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Natasha Kuznetsova

DUA MA claim on hold for 1+ month, no verification letter or payment. What to do?

I've been filing unemployment claims for over a month now, but I haven't received any verification letter, talked to a claims adjuster, or gotten any payments. My online account says the claim is current but on hold. I'm not sure what that means or if I need to provide more info. I've been calling every day but can't get through to a real person. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice on what to do next?

Ugh, I feel your pain. I was in the same boat last year. Have you tried contacting your former employer's HR department? Sometimes there's a discrepancy with the severance details that can hold things up.

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That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. I'll reach out to them and see if they can clarify anything. Thanks!

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Yeah, def check with HR. My claim was on hold for weeks cuz my employer reported my last day wrong 🙄

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Pro tip: Try emailing the claims adjuster through the online portal. I did this and got a response within a few days. Here's a template you can use: Subject: Inquiry About Claim Hold Dear Claims Adjuster, I'm writing about my unemployment claim that's been on hold. I've submitted all required documents and would like to confirm if any additional information is needed. Could you please review my case and advise on next steps? Thank you for your help. Best regards, [Your Name]

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This is super helpful, thank you! I'll definitely try this approach.

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I tried something similar and it worked! Got my claim processed within a week after that.

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Have you considered doing a walk-in at the unemployment office? Sometimes face-to-face interactions can speed things up.

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I have an appointment scheduled for next month, but maybe I'll try a walk-in before then. Thanks for the suggestion!

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Be prepared to wait ALL day if you do a walk-in. Bring snacks and a fully charged phone lol

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Hey, just a heads up - check if your former employer has made any unexpected charges related to benefits. I had a similar situation where my employer charged me over $4k for "benefit changes" after I left. It messed with my unemployment claim.

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Oh wow, that's concerning. I'll definitely look into that. Did you manage to resolve it?

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Yeah, it took some back-and-forth with HR, but we got it sorted. Make sure to get everything in writing!

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I found a method to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/ok4BhTU0_EI

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Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit?

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I was skeptical too, but it really worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration.

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20 bucks tho? 🤔 Idk if I wanna pay just to talk to someone...

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I get it, but for me, it was worth it to finally get my issue resolved. Time is money, ya know? 🤷‍♂️

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Listen up, folks. I've been through this rodeo before, so here's the deal: 1. Document EVERYTHING. Every call, email, letter - keep a record. 2. Use the online portal as much as possible. It creates a paper trail. 3. If you have to call, try early morning or late afternoon. Less traffic. 4. Reach out to your local state representative. They can sometimes expedite things. 5. Check if there are any current system issues or backlogs announced on the unemployment office website. 6. Join Facebook groups or forums specific to your state's unemployment. They often have insider tips. 7. Be patient but persistent. The system is overwhelmed, but your claim will get processed eventually. Hang in there, everyone. This too shall pass. 💪

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This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out!

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Solid advice right here 👆 Wish I had known all this when I first filed.

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have u tried turning it off and on again? 🤣🤣🤣 jk jk... but srsly, the unemployment system is a joke rn 🤡

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I'm in the exact same situation! It's been 6 weeks for me. This is so frustrating. How are we supposed to pay bills?

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ikr? its like they forget were actual ppl with real bills. hang in there fam 😔

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Has anyone had luck with contacting their state representative? I've heard mixed things.

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I reached out to mine last month. Their office was actually super helpful! Got my claim unstuck within a week.

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Mileage may vary. I tried and just got a generic response. 🙄

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I went through this exact same thing earlier this year. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. File a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office online. They have a specific form for unemployment issues and they actually follow up. 2. Try calling the DUA callback system at 877-626-6800. You can request a callback instead of waiting on hold for hours. 3. Send a certified letter to the DUA director outlining your situation with timeline and case number. Sometimes physical mail gets more attention than online submissions. 4. If you're really desperate, try the LiveChat feature on the DUA website during off-peak hours (like 7-8am). It's hit or miss but I've seen people get through. The hold usually means they need to verify something - could be your identity, work history, or reason for separation. Once you get through to someone, ask specifically what's causing the hold so you can address it directly. Don't give up! It took me 8 weeks but I eventually got all my back pay. The system is broken but squeaky wheels do get greased eventually.

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I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - been waiting 3 weeks with my claim on hold. From what I've gathered from other threads and talking to people who've been through this, the "on hold" status usually means they need to verify something but the system is just really backed up right now. A few things that might help while you're waiting: - Check if you can upload any additional documents through the portal (even if they haven't specifically requested them) - Keep filing your weekly claims even though you're not getting paid - this is super important for when it gets resolved - Try calling right when they open (8am) - I've had slightly better luck getting through then The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you have bills to pay. But from what I've seen, most people do eventually get their claims processed and receive back pay for all the weeks they were on hold. Hang in there! 💪

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This is really reassuring to hear! I'm new to this whole process and wasn't sure if I should keep filing weekly claims while on hold. Thanks for clarifying that - I'll definitely make sure to keep doing that. The 8am tip is gold too, I've been trying random times throughout the day. Question though - when you say upload additional documents, what kind of stuff should I be looking for? I submitted everything they initially asked for but maybe there's something I missed?

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I'm going through something similar right now - my claim has been on hold for about 3 weeks. One thing that helped me was creating a detailed timeline of everything I submitted and when, then cross-referencing it with what they might need. Also, I found out through a friend who works in government that sometimes the hold can be triggered by something as simple as your employer filing their response late or incorrectly. It's not always something you did wrong. Have you tried checking the "Messages" section in your online account? Sometimes they send notifications there that don't get emailed to you. I missed an important message for almost a week because I wasn't checking that section regularly. The whole system is definitely overwhelmed right now, but I've been told by multiple people that once it gets resolved, the back pay comes through pretty quickly. Still doesn't help with the bills right now though! 😕

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Oh wow, I had no idea about checking the Messages section separately! I've just been relying on email notifications this whole time. Just logged in and checked - sure enough, there was a message from 2 weeks ago asking for additional wage verification that I completely missed. No wonder my claim has been stuck! Thanks so much for this tip, you might have just saved me weeks more of waiting. Going to submit those documents right now. 🙏

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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was absolutely maddening! My claim was on hold for almost 7 weeks with zero communication. Here's what finally broke it loose for me: I ended up filing a formal complaint through the Department of Labor's website. There's a specific section for unemployment claim issues and they actually have staff dedicated to following up on these complaints. Within 3 days of filing the complaint, I got a call from a claims adjuster who walked me through exactly what was holding up my case (turned out my former employer had disputed my reason for leaving but never notified me). Also, don't stop filing your weekly claims! I made that mistake for 2 weeks thinking "what's the point" and it actually delayed my back pay even more when everything got sorted out. One more thing - if you have any documentation from your job separation (termination letter, layoff notice, resignation email, etc.), make sure it's uploaded to your account. Sometimes they need to verify the circumstances even if you think you already provided everything. The system is definitely broken right now but hang in there. Once it gets resolved, the back pay should come through within a week or two. I ended up getting almost $4,000 in back benefits once my hold was lifted.

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This is super helpful! I didn't know about filing a complaint through the Department of Labor website - that sounds way more effective than just calling endlessly. Can you share what specific section you used for the complaint? I want to make sure I'm filing it in the right place. Also really glad to hear you got your back pay eventually, that gives me hope! The $4,000 back benefits must have been such a relief after all that waiting and stress.

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