered that one of my previous employers had reported my wages under a slightly different version of my Social Security number (they had transposed two digits), so those wages weren't being counted at all. Once I had that wage record in hand, I could see exactly what was missing and provide the right documentation to fix it. The whole process took about 2 weeks once I had all the right paperwork together. Definitely keep certifying weekly like others have mentioned - I got backpay for all those weeks once everything was sorted out.
This is really helpful advice! I had no idea you could request your complete wage record from NYSDOL directly. That would definitely make it easier to spot exactly where things went wrong rather than just guessing. The SSN mix-up you mentioned is something I never would have thought to check for - that's such a specific thing that could totally mess up your entire claim without you realizing it. I'm going to request my wage record tomorrow morning so I can see the full picture before my reconsideration gets processed. Thanks for the tip about the backpay too - good to know they'll cover those weeks if everything gets approved!
This is happening to SO many people right now and it's absolutely infuriating! I've been using my Chime account for unemployment for about 6 months without any issues, then last week I got that same exact message about online banking not being accepted. I called the unemployment line probably 20 times and could never get through to an actual person. Finally broke down and accepted the KeyBank card but wow, the fees are insane! $2.50 just to check your balance, $1.50 to transfer money, and half the ATMs don't even work with it. I feel like we're being punished for using modern banking while we're already struggling financially. Has anyone found a traditional bank that doesn't require a huge minimum balance or monthly fees? I really don't want to get stuck paying bank fees on top of everything else when money is already so tight.
I feel your pain! I've been dealing with this nightmare for weeks now. For traditional banks without crazy fees, check out local credit unions - they usually have much better terms than big banks. Also, some online banks that are actually FDIC chartered (not just fintech apps) might still work. I heard Bank of America has a basic account with no monthly fee if you're under 25 or a student, and Chase has one too if you set up direct deposit. The whole situation is ridiculous though - like we don't have enough to worry about while unemployed! 😤
Same exact thing happened to me with my Current account! Worked perfectly for 5 months then suddenly got the "online banking not supported" error last week. I'm so frustrated because now I'm stuck with that KeyBank card and the fees are killing me - literally paid $4 yesterday just to get cash out at CVS because their ATM wasn't "in network." I called unemployment 12 times and finally got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned (totally worth the cost btw). The agent confirmed they're blocking pretty much all online-only banks now because of fraud issues. She said my only options are the debit card or opening an account at a traditional bank with physical branches. I ended up opening a basic checking at a local credit union - no monthly fees as long as I have direct deposit, which is way better than getting nickel and dimed by that awful KeyBank card. It's such a pain to have to do this when you're already stressed about money, but honestly it was the only way to avoid those ridiculous fees eating into my already small unemployment payments.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and still showing $0 weekly benefit amount even though I worked steadily for 18 months before getting laid off. I submitted the wage investigation request through my.ny.gov like others suggested but haven't heard anything back yet. The waiting is so stressful when you have bills to pay. Has anyone had success calling the wage investigation unit directly, or do you just have to wait for them to contact your employer?
I'm in the same boat as you and Maya - filed about the same time and still waiting on my wage investigation. From what I've read, there isn't a direct number for the wage investigation unit that actually gets answered. The regular NYS DOL phone lines just tell you to wait for them to process it. I've been keeping detailed records of all my paystubs and W-2 forms just in case they need additional documentation. The uncertainty is really tough when you're counting on this money!
I went through this exact situation last year and it was incredibly frustrating. What helped me was gathering all my documentation beforehand - W-2s, final paystubs, and any employment verification letters. When I finally got through to someone at NYS DOL after filing the wage investigation, they were able to process it faster because I had everything ready. Also, make sure to check if your employer went through any ownership changes or used a payroll company - sometimes wages get reported under different employer identification numbers which can cause this $0 issue. The backpay once it's resolved makes the wait somewhat worth it, but I know that doesn't help with immediate bills. Hang in there!
That's really helpful advice about gathering all the documentation upfront! I hadn't thought about the employer ID number issue - my company did switch payroll providers about 6 months before I got laid off. Could that be causing the problem with my wages not showing up? I have all my paystubs from both before and after the switch, so hopefully that will help when they investigate. Thanks for sharing your experience - it gives me hope that this will eventually get resolved even though the waiting is brutal right now.
I can confirm what others are saying - the Wednesday timeline is pretty accurate in my experience. I've been collecting for about 6 weeks now and as long as I certify by Sunday evening, the money hits my Chase account every Wednesday morning between 5-7am. One thing that really helped me was setting up account alerts so I get a text the moment the deposit comes through. That way I know exactly when I can pay rent and other bills without having to constantly check my balance. The NYS system might be clunky but at least the payment timing has been reliable for me.
That's smart about setting up the account alerts! I never thought of that but it would definitely help with planning. Chase seems to process things pretty quickly - I'm with a smaller credit union so I'm hoping they're just as reliable. Did you have any issues during your first few weeks or has it been smooth sailing from the start?
I've been getting my NYS unemployment payments for about 4 months now and can definitely confirm the Wednesday morning timeline. Usually hits my account between 3-6am on Wednesday if I certify by Sunday night. One tip that helped me - if you're worried about timing for rent, most landlords will accept a screenshot of your pending deposit or certification confirmation as proof that payment is coming. My landlord was understanding when I explained the NYS Department of Labor payment schedule. Also, if you have a good relationship with your bank, some will show pending ACH deposits a day early so you might see it Tuesday night. Just don't spend it until it actually clears!
This is really helpful info about the Wednesday timeline! I'm just starting out with unemployment benefits and the uncertainty about payment timing has been stressing me out. The tip about showing landlords the certification confirmation is brilliant - I never would have thought to ask about that. Do you know if the NYS Department of Labor sends any kind of email confirmation when they actually process the payment, or do you just have to wait and see when it hits your account?
Malik Jackson
Try calling the alternate number: 1-888-209-8124. Their main line is always jammed but sometimes this one has shorter wait times.
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Malik Jackson
•really? I got through yesterday after only 45 min wait
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StarSurfer
•use claimyr.com if you can't get through. way easier than trying yourself
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Dylan Evans
I had the exact same issue last week! What finally worked for me was switching to a different internet connection entirely - I went to a coffee shop and used their wifi. Apparently some ISPs have issues with the NY unemployment site's security certificates. Also make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might interfere. If that doesn't work, definitely document everything with screenshots showing the error messages and timestamps - that way you have proof you tried to meet the deadline. The system is absolutely terrible but don't let it stress you out too much, they can't penalize you for their technical problems if you can show you made good faith efforts to comply.
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