I went through this same situation about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my marketing job. My claim was pending for exactly 3 weeks before it got approved. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications like others mentioned - that saved me from losing any back pay. I also recommend checking your online account every few days to see if any new documents or information are requested, even though it sounds like you're already doing that. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking but layoffs due to budget cuts are usually pretty straightforward for them to verify.

I'm in a very similar boat - filed my claim 8 days ago after being laid off and still stuck in pending status. It's really frustrating not having any clear timeline or communication from NYS DOL about what's happening behind the scenes. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, but that @Andre Dupont mention of claimyr.com is interesting - has anyone else tried that service to actually get through to speak with someone? The phone system seems completely overwhelmed and I'm wondering if there are better ways to get updates on claim status.

I feel your pain! Just went through this nightmare myself last month. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the main number (1-888-209-8124) every single day at exactly 8:00 AM when they opened. It took me about 12 days of this routine, but I finally got through to a human. The key is persistence and timing - avoid calling during lunch hours or late in the day when volume is highest. Also, when you do get through to the automated system, don't hang up if you get the "call back later" message right away. Sometimes if you wait a few minutes, it will actually put you in a queue. Keep trying different days of the week too - I had better luck on Wednesday mornings. Hang in there, you'll get through eventually!

OMG I could have written this post myself! I've been going through the exact same torture for the past week and a half. That stupid automated message plays in my nightmares at this point 😭 I've literally tried calling over 40 times at different hours and NOTHING. The system is absolutely broken and it feels intentional at this point. One thing I discovered though - if you call and get that message, don't hang up immediately. Sometimes if you wait like 30-45 seconds it will actually say something different or give you menu options. It's rare but it happened to me twice (though I still didn't get through to a person). Also saw people mentioning Claimyr and I'm honestly tempted to try it at this point because I'm running out of options and patience. Has anyone else here actually used it successfully? I'm usually skeptical of these services but desperate times... Hang in there @Omar Hassan - we're all in this nightmare together!

Just want to add that even if your injury heals and you become able to work again, you could potentially file for unemployment at that point if you're having trouble finding a new job. But right now while you're medically unable to work, disability benefits are your best bet. Hope your back heals up soon!

This is such an important distinction that more people need to understand! I work in benefits administration and see this confusion all the time. Just to clarify a few key points: 1) New York State Disability Benefits (DBL) is actually a state-mandated program that most employees pay into through payroll deductions - check your paystubs for "DBL" deductions. 2) You can apply for NYS disability online at wcb.ny.gov if you've been unable to work for more than 7 days due to your injury. 3) The benefit is typically 50% of your average weekly wage up to a cap. 4) You'll need your doctor to complete disability paperwork. Don't let your savings drain while you're figuring this out - if you've been paying into the system, you're likely entitled to these benefits!

Any update? Did your claim appear in the system yet?

So glad to see you got it sorted out! This thread is going to be super helpful for anyone else who runs into this same issue. The NY DOL system definitely has its quirks, but at least now we know that 2-3 business day processing delay is normal for new claims filed on Fridays. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

just keep filing ur weekly claims thats the main thing, even if its not approved yet u can still get backpay

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 2 weeks ago after my company did layoffs and still waiting for approval. From what I've read on the NYS DOL website, they're currently experiencing higher than normal claim volumes which is causing delays. 10 days is still within the normal processing window, so I wouldn't panic yet. The important thing is to keep doing your weekly certifications like others mentioned. You might also want to double-check that all your employer information was entered correctly when you filed, since any discrepancies can slow down the verification process.