Approved for NY unemployment 6 weeks ago but still no payments - need help!

This is actually pretty common with NY unemployment in 2025. When you were approved, did you receive any notifications about identity verification or additional documents needed? Sometimes they approve you conditionally but hold payments until secondary verification clears. Check your message inbox on the portal - there might be a request you missed.

same thing happend to me in december!! approved but no $$ for like 7 weeks. turned out my direct deposit info had a typo in the routing #. double check your payment method in the system, might be something simple like that.

The NY unemployment system has been COMPLETELY BROKEN since they "upgraded" their software in December 2024. I was approved in November and payments were fine, then suddenly stopped after the upgrade. THREE MONTHS of calling and getting nowhere. They owe me over $7,400 now and I'm about to be evicted. The system is DESIGNED to make us give up!!!!!

There are a few things that might be causing this hold-up: 1. Payment method issue - which you've already checked 2. ID verification backlog - even if they don't tell you, this happens 3. Former employer dispute - sometimes employers contest claims after initial approval 4. System flag for potential overpayment from a previous claim 5. Random audit selection (happens to about 8% of claims) In my experience working with claimants, the only way to resolve this is to speak directly with a claims specialist. The regular call center people don't have the authority to release payment holds.

I'm having the exact opposite problem lol...getting paid but never got an approval letter. The system is so random!

After dealing with a similar issue last month, I finally got through to NYSDOL by using Claimyr. It's a service that basically calls for you and holds your place in line, then calls you when an agent is about to pick up. Saved me hours of redial hell. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE When I finally got through, the agent told me my account had a payment block due to a quarterly review flag that wasn't even visible on my portal. They removed it and I got all my backpay within 2 days. Definitely worth speaking to an actual human to resolve this.

Something similar happened to me and it turned out my claim was randomly selected for additional wage verification. The frustrating part was they never sent me a notification about it! When I finally got through to someone (took 3 weeks of calling), they told me they were waiting on additional information from my former employer to verify my wages. Once that was settled, they released all my payments at once. My advice - be persistent with calling. Try calling right when they open at 8am or towards the end of the day around 3:30pm. The wait times seem a bit shorter then.

@ORIGINAL POSTER - did you submit your ID docs through ID.me? Because even though they SAY you're approved, sometimes the ID verification part is still pending. The whole system is designed to confuse us!!

I recommend taking these steps immediately: 1. Try the Claimyr service mentioned above or keep calling at the recommended times until you get through 2. Once you reach someone, ask specifically about payment blocks or holds on your account 3. Request to speak with a claims examiner/specialist if the first agent can't help 4. Get a reference number for your call and the name of anyone you speak with 5. If you don't get resolution within a week, contact your state representative's office Since you've been approved and have been certifying properly, you WILL eventually receive all back payments. The system is overwhelmed right now due to the recent layoffs in the tech sector, but payment holds can be resolved relatively quickly once you reach the right person.

keep us updated on what happens!! i bet once u get thru to someone they'll fix it fast

One more thing to check - log into your NY.gov ID account (not just the unemployment portal) and make sure there are no general notifications or documents there. Sometimes communications get sent to your general NY.gov account rather than appearing in the unemployment portal specifically.