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once you get the card you'll need to activate it online or by phone. there's instructions that come with it. and heads up the PIN they give you is temporary so change it right away to something you'll remember
Just wanted to add that you can also track your payment status through the my.ny.gov portal under "Unemployment Services" - it shows exactly when your payment moves from pending to released. I found this helpful because I could see the progression rather than just waiting and wondering. Once it shows as released, the card typically arrives within that 5-7 business day window that Diego mentioned. Also double-check that you certified for your weekly benefits correctly as any issues there can delay the payment release.
That's really helpful about tracking through my.ny.gov! I didn't know you could see the status progression there. I'll check that instead of just waiting around. Quick question - when you say "certified for weekly benefits correctly," what exactly should I be looking out for? I want to make sure I didn't mess anything up that could be causing the delay from pending to released.
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!
@Omar Zaki Thanks for sharing your experience! That s'really good advice about filing right away. I m'curious - when you filed, did you have any issues with the transition from active duty pay to unemployment benefits? Like was there any gap in income or did it flow pretty smoothly once approved? Also wondering if the VA counselors helped you navigate any other veteran-specific benefits while you were job hunting.
@Omar Zaki That s'such valuable advice about filing immediately! I made the same mistake of waiting when I transitioned out of the Navy last year. Did you run into any complications with the DD-214 verification process? Mine took almost 3 weeks to get verified through the system, which delayed everything. Also, for anyone reading this - if you re'still active duty and getting close to separation, start gathering all your LES statements now. Having everything organized made the application so much smoother once I finally got around to filing.
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.
@Sunny Wang For the application, they typically want your total military compensation broken down to a weekly amount. So take your monthly gross pay including (BAH, BAS, and any other allowances and) divide by 4.33 to get the weekly amount. Don t'worry about the bi-weekly pay schedule - they just need the weekly equivalent. The One-Stop Centers are definitely worth visiting! The staff there helped me make sure I included all the right documentation and walked me through exactly how to report my military earnings. Much easier than trying to figure it out online by yourself.
@Ethan Wilson This is really helpful advice! I m'actually about to separate from the Air Force next month and had no idea about the One-Stop Career Centers having veteran-specific staff. That sounds way better than trying to navigate the online system alone. Do you happen to know if they can help with the initial application filing, or is it more for guidance and document review? I want to make sure I get everything right from the start since I keep hearing horror stories about claims getting delayed for weeks due to simple mistakes.
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 got approved this week too and switched to direct deposit immediately after reading this thread! It's such a relief to see everyone's consistent timeline experiences - really takes the anxiety out of waiting. The split payment explanation has been a game changer for understanding how this all works. I'm on day 3 of waiting myself, so hopefully both our cards show up soon. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences and helping each other navigate this confusing system! Hope everything works out smoothly for you 🤞 @e7050d380bc7
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 feel you on the stress! Two weeks is still within the normal timeframe though. From what I've read here and experienced myself, most claims take 2-4 weeks to process initially. The "under review" status is pretty standard - it doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. Try to hang in there, and maybe keep checking the portal every few days for updates.
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.
This is really helpful information about constructive dismissal - I hadn't thought about it that way! I do have some pay stubs showing the dramatic drop in hours, and I think I still have the text messages from my manager about the schedule changes. Should I upload these documents somewhere in the system now, or wait until they ask for them? I don't want to seem like I'm overcomplicating things, but I also want to be prepared if they do contact my old employer.
Ella Lewis
same boat here!! got laid off from my restaurant job and hoping unemployment covers at least my rent. this whole thing is so stressful
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Natasha Petrova
•I totally get the stress! The uncertainty is the worst part. Just make sure to file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting week before benefits start. Also, even if unemployment doesn't cover everything, it's better than nothing while you're job searching. Hang in there!
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Aisha Khan
Just went through this process myself! At $65k annually, you're looking at roughly $1,250 per week before taxes. In NY, you'll likely hit the maximum weekly benefit of $504 since the formula caps out around that level for higher earners. The good news is that overtime definitely counts - they look at ALL wages reported during your base period. One tip: file your claim online at ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a one-week waiting period before payments begin. Also keep detailed records of your job search activities since NY requires you to document your work search efforts. The process can be overwhelming but the benefits do help bridge the gap while you're looking for your next opportunity!
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Katherine Shultz
•This is super helpful info! I'm in a similar situation and had no idea about the work search documentation requirement. Do you know how many job search activities we need to log per week in NY? And is there a specific format they want or can we just keep our own records?
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