What was your original denial reason? That can affect timing too - if it's a simple eligibility issue vs something more complex like misconduct allegations, the process might be different.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - filed my appeal about 7 weeks ago after getting denied for "voluntary quit" even though I was laid off. Still no hearing notice either. From what I've read on the NYS DOL website, they're supposed to send the hearing notice at least 10 days before your scheduled date, so you might still be in the normal timeframe. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part when you're already stressed about finances. Have you tried creating an online account on the DOL website? Sometimes you can see status updates there before you get anything in the mail.

I'm also waiting for my appeal hearing and it's been about 4 weeks now. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time! It sounds like 6-8 weeks total is pretty normal right now. I've been keeping track of my case status on the NY.gov portal and it still just says "pending review" - has anyone else noticed if that status ever changes before you get the hearing notice? Also wondering if there's any difference in timing between virtual vs in-person hearings, though it sounds like most are virtual now anyway.

I went through this exact same process earlier this year and can share what worked for me. After waiting about 4 weeks with no word, I started calling every morning right at 8 AM when they open - that's when you have the best chance of getting through. It took me about a week of daily calls, but I finally reached someone who could confirm my appeal was in the system and give me a rough timeline. They told me I was in the "scheduling queue" and to expect another 2-3 weeks. Sure enough, I got my hearing notice exactly 3 weeks later. The whole process from appeal to hearing was about 7.5 weeks total. One tip: when you do get your hearing date, prepare thoroughly - organize all your documents, practice your explanation, and test your video setup if it's virtual. The hearing itself was actually less stressful than all the waiting! Hang in there, it will happen eventually.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago. You should definitely qualify with those earnings - I was making similar wages and had no issues. One tip: when you file online, make sure you have your employment dates exact because they use that to determine which quarters count toward your base period. Also, don't stress too much about the calculations - the system does it automatically once you enter your work history. The hardest part is usually just getting through the initial application, not meeting the earnings threshold.

From what I understand, the $3,300 minimum is correct, but there's actually another way to qualify too. You can meet the earnings requirement if you earned at least $2,200 in one quarter AND your total base period earnings are at least 1.5 times your highest quarter. So if you made $2,200+ in your best quarter and your total was at least $3,300, you'd qualify either way. With $15/hour and 25-30 hours weekly for 8 months, you should easily clear both thresholds. The NYS DOL website has a benefit calculator tool that can give you an estimate before you file your actual claim.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and it's absolutely nerve-wracking! My claim was pending for almost 4 weeks before it got resolved. What helped me was documenting everything - I kept screenshots of my claim status, saved copies of all my weekly certifications, and wrote down every phone call attempt with timestamps. When I finally got through to someone (took about 50+ call attempts over several days), they were able to see that my former employer had disputed something about my separation reason. Once that got cleared up, all my back payments came through within a few days. The key is to stay persistent with the phone calls and keep filing your weekly claims no matter what. I know it's easier said than done when you're stressed about bills, but hang in there - it will get resolved eventually.

I'm dealing with the same pending issues nightmare right now - going on week 3 with no resolution in sight. What's really frustrating is that the NYS Department of Labor website doesn't give you ANY specifics about what they're actually reviewing. I've tried calling hundreds of times and can never get through. The worst part is watching my savings drain while waiting for them to figure out whatever mystery issue they're investigating. I've been diligent about filing my weekly certifications but it feels like I'm just going through the motions at this point. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because rent is due next week and I'm starting to panic about my finances.

Yeah definitely file right away. I made the mistake of thinking I should wait and see if I could find another job first. Bad idea - you're just losing time and potentially money. The NYS Department of Labor wants you to file as soon as you're unemployed.

Just to add some clarity - in NY you should file your initial unemployment claim immediately after losing your job, but there's still a 7-day waiting period before you receive your first benefit payment. This waiting period starts from your first day of unemployment, not from when you file. So if you were laid off yesterday, that counts as day 1 of your waiting period. You'll still need to certify for benefits during that first week even though you won't get paid for it. The key is getting your claim started ASAP so there are no unnecessary delays in the process.