Got a call about NY unemployment backpay after faxing letter - what to expect?

congrats! when i got my backpay call they said 3 weeks and it showed up in 10 days so maybe ull get it faster. make sure u check ur payment history on the website everyday

This is a good sign! When a NYSDOL representative gives you a specific timeframe for backpay after reviewing documentation you submitted, it generally means they've processed your claim and authorized the payment. The 2-week timeframe is fairly standard as it accounts for processing time and payment issuance. A few things to know: 1. Your backpay will typically appear in your payment history 1-2 days before hitting your bank account or debit card 2. You may receive separate deposits if the backpay covers different benefit periods 3. The payment history will show effective dates for each payment I recommend taking screenshots of your payment history once payments start appearing, just for your records.

I went through something similar in January 2025. They told me 2 weeks after reviewing my faxed documents, but it actually took closer to 3 weeks. What worked for me was checking the "Payment History" section of my online account daily - that's where you'll see it first before it hits your bank account. One thing to watch for: sometimes they release backpay in chunks rather than all at once, especially if it covers multiple certification periods. Don't panic if you only see partial payment at first.

DONT GET YOUR HOPES UP!! They told me 2 weeks for my backpay in December and Im STILL waiting!!! 4 months later!!! Every time I call they give me the runaround saying "its processing" or "its been escalated" but NOTHING HAPPENS!!! The system is BROKEN!!! They just tell you what you want to hear.

After dealing with similar backpay issues for MONTHS, I finally got through to someone who could actually help by using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It let me skip the phone queue and I got a real person in about 10 minutes who could see exactly where my backpay was stuck and fixed it on the spot. You can see how it works in their demo: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE If your backpay doesn't show up in the timeframe they promised, I'd recommend using this rather than waiting another month trying to get through the regular phone lines. It saved me literally weeks of stress.

When exactly did you fax your letter? And what kind of documentation did they request from you? I'm in a similar situation waiting for backpay but haven't been told to fax anything yet. I'm wondering if I should be proactive and send something? The waiting is making me so anxious I can barely sleep.

i just got my backpay last month after waiting since november. they told me 2 weeks too and it took exactly 13 days to hit my account. but my friend had to wait 6 weeks even tho they told her 10 days so i think it depends on how complicated your case is and who handles it. better to prepare for it to take longer just in case.

Make sure to continue certifying for benefits weekly while waiting for your backpay. Sometimes people stop certifying when they're focusing on getting backpay issues resolved, but you should keep claiming any current weeks you're eligible for. Also, when your backpay does arrive, check that the amounts match what you're expecting. The withholding rates and benefit amounts should be consistent with your regular payments. If you notice any discrepancies, contact them immediately.

btw did they tell u the exact amount ur getting? sometimes they adjust it from what ur expecting

If your backpay doesn't arrive within the specified timeframe, don't panic immediately. The NYS Department of Labor has a standard resolution timeframe, but occasionally there can be short delays, especially at month-end or during periods of high claim volume. It's reasonable to follow up if it exceeds the 2-week timeframe by more than 3 business days. When the backpay is processed, you'll receive an email notification to check your account. This typically happens before the funds appear in your bank account.

Did they tell you which specific weeks were approved for backpay? I'm worried because my situation involves some weeks where I worked part-time and I'm not sure if they'll calculate it correctly. Should I call them again to make sure they have the right information about my work hours for those weeks? I'm so stressed about them potentially overpaying me and then asking for it back later.