How do I check the status of my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor?

When you log into my.ny.gov, go to the 'Unemployment Services' section and look for 'View Payment History' and 'Claim Summary'. Your claim status should show as either 'Active', 'Pending', or 'Under Review'. If it says 'Under Review' that usually means adjudication is happening. You can also check if there are any outstanding issues that need your attention in the 'To Do' section.

Been there! The online system doesn't always give you the full picture. If you're in adjudication it can take weeks without any updates showing online. I was stuck for a month before mine got approved.

The NYS Department of Labor phone system is usually swamped but if you really need to talk to someone about your claim status, I recently found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

ugh the waiting is the worst part!! i've been checking my account like 5 times a day lol probably not helping but can't help myself

Make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is under review. That's a common mistake people make - they think they should wait until the claim is approved but you need to keep certifying or you'll lose those weeks.

Another thing to look for in the portal is the "Messages" or "Correspondence" section - sometimes DOL will send you notices there about additional documentation they need or updates on your claim status. I missed an important request for wage verification because I wasn't checking that section regularly. Also, if you see any "weeks held" in your payment history, that's usually a sign there's an issue that needs to be resolved before payments can be released.

Just wanted to add that the mobile app (NYS Department of Labor mobile app) sometimes shows different information than the web portal. I've noticed that payment status updates appear there first sometimes. Also, if you're dealing with a complicated situation like multiple employers or out-of-state wages, the review process can take longer - mine took almost 6 weeks because I had worked in New Jersey before moving to NY. Don't panic if it seems slow, but definitely keep those weekly certifications going like Lincoln mentioned!

I went through this same anxiety a few months ago! One thing that really helped me understand what was happening was looking at the "Issue Summary" section in the portal - it shows if there are any specific flags on your claim that are causing delays. Common ones are "Able and Available" or "Separation Issues" which basically mean they're verifying you're eligible to work and checking the circumstances of how you left your job. Also, if you have direct deposit set up, that's usually processed faster than paper checks once your claim does get approved. The whole process felt like forever but looking back, 2 weeks is still pretty normal timing for the initial review.

One more thing to check - if you're still anxious about the status, you can also call the automated phone system at 1-888-209-8124. It's not as detailed as the online portal but it can give you a quick status update without having to wait on hold for a human agent. Just have your SSN and PIN ready. The automated system will tell you if there are any issues flagged on your claim or if payments have been released. I found it helpful during my waiting period just to get that extra confirmation that things were moving along normally.