Hey Marcelle! I went through this exact process about 6 months ago when I got out of the Marines. Just to add to what everyone else said - make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after your separation date. I waited a few weeks thinking I needed to find a job first, but that just delayed my benefits starting. Also, if you have any questions about the UCX program specifically, the Department of Veterans Affairs has counselors who can walk you through it. They were super helpful when I was confused about which forms to submit. Good luck with your job search!

Just want to echo what others have said about filing ASAP - I made the mistake of waiting almost a month after my ETS thinking I should try to find work first. Big error! Also, when you're calculating your weekly benefit amount, don't forget that military pay is often bi-weekly, so make sure you're converting correctly. If you're having trouble with the online application, try going to a local One-Stop Career Center - they have staff trained specifically on veteran unemployment claims who can help you through the process in person. The one near me in Albany was super helpful and made sure I didn't miss any important details that could have delayed my claim.

Just got my benefits approved this week and I'm in the exact same boat! Still waiting on my Way2Go card but already switched to direct deposit after reading all these helpful responses. It's so reassuring to see the consistent 7-10 business day timeline everyone's sharing - I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong. Really glad I found this thread because now I understand the whole split payment system (old payments on card, new ones to bank account). The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you need those funds, but sounds like we just need to be patient and everything will work out. Thanks for asking this question - super helpful for all of us going through the same process! 🙏

Just went through this exact same process! My Way2Go card took about 8 business days to arrive, which is right in line with what everyone else is saying here. You made a really smart move switching to direct deposit right away - I waited way too long to do that and ended up dealing with card issues for weeks. Just make sure to activate the card when it arrives since any payments that were already processed before your direct deposit switch will be loaded on there. The online account portal is super helpful for tracking which payments go where. Based on everyone's timeline, you should see it within the next couple days. The waiting is stressful but you're definitely handling everything the right way! 💪

same thing happening to me right now... filed 2 weeks ago and still showing under review. this is so stressful when you need the money

I went through something similar a few months ago. NYS DOL will contact your employer if they need clarification about your separation, but it's not guaranteed they will. In your case, since you mentioned they cut your hours drastically, that could actually work in your favor - "constructive dismissal" where they essentially forced you out by making the job unviable. Make sure you have any documentation about the hour cuts (pay stubs, schedules, emails) because that can really help your case if they do investigate. The "under review" status is normal and can last anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending on their workload.

I'm with Santander Bank and wanted to share my experience for anyone else who might be banking with them! My payments consistently hit around 8:45am on Tuesday mornings. Just got my first payment last week after 17 days of waiting and it included all the back pay like everyone mentioned. The anxiety during those 2.5 weeks was absolutely brutal - I was checking my account multiple times a day! What finally helped was reading through threads like this and realizing the 2-3 week timeline is completely normal. I also started setting a phone alarm for Tuesday mornings at 9am to check my account just once instead of obsessively refreshing all morning. For anyone still in the waiting phase, I know it feels like forever but everyone here is right that it does come through with full back pay. The Tuesday morning routine is actually kind of nice once you get used to it! Hang in there everyone 💪

I'm with KeyBank and just wanted to add my experience to this amazing thread! My payments consistently hit around 7:45am on Tuesday mornings. Just received my first payment yesterday after 16 days of waiting and it came with all the back pay which was such a huge relief! The anxiety during those 2+ weeks was incredibly real - I was literally losing sleep checking my account at random hours. What finally helped was reading through all these experiences and realizing that everyone goes through the exact same timeline and feelings. I ended up creating a simple note on my phone with my approval date so I could stop trying to remember and calculate how long it had been. One tip that really saved my sanity - I started checking my account just once on Tuesday mornings at 8am with my coffee instead of obsessively refreshing throughout the week. Made the whole process so much more manageable! For anyone still in that first payment waiting period, I totally get how stressful it is but everyone here is proof that it really does come through right on schedule. The Tuesday routine is actually kind of comforting once you get into the rhythm! 💙

I've been on NY unemployment since April and have traveled to visit family in different states several times without any issues. Your Thursday-Monday Nevada trip is absolutely fine! The key is exactly what everyone else has said - stay available for work and keep up with your job search requirements. I always make sure to bring my laptop so I can continue applying for jobs and handle any remote interviews that come up. Since most interviews are done via Zoom/phone these days anyway, your physical location for a short visit really doesn't matter as long as you're genuinely available to work. Just be honest when you certify about being ready and able to work (which you clearly are since you can do remote interviews) and document your job applications like you normally would. The NY system definitely understands that people have family obligations and normal life situations. Don't stress about this - enjoy your time with your family! You're being responsible by asking about it beforehand, but based on everyone's experiences here, this is really a non-issue for short domestic trips when you're still actively job searching.

I've been on NY unemployment since December and just wanted to add my voice to all these reassuring experiences! I had a very similar situation last month when I needed to visit my brother in North Carolina for a few days. I was absolutely terrified about messing up my benefits, but it turned out to be completely fine. I brought my laptop, kept up with my daily job applications, and even had a phone interview scheduled for the day I got back. The key really is just being honest about your availability - since you can do remote interviews and would accept a job if offered, you're definitely available for work regardless of which state you're physically in. I love that so many people have shared their positive experiences here because it shows this is actually pretty routine! For your Nevada trip, just document everything like you normally would and enjoy your family time. You've got this! 😊