Filed for back payment with NY unemployment and now waiting... how long before they contact me?

Same thing happened to me. I waited for like 4 weeks before I heard anything back. Then they reached out through the message center asking for more info (of course). Then another 2-3 weeks after that to get the money. The system is a total mess.

After trying for weeks to get someone on the phone with no luck, I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an agent in less than an hour. The agent resolved my backpay issue in one call. Best money I ever spent considering I was owed thousands in back benefits. They have a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

KEEP CALLING THEM. Don't wait for them to contact you. Their system is so backlogged that your case can easily get lost. Call everyday if you have to.

omg this exact situation happened to me in April. It took them about 3 weeks to contact me after the backpay forms were filed. But here's the kicker - they contacted me through the message center at like 11pm on a friday night! So check your messages at weird hours too.

I've been through this whole process and have some advice based on my experience dealing with NY unemployment backpay issues: First, document EVERYTHING. Every call, the name of who you spoke with, date, time, and what was discussed. This helps when you inevitably have to explain your situation multiple times. Second, don't just wait. Their standard line is always "wait to be contacted" but being proactive usually gets faster results. Try calling early in the morning (7:30am right when they open) for best chances of getting through. Third, use the message center in your online account to follow up. Sometimes they respond faster there than by phone. Fourth, if you're getting desperate and can't reach anyone, I highly recommend using claimyr.com - it's a service that waits on hold for you and connects you when an actual human picks up. Absolute lifesaver when I needed to resolve my backpay issues. Fifth, check if your state rep has an unemployment assistance program. I emailed my assemblyman's office and they were able to escalate my case. Lastly, be persistent but polite with the agents. They deal with angry people all day, so being the calm, organized person can sometimes get you better service. Good luck! The system is frustrating but eventually you'll get your money.

Took about 2-3 weeks for me, then got all my money at once. Hang in there 👍

Don't count on them contacting you. I waited 2 months and nothing happened until I called and raised hell. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with ny unemployment.

does anyone know if theres a form number or specific name for the backpay form? when i called the agent was all vague about what they were submitting and i wanna make sure they actually did it right

i waited 5 weeks then got a message saying they needed MORE information. then waited another 3 weeks. then got a letter saying they couldnt verify my identity (wtf??). had to call AGAIN. finally got paid 3 months after the initial call about my backpay. the entire system is designed to make you give up i swear

Check your spam folder in email too! They sent me a critical message that went to spam and I almost missed the deadline to respond.

You need to be calling them everyday. I was in ur exact situation and waited 6 weeks for them to 'contact me' and nothing ever happened. Found out later my case was just sitting there and nobody was working on it. The system is broken AF.

Call ur state assembly person!!!! They can escalate ur case with unemployment. It's literally their job to help with stuff like this. Google '[your area] NY state assembly' to find urs. My case was resolved in 10 days after being stuck for months.

pro tip: when you do get someone on the phone, ask for their direct extension or employee ID. makes follow-ups way easier if you can reference who you spoke with before.

lmaoooo they told me the same thing in March. 'We'll contact you.' Still waiting 🤡 NY unemployment is a joke

my timeline if it helps: form submitted May 2, got message in portal May 17 asking for pay stubs, sent those same day, money appeared in account May 24. so about 3 weeks total from form to payment.

they're lying to you man. nobody is going to 'contact you'. you have to keep calling and bothering them until they fix it.

NY DOL is the worst. Been dealing with them since 2022 and it never gets better. Their favorite line is 'wait to be contacted' which is code for 'we're putting your case at the bottom of the pile and hoping you forget about it'.