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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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The unemployment system is such a mess though! FUTA has been around since the 1930s and we're still dealing with outdated systems and impossible phone lines. Sure, it funds the benefits, but what good is that when people can't even get through to NYS Department of Labor to file their weekly claims or resolve adjudication issues? The whole thing needs an overhaul.
True, the technology is definitely behind the times. But at least the funding mechanism works - most people do eventually get their benefits.
FUTA was actually created during the Great Depression as part of the Social Security Act of 1935. It's designed to provide a federal backstop for state unemployment programs - so when states like New York run low on unemployment funds during recessions, the federal government can provide loans. The 6% federal tax rate Theodore mentioned can be reduced to 0.6% if states meet federal requirements, which is why most employers end up paying much less in FUTA than the headline rate suggests. It's really about creating a nationwide safety net that operates through state programs like NYS Department of Labor.
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Wait, I thought if you got fired you couldn't get unemployment? My friend told me only people who get laid off can collect benefits. Now I'm wondering if I missed out when I got fired from my restaurant job six months ago...
That's a really common misconception! You can absolutely get benefits if you're fired, as long as it wasn't for serious misconduct like stealing or violence. Even things like tardiness or poor performance usually qualify you. Your friend was wrong about that - you should have applied!
@Mateo Perez - definitely apply right away! The fact that you were fired right after requesting medical time off is a huge red flag and could actually work in your favor. New York has strong protections for employees who need medical leave. When you file your claim, make sure to mention the timeline - that you requested medical time off and were suddenly fired for "performance issues" with no prior warnings. Document everything you can remember about the situation. Even if they initially deny your claim, you have a strong case for appeal. Don't let them intimidate you out of filing - you've been paying into this system and you deserve these benefits when you need them.
This is really good advice! The timing of your firing right after requesting medical leave definitely sounds suspicious. I'd also suggest keeping records of any texts, emails, or documentation from when you requested the time off. If you have anything in writing that shows you followed proper procedures for requesting medical leave, that could really help your case. The fact that you had no prior write-ups after 8 months makes their "performance issues" claim look pretty weak too.
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I just wanted to follow up - were you able to resolve this issue? Based on your situation, it sounds like either: 1. A standard processing delay (most likely) 2. A hold on the new card by KeyBank 3. A payment method discrepancy in the system If calling KeyBank didn't resolve it, you should definitely contact NYSDOL directly as they can verify exactly where the payments were sent. This situation is fairly common with new cards.
Update: Problem solved! I called KeyBank this morning and it turns out they had a security hold on the card since it was newly activated. They verified my identity and released the funds - money showed up about 3 hours later. Thanks everyone for your help!
Glad to hear you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always recommend calling KeyBank first when there are issues with new unemployment cards. They put security holds on probably 50% of new activations, especially for larger amounts like yours. For anyone else reading this thread with similar issues - the KeyBank number is usually much easier to get through to than NYSDOL, and they can resolve card-specific problems immediately. Thanks for updating us with the solution!
This is really helpful advice! I'm new to this community and dealing with unemployment for the first time. It's good to know that KeyBank security holds are so common - I would have probably panicked and assumed something was wrong with my claim. The tip about calling KeyBank first instead of trying to reach NYSDOL makes a lot of sense too since they seem impossible to get through to. Thanks for sharing this insight for future people who might run into the same issue!
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UPDATE: I managed to get through to someone on the phone today! Had to try Claimyr like someone suggested above, and it worked. The agent confirmed my license + health insurance card is enough for verification. She also explained that the system message about "all of the hundred" was actually referring to my weekly benefit amount being approved (it's $865). The payment is pending until identity verification completes, which should be in the next 3-5 business days. Such a relief to finally get answers!
Great news! Glad you got it sorted out. Just make sure you continue certifying each week while waiting for the verification to complete. When they finally approve everything, you should receive all back payments for properly certified weeks in one lump sum.
That's awesome that you got through and got some clarity! For anyone else still struggling with this - I went through the same identity verification nightmare back in December. What finally worked for me was uploading my driver's license AND a recent bank statement (within 30 days) together in one submission. The key is making sure both documents show your full legal name exactly as it appears on your unemployment application. Also, scan or photo the documents in good lighting - blurry images get automatically rejected. The whole process took about 7 business days after I uploaded the right combo of documents. Hang in there everyone, it's frustrating but it does eventually work out!
Shelby Bauman
Just to clarify since there seems to be some confusion - the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) rate that employers pay is 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, but they get credits that usually bring it down to 0.6%. That's completely separate from how your benefits are taxed when you receive them. Your UI benefits are taxed as ordinary income at whatever your regular federal tax rate is.
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Raj Gupta
Thanks everyone for the helpful explanations! I'm in a similar boat - received unemployment benefits last year and didn't realize I should have set up withholding. For anyone else reading this, I found that the NYS Department of Labor website has a tax withholding calculator that can help estimate how much you might owe. Also, if you can't afford to pay the full amount at once, the IRS does offer payment plans. Definitely learned my lesson for this year - already set up the 10% federal withholding on my current claims.
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