Just wanted to update - my payment came through this morning! So it was exactly 2 business days like everyone said. Thanks for the reassurance, I was definitely overthinking it.

I'm in a similar situation - just got approved after a long wait and submitted my first weekly certification two days ago. Still haven't seen the deposit but reading these responses is really reassuring. It sounds like 2-4 business days is totally normal. I bank with Wells Fargo so hoping to see it by end of week. The anxiety of waiting for that first payment after all the paperwork and delays is real!

Also worth noting that if you do get an overpayment notice, you can appeal it if you think it's wrong. NYS Department of Labor has to prove you weren't eligible for the benefits. Sometimes their calculations are wrong or they don't have all the information about your situation.

Just went through this myself - got an overpayment notice for $3,400 last month. The key thing to understand is that NYS Department of Labor can request repayment even years later if they discover an error or if your situation changes. In my case, it was because I had reported my severance pay incorrectly when I first applied. The scariest part is they can take it from future tax refunds or garnish wages if you don't pay. My advice: keep detailed records of everything you report on your weekly claims and save all your documentation. If you're unsure about anything, it's better to call and ask than to guess wrong.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Verified through ID.me on Monday and it's now Thursday with no payment yet. Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring though - sounds like 3-7 days is pretty normal depending on your bank and whether it's your first payment. I keep obsessively checking my account every few hours but I'm going to try to be patient until early next week. The stress of waiting when you have bills coming due is real though! At least we know the backpay will cover everything once it finally comes through. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines - this thread is way more helpful than the official NYSDOL website!

I went through this same anxiety last year! After my ID.me verification, it took exactly 4 business days for the payment to hit my account. Here's what I learned from the experience: 1. The "3-5 business days" timeline is pretty accurate for most people, but it doesn't include weekends or holidays 2. Your first payment often takes longer than subsequent weekly payments 3. Even if there's a delay, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you were eligible Since you verified on Tuesday, I'd expect to see something by Monday at the latest. In the meantime, make sure you keep certifying your weekly benefits even if you haven't received payment yet - that's super important to keep your claim active. One thing that helped my stress was setting up account alerts with my bank so I'd get a text when any deposit came through, rather than checking constantly. The money will come, I know it's nerve-wracking when rent is due but hang in there!

did u get an actual monetary determination letter? that would tell u how much ur supposed to get each week. if u didnt get that yet then somethings definitely wrong

Hey Zara! I went through this exact same thing last month. That email basically means you're approved but there's usually still a processing delay before you actually see the money. A few things to check: 1) Make sure you're answering the weekly certification questions correctly - especially the "ready, willing and able to work" one (answer YES even if you had appointments or interviews during the week), 2) Double check your direct deposit info is correct in your account, and 3) Be patient - the first payment often takes 2-3 weeks after that approval email. If it's been longer than that or you think you answered a certification question wrong, you'll need to call them. The phone lines are brutal but keep trying right at 8am or consider using one of those callback services people mentioned. Hang in there!

this is exactly why i hate when people act like unemployment is a handout. WE PAID FOR THIS through our work history and our employers contributions!!

Your neighbor really needs to understand that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance. Just like how you pay car insurance premiums so you're covered if you get in an accident, employers pay unemployment insurance premiums so their workers are covered if they lose their job through no fault of their own. You didn't choose to be unemployed, and the money you're receiving was specifically set aside for situations like yours. It's not charity or welfare - it's an earned benefit that's part of our employment system.