UPDATE: Great news! My friend just called me - all the backpay hit his account this morning! It took exactly 4 days after he got the letter. Everything was included from his application date (minus the waiting week like someone mentioned). Thanks again for all the help and reassurance!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently in week 5 of waiting after applying in July and haven't received any payments yet. Reading about everyone's experiences gives me hope that the backpay will eventually come through. I've been certifying every week and my payment history shows all weeks as "certified" so it sounds like I'm doing everything right. Just need to keep being patient I guess! Thanks for sharing your friend's story and especially for coming back with the update - it really helps to know the timeline once approval happens.

Just to add - if it goes beyond 4 weeks without any communication from NYS Department of Labor, that's when I'd recommend trying to contact them directly. Sometimes claims get stuck in adjudication if there's any question about your separation reason, even for layoffs. But 10 days is still well within the normal processing window.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 8 days ago and still showing pending. It's reassuring to hear that 2-4 weeks is normal, though I wish they were more transparent about the process. @Sophie, have you tried logging into your my.ny.gov account to see if there are any messages or requests for additional info? Sometimes they post updates there before sending emails. Hang in there!

The adjudication process exists for a reason - they need to verify eligibility and work history. While I understand the frustration, most legitimate claims do get approved eventually. Make sure you've submitted all required documentation and continue filing your weekly claims even during adjudication. Contact your local social services office about emergency assistance programs while you wait.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - losing your housing due to unemployment delays is incredibly stressful and shouldn't happen. In addition to the county assistance programs others mentioned, you might want to reach out to 211 (dial 2-1-1) for a comprehensive list of local resources including emergency housing assistance, food banks, and utility help. Also, document everything about your unemployment claim delays - dates you called, reference numbers, etc. This could be helpful if you need to escalate your case or seek legal assistance. Some legal aid organizations help with unemployment issues for free. Hang in there, and don't feel ashamed about staying with family - you're dealing with a system failure, not a personal one.

same thing happened to me - got fired then filed like the next day. no problems at all, claim was approved pretty quick

Don't overthink it - just file today! I was in a similar situation where I was terminated for "performance" but really suspected retaliation. The NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are pretty good at seeing through bogus termination reasons, especially if you have documentation of your safety complaints. The worst thing you can do is wait and lose out on benefits while you're trying to decide. You can always provide additional evidence later if they contest the claim. Good luck!

UPDATE: My payment finally processed! It took 6 business days instead of the usual 2-3. When I checked my account this morning, the status had changed from 'pending' to 'processed' and the money was in my bank account about 2 hours later. Looks like it was just a delay in their system processing. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

I'm dealing with something similar right now - certified on Monday and it's been 4 business days with no payment. My status also shows 'pending' but after reading through this thread I'm feeling more optimistic that it's just the system delays everyone is mentioning. It's frustrating because I budget around getting my payment within 2-3 days like usual. @Asher glad yours finally came through! Hopefully mine processes tomorrow or Friday. This is really helpful info for anyone else experiencing delays.