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just got mine yesterday, the keybank one. took exactly 8 days from when my first payment posted. make sure to read all the paperwork!!
That's good to know! Did you have any issues activating it? I'm still waiting for mine and want to make sure I know what to expect when it arrives.
I can confirm it's definitely the KeyBank card with the NYS logo. Got mine about 3 weeks ago and it's been working fine. One thing to note - if you need cash, try to use KeyBank ATMs when possible since you get one free withdrawal per payment cycle. Other ATMs will charge fees on top of the card's fees. Also, you can transfer money from the card to your regular bank account through the GoProgram website, though there might be a small fee for that too. Just wanted to add that info since fees seem to be a concern for folks here!
My friend got unemployment when she quit because her boss was sexually harassing her. She had to prove it was for good cause but NYS Department of Labor approved her claim. Document everything if you decide to quit - emails, texts, schedule changes, anything that shows the working conditions became unreasonable.
Same thing happened to me except they cut me from full time to like 12 hours. I didn't know about partial benefits so I just suffered through it for months being broke all the time. wish someone had told me sooner!
That's exactly what I'm worried about - suffering through being broke when there might be help available! Did you ever end up applying for benefits later or did you just tough it out? I'm trying to figure out if I should apply for partial benefits now while still working the reduced hours or wait and see if things get better.
Final update: My payment just came through! It was 3 days later than usual but everything seems back to normal now. The new system actually has some nice features - I can see more details about my claim and there's even a messaging center where you can contact them directly (though who knows how long they take to respond). Thanks for all the help everyone!
Great to hear everything worked out for you! I went through the migration about a month ago and had a similar experience - confusing at first but the new system is actually pretty nice once you get used to it. One tip for anyone else going through this: if you use direct deposit, double-check that your banking info transferred correctly in the new system. Mine was there but I've heard some people had to re-enter it. Also, the mobile app works way better now if you prefer using your phone to certify.
Thanks for the banking tip! I didn't even think to check that. Just logged in and verified my direct deposit info is still there correctly. Good call on the mobile app too - I always used the desktop site before but I'll give the app a try. It's reassuring to hear from people who went through this already and came out fine on the other side!
just keep filing every week and eventually it works out. the system is slow but it does work eventually. took me about 3 weeks to get my first payment
I went through this same process about 6 months ago after getting laid off from my restaurant job. The waiting period is really nerve-wracking, especially when you're worried about bills! In my experience, it took about 2.5 weeks to get my monetary determination letter, and then I was able to receive my first payment the following week. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit right away in my online account - it made the payments come through faster than waiting for a debit card. Also, make sure you're checking your online account regularly for any correspondence or requests for additional information, because they don't always send email notifications. Hang in there, the process does work even though it feels slow when you're stressed about money.
Isabella Ferreira
The work authorization requirement is federal law, not just a New York thing. Even though your friend has been contributing through payroll taxes, the Social Security Administration and Department of Labor systems are connected to immigration databases. When NYS Department of Labor processes a claim, they verify work eligibility through these federal systems. If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor to get official confirmation, I've heard people mention using claimyr.com to get through to an agent faster. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'll let my friend know to look into other assistance programs instead of wasting time with an unemployment application that won't be approved.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
I work with an immigration advocacy group and can confirm what others have said - undocumented workers cannot receive regular UI benefits in NY despite paying taxes. However, your friend should know about a few alternatives: 1) Some counties have emergency rental assistance that doesn't check immigration status, 2) Food pantries and community organizations often provide help without documentation requirements, 3) If they were injured on the job, workers' compensation doesn't require legal status verification. I'd suggest contacting the New York Immigration Coalition or Make the Road NY - they have resources specifically for situations like this and can connect your friend with local assistance programs.
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