I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My hold was removed on Monday and I'm still waiting to see any payments come through. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like it could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The inconsistency is what's driving me crazy. Like some of you mentioned, it seems totally random whether you get an agent who can actually help or one who just gives you the runaround. I'm going to take the advice about calling back to ask specifically about the "release code" and whether they've actually triggered the payment release (not just removed the hold). Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it helps to know I'm not alone in this mess. Will update this thread when my payments finally come through in case it helps anyone else! 🤞

Just went through this exact same thing last month! The waiting after they say "hold removed" is honestly the worst part because you have no idea if it's actually processing or if something else went wrong. In my case, it took exactly 5 business days from when they told me the hold was lifted to when I actually saw money in my account. But here's what I learned - there's apparently a difference between "removing the hold" and actually "releasing the payments for processing." Some agents do both steps at once, others forget the second part. When you call back (and definitely do call back if you don't see anything by Thursday/Friday), ask them specifically: 1. Has the hold been removed? (sounds like yes for you) 2. Has the payment release been processed/triggered? 3. What's the status of your payment queue? Also keep an eye on your payment history in the online portal - sometimes it'll show "released" there before it hits your bank account, which at least gives you peace of mind that it's moving through the system. The good news is once it starts flowing, all your backpay should come through pretty quickly. I got 7 weeks worth all at once. Stay strong, you're almost there! 💪

Just keep calling. I finally got through yesterday after 47 attempts over 3 days. The agent said they're seeing a lot of backdate requests right now so there might be delays in processing even if you qualify.

I successfully backdated my claim last month after being laid off in November but not filing until mid-December. The key thing that helped me was having documentation showing I was actively job searching during the gap - I saved screenshots of job applications, emails from potential employers, and kept a log of networking calls I made. When I finally got through to speak with someone (took about 8 days of calling), they were able to approve the backdate because I could prove I was genuinely looking for work and wasn't just ignoring my unemployment situation. Make sure you have your termination paperwork ready and any evidence that shows you were trying to find employment during those 5 weeks.

the whole system is designed to make it as difficult as possible to get benefits. they hope you'll just give up and find a job before they have to pay you anything. but stick with it, you paid into this system and you deserve the benefits

Just wanted to add that if you're filing online (which I highly recommend), make sure to do it during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening. The NYS DOL website tends to crash or run really slowly during business hours when everyone is trying to access it. I learned this the hard way when I kept getting timed out halfway through my application. Also, save your progress frequently if the system allows it - nothing worse than having to start over because the site kicked you off. The online system is available 24/7 so there's no rush to do it during the busiest times.

Just want to add that I've seen these phishing emails getting more sophisticated lately. They're now using official-looking letterheads, correct formatting, and even referencing real unemployment programs. The key things to always check: 1) Email domain must be .ny.gov, 2) They'll never ask you to re-verify info they already have, 3) No legitimate government agency creates urgent 72-hour deadlines via email. When in doubt, always go directly to the official website and log into your account - if there's really an issue, it'll show up in your secure messages there. Stay safe everyone!

Adding to what everyone else has said - I work in cybersecurity and these unemployment phishing scams have gotten incredibly sophisticated since COVID. The scammers often harvest partial info from data breaches to make their emails seem more legitimate (like having your name or partial address). They're banking on people being desperate and panicked about losing benefits. A few other red flags to watch for: urgent language with tight deadlines, requests to "verify" info they already have on file, and links that don't go to official .ny.gov domains. Always navigate to the official site independently rather than clicking email links. If you ever need to get through to a real person quickly, I've heard good things about services like claimyr that can bypass the phone queue nightmare. Stay vigilant out there!

Don't panic yet! A week is pretty normal for processing. I got laid off from my restaurant job in March and it took about 10 days before I saw 'approved' in my account. Then I had to wait for the debit card to arrive before I could access any money. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval - you can backdate them but it's easier to stay current.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim about 8 days ago and still seeing "claim processing" status. From what I've read on the NYS DOL website, initial claims can take up to 3 weeks to process depending on their current volume. The key thing is to keep checking your my.ny.gov account and make sure you're certified for benefits each week even while waiting for approval. I've also heard that if they need any additional documentation, they'll request it through your online account rather than calling, so definitely check for any messages or requests in there. Trying to stay patient but it's definitely nerve-wracking when you're counting on that income!